Epsom Handicap

Epsom Handicap

Group 1 race
Amounis, 1926 & 1928 winner
Location	Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia
Inaugurated	1865
Race type	Thoroughbred - flat
Sponsor	TAB (2022)
Race information
Distance	1,600 metres
Surface	Turf
Track	Right-handed
Qualification	Horses three years old and older
Weight	Handicap
Purse	A$1,500,000 (2022)
Bonuses	Winner exemption from a ballot on the Queen Elizabeth Stakes

The Epsom Handicap is an Australian Turf Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race for horses three years old and older, under handicap conditions over a distance of 1,600 metres at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia in early October. Prize money is A$1,500,000.

History

In 1897 Jim McHugh weighing 4 stone 4 pounds (27 kg) and aged 11 years and 4 months was having his second race ride ever, on Robin Hood in the Epsom Handicap and won the race.

Jockey, Donald Nicholson won the race in succession five times from 1880 to 1884 and came fifth in 1885. He was killed a few weeks later when his mount fell in the 1885 Caulfield Cup.

It is one of the major races of the ATC Spring Carnival. Many great milers have won the race, including Chatham, Gunsynd, and Super Impose, who was also a dual winner of the autumn equivalent, the Doncaster Handicap.

Name

The race was named after the famous Epsom Downs Racecourse in the South of England where the classic three-year-old Epsom Derby has been contested since 1780.

Grade

• 1865–1978 - Principal Race
• 1979 onwards - Group 1

Distance

• 1865–1878 - 1 mile (~1600 metres)
• 1879–1884 - 1 1⁄8 miles (~1800 metres)
• 1885–1971 - 1 mile (~1600 metres)
• 1972–2000 – 1600 metres
• 2001 – 1400 metres (run at Randwick's inner course known as the Kensington)
• 2002 onwards - 1600 metres

Venue

• 1865–1982 - Randwick Racecourse
• 1983 - Warwick Farm Racecourse
• 1984 onwards - Randwick Racecourse

1934 and 1943 racebooks

• 
  Front cover of the 1934 AJC Epsom Handicap racebook
• 
  Inside cover showing raceday officials
• 
  Starters and results page 1934 AJC Epsom Handicap showing the winner, Silver Ring
• 
  Starters and results page 1934 AJC Epsom Handicap
• 
  Front cover 1943 AJC Epsom Handicap racebook
• 
  Starters and results page 1943 AJC Epsom Handicap
• 
  Starters and results page 1943 AJC Epsom Handicap showing the winner, Kiaree
• 
  Starters and results page 1943 AJC Epsom Handicap

1945 and 1954 racebooks

• 
  Front cover 1945 AJC Epsom Handicap racebook
• 
  Starters and results 1945 AJC Epsom Handicap page showing the winner, Shannon
• 
  Front cover of the 1954 AJC Epsom Handicap racebook
• 
  1954 Epsom Handicap racebook page
• 
  1954 Epsom Handicap racebook showing the winner, Connaught
• 
  1954 Epsom Handicap racebook page

Winners

See also

• List of Australian Group races
• Group races