The Champions Stakes

What Is the Champions Stakes?

The Champions Stakes is one of Australia’s most prestigious Group 1 horse races, held on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at the famed Flemington Racecourse.

Run over a 2,000-metre distance under weight-for-age conditions, this event is open to elite gallopers aged three years and older. As the headline act of Champions Day, the Champions Stakes serves as the spectacular grand finale to the nation’s spring racing season. 

Key Facts

• Race Name: Champions Stakes (formerly LKS Mackinnon Stakes)
• Race Class: Group 1
• Distance: 2,000 metres
• Age Restriction: 3 years old & up
• Race Type: Thoroughbred, Weight-for-age
• Venue: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
• Day: Champions Day (final day of Melbourne Cup Carnival)
• Surface: Turf
• Prize Money: $3,000,000 

When Was the Champions Stakes First Run?

The original running of this prestigious race dates back to 1869, making it one of Australia’s oldest and most revered middle-distance contests. Its rebranding as the Champions Stakes in 2022 elevated its profile, while continuing the heritage set by generations of outstanding performers.

Race History

Previously known as the LKS Mackinnon Stakes, the race was rebranded as the Champions Stakes in 2022 as part of Racing Victoria’s reshaping of the final day into a true “grand finals” celebration. The race regularly features top-tier gallopers backing up from the Cox Plate or Caulfield Cup, making for a deep and highly competitive field.

When Is the Champions Stakes Held?

This signature Group 1 event takes place annually on Champions Day — the grand conclusion to Melbourne’s spring racing carnival. Scheduled for the Saturday following Oaks Day, it guarantees an electric atmosphere as top contenders vie for year-end greatness.

How Long Is the Champions Stakes?

The event is run over 2,000 metres on the Flemington turf — a distance that perfectly tests versatility and stamina. 

How Many Runners Are In the Champions Stakes?

Fields typically feature 10 to 16 runners, depending on nominations and acceptance rates. The race regularly attracts elite horses fresh from lucrative campaigns in the Cox Plate or Caulfield Cup, ensuring a top-class field.

Who Will Win the Champions Stakes?

Predicting the winner is never straightforward. Recent form, especially from the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup, and previous Champions Stakes, is vital. Horses proven over the 2,000-metre Flemington trip, or able to handle the quick turnaround from Carnival feature races, should be prominent in betting markets.

Previous Winners of the Champions Stakes