The Golden Slipper Stakes is a Group 1 race for two-year-old thoroughbred horses held annually at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney. Taking place on turf over a distance of 1,200 metres it is Australia’s leading race in its category and the richest in the world. Part of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, it is held on the first Saturday in April with set weights – colts and geldings at 54kg, and fillies at 51kg. Being one of the Sydney Turf Club’s premier meetings, and showcasing rising stars of the track, the Golden Slipper stakes carries a purse of $3.5 million.
To note form of the contenders, notable lead up races include the Group 2 Reisling Slipper Trial and Magic Night Stakes for the fillies, and the Group 2 Todman Slipper Trial and Pago Pago Stakes for the colts and geldings.
Golden Slipper Stakes Information
- Date: First Saturday in April
- Carnival: Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival
- Racecourse: Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney
- Distance: 1,200m
- Race Type: 2YO – Set Weights
- Group Listing: Group 1
- Prize Money: $3.5 million
Golden Slipper History
The first Golden Slipper Stakes took place in 1957 and was taken out by the expected winner, colt Todmanby Star Kingdom, in a field of 11. In 2009 the date of the event changed to take place every year on the first Saturday of April whereas in 2008 it was held four weeks after Easter in mid-April. Prior to 2008, the Golden Slipper Stakes had been held annually on the Saturday before Good Friday to correlate with the Golden Slipper Carnival Series.
The Golden Slipper Stakes became a Group 1 event in 1979, with Century Miss walking away the winner. Magic Night was the first filly to win the event in 1961 defeating Young Brolga, with other recognisable names in the races history being Guineas (1997), Belle de Jour (2000) and Miss Finland (2006).
