The Champions Mile

What Is the Champions Mile?

The Champions Mile is a premier Group 1 thoroughbred race held annually at Flemington Racecourse during the Melbourne Cup Carnival’s grand finale – Champions Day.

Contested over 1,600 metres, this elite event is open to horses aged three years and up and is renowned as one of Australia’s most coveted races for top-class milers.

Race History

The race, formerly known as the Cantala Stakes and the Kennedy Mile, adopted the Champions Mile title in 2022 to celebrate a stunning finish to spring racing. Run down Flemington’s famous straight, the event features speed, timing, and high drama as the best local and international milers compete for glory.

Key Facts

• Race Name: Champions Mile (formerly Cantala Stakes, Kennedy Mile)
• Race Type: Group 1 Thoroughbred
• Distance: 1,600 metres
• Age: Open to 3-year-olds and older
• Day: Champions Day (final day of Melbourne Cup Carnival)
• Track: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
• Surface: Turf
• Prize Money: $3,000,000 
• Weight: Handicap

When Was the Champions Mile First Run?

The Champions Mile has a storied history stretching back to 1881, originally run as the Cantala Stakes. The race’s renaming in 2022 marked its standing as a core part of Champions Day, adding to its reputation as one of the spring carnival’s defining fixtures.

When Is the Champions Mile Held?

This Group 1 showdown is staged every November on the concluding Saturday of Melbourne Cup week, renowned as Champions Day. It’s one of three flagship Group 1s that cement Flemington as the place to be on the final day of the carnival.

How Long Is the Champions Mile?

The race is run over the iconic Flemington “straight mile” — 1,600 metres. This classic distance is the ultimate test of sustained speed and tactical positioning, rewarding horses with both brilliance and stamina.

How Many Runners Are In the Champions Mile?

The Champions Mile consistently attracts competitive fields, generally ranging from 14 to 18 starters. The handicap conditions and lucrative prize pool ensure a deep, open contest of proven milers and rising stars every year.

Previous Winners of the Champions Mile