Challenge Stakes (ATC)

Challenge Stakes

Group 2 race
High Caste, 1940 & 1942 winner
Location	Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia
Inaugurated	1906
Race type	Thoroughbred - flat
Sponsor	Hyland Race Colours (2023)
Race information
Distance	1,000 metres
Surface	Turf
Track	Right-handed
Qualification	Horses three years old and older
Weight	Weight for age
Purse	A$500,000 (2023)
Bonuses	Automatic qualification – The Galaxy and TJ Smith Stakes

The Challenge Stakes is an Australian Turf Club Group 2 Thoroughbred horse race at weight for age for horses three years old and older, over a distance of 1000 metres at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney in March. Total prize money for the race is A$500,000.

History

The race was first run in 1906. Before 2003 the race was run in January or early February. The track and race record was set by Redzel in 2018 in a time of 55.73 seconds.

Grade

• 1906–1978 - Principal Race
• 1987 onwards - Group 2

Venue

• 1906–2001 - Randwick
• 2002–2006 - Warwick Farm
• 2007–2010 - Randwick
• 2011 - Warwick Farm
• 2012 - Rosehill
• 2013 - Warwick Farm
• 2014 onwards - Randwick

Distance

• 1906–1972 - 5 furlongs (~1000 metres)
• 1973–2011 – 1000 metres
• 2012 – 1100 metres
• 2013 onwards – 1000 metres

Winners

See also

• List of Australian Group races
• Group races