Champions Sprint (VRC)

Champions Sprint (VRC)
registered as VRC Stakes

Group 1 race
Location	Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia
Inaugurated	1960
Race type	Thoroughbred
Sponsor	Darley (since 2019)
Race information
Distance	1,200 metres
Surface	Turf
Track	straight
Qualification	Three years old and older Maidens non eligible
Weight	Weight for age
Purse	$3,000,000 (since 2022)

The Champions Sprint, registered as the Victoria Racing Club Stakes, is a Victoria Racing Club Group One Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years old and over, under weight for age conditions, over a distance of 1200 metres held at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia on the last day of the VRC Spring Carnival. Total prize money for the race is A$3,000,000.

History

The race is considered one of the major sprints of the spring racing calendar. Prior to 2006 the race was held on the first day of the VRC Spring Carnival, Victoria Derby day, but was moved the following year to the last day of the carnival. In 2007 the sprint was also changed to weight-for-age conditions.

Name

• 1960–1979 - Craven 'A' Stakes
• 1980–1984 - Pure-Pak Stakes
• 1985–1993 - Gadsden Stakes
• 1994–1995 - Southcorp Packaging Stakes
• 1996–2006 - Salinger Stakes
• 2007 - The Age Classic
• 2008–2012 - Patinack Farm Classic
• 2013 - VRC Sprint Classic
• 2014–2017 - Darley Classic
• 2018 - VRC Sprint Classic
• 2019–2021 - Darley Sprint Classic
• 2022– Darley Champions Sprint

Distance

• 1960–1971 - 6 furlongs (~1200 metres)
• 1972 onwards - 1200 metres

Grade

• 1960–1978 - Principal Race
• 1979 onwards - Group 1

Winners

See also

• List of Australian Group races
• Group races