George Ryder Stakes

Race Preview

The George Ryder Stakes is a Group 1 race held every April at Rosehill racecourse. It is raced over a distance of 1,500 meters and is run under weight for age conditions. The race is open to three years and older of any sex and carries a prize purse of $400,000.

It is held on Slipper Day - the same day as four other Group 1 races including the Golden Slipper Stakes, Queen Of The Turf Stakes, Storm Queen Stakes and The BMW. It is the premier weight-for-age race during the Sydney autumn carnival and attracts the very best sprinters and milers.

It was first run in 1903 and has a proud history. IT has undergone some changes over the years but has been raced over 1500m since 1986. Some of Australia’s greatest horses have won this race over the years and it has commonly been used as a lead up to Group 1 races later in the carnival such as the Doncaster Handicap, All Aged Stakes and AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Spotting Winners

The George Ryder Stakes is traditionally a small field, so if you do your homework, picking a winner can be easy. We suggest looking at important lead up races to get form lines, races like the Randwick Guineas and Canterbury Stakes as many previous winners have come via these two races.

Try and stay away from fillies and mares, as only eight have won the race since 1930, the last being Heat Of The Moment in 1986. Don’t discount 3yo horses as they have been very successful over the years, particularly the last decade.

Previous George Ryder Stakes Winners