Challenge stakes
Conducted by the Australian Jockey Club (AJC) the Challenge Stakes is a Group 2 weight-for-age thoroughbred race run at the esteemed Royal Randwick Racecourse in early March each year as part of Sydney’s Autumn Carnival.
Held on the same day as the prestigious Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m), the Challenge Stakes is a sprint feature run over 1000m and has $150, 000 in stakes on offer.
Runners may have previously contested other Group 2 weight-for-age features held at Sydney during the autumn carnival including the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) in early February or the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) three weeks earlier at Rosehill.
The Challenge Stakes is the perfect lead-up event for horses on the path to the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m), which is another weight-for-age event held at Rosehill Gardens three weeks later. Or, for genuine sprinters only the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Australian Derby Day is often the follow-up race of choice for Challenge Stakes runners.
History:
The Challenge Stakes was first run in 1906 and won by The Pet. The event has run every year since and gained its current Group 2 status in 1979 after originating as a Principal race.
A number of top sprinters have claimed Challenge Stakes victory including Snitzel (2006), Star Of Florida (2003 & 2004) and Classic Magic (1994).