About the race
The Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a Group 1 race over 2000 metres on turf at Royal Randwick, Sydney, run by the Australian Turf Club on Day 2 of The Championships in April. It is a standard weight-for-age race for three-year-olds and upwards, apprentices cannot claim, and prize money was A$5,000,000 in 2025 and 2026. The ATC’s race history lists winners from 1954, including Winx from 2017 to 2019.
Via Sistina (IRE) won the 2025 running on 12 April, ridden by James McDonald for trainer Chris Waller, finishing one and three-quarter lengths ahead of Dubai Honour (IRE). The IFHA rated it 118.25, joint 47th among the world’s top 100 Group 1 races of 2025. Sir Delius (GB) won on 11 April 2026 for Craig Williams and trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. The next running is listed for 10 April 2027.
The 2025 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 April 2025 | Via Sistina (IRE) | James McDonald | Chris Waller | n/v |
From the official result.
The 2026 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 April 2026 | Sir Delius (GB) | Craig Williams | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | n/v |
From the official result.
Recognition and facts
- Race day
- The Championships Day 2, Royal Randwick
- Winner's prize (2026)
- A$2,950,000
- 2026 winner
- Sir Delius (GB) (Craig Williams, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott)
- IFHA 2025 ranking
- Joint 47th, rating 118.25
Questions readers ask
When is the Queen Elizabeth Stakes run?
On Day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick in April. The next running is listed by the ATC for 10 April 2027.
What is the prize fund of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes?
A$5,000,000 in 2026, with A$2,950,000 to the winner.
Who won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2025?
Via Sistina (IRE), ridden by James McDonald and trained by Chris Waller, on 12 April 2025.
Sources
The rank and rating are from the IFHA's LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races 2025, published 21 January 2026, which ranks races by the ratings of their first four finishers. Other facts are from the pages listed below.
- IFHA: LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races 2025 (published 21 January 2026)
- Australian Turf Club: Queen Elizabeth Stakes race history
- Australian Turf Club: The Star Championships Day 2 results, 12 April 2025
- Australian Turf Club: The Championships Day 2 results, 11 April 2026
- Racing NSW: Royal Randwick results, 11 April 2026
- Australian Turf Club: 2026-27 fixture card