George Main Stakes 2024

George Main Stakes

Preview, Trends & Analysis

The Rundown

The George Main Stakes is one of the most prestigious mile races during the Randwick Spring Carnival and boasts with a total prize money pool of $1,000,000.

Run at Group 1 Weight-for-Age level, the race is reserved for the highest rating horses in the land and from overseas raiders – who dare travel to our shores. 

Originally run in 1945, it was defined as a ‘Principal Race’ from its inaugural year until 1978.

The race gained Group 1 status in 1979 and has remained in that category ever since.

It was renamed the ‘Colgate Optic White Stakes’ from 2015-2019 much to chagrin and jest of punters and racing fans around the country. 

It has since returned to its original name as of 2020. 

This Randwick mile is considered the toughest mile event in Australian racing with two sharp turns that can undo horses who are trapped wide without cover. 

It is the perfect test of stamina as well as speed for the best weight-for-age horses.

The Famous Winners and Record Results

The obvious pick is Winx. 

She has two record results to her name; 
– The only horse to win the race three times 
– The time record having run 1:33:65 in her 2017 win. 

Legendary trainer Tommy Smith won the George Main stakes on 11 occasions with Kingston Town (1981, 1982) arguably being his most prolific winner of the race. 

Chris Waller has won the race seven times with those triumphs beginning in 2012 with Shootout. 

He has since had Sacred Falls (2014), Kermadec (2015) and Kolding (2020) joined Waller’s hand in winning the race. 

Octagonal’s ‘little boy’ and champion sire Lonhro won the race in 2003 and continued his brilliance in Group 1 races. 

Gai Waterhouse continued the legacy of her father in this race by winning the event with star mare More Joyous (2010) ridden by Corey Brown. 

Other famous winners include the popular Vo Rogue (1989) as well as Shaftesbury Avenue (1990). 

The Statistics

The Recent Winners

YearHorseTrainerJockeyOdds
2022 Anamoe James CummingsJames McDonald$1.6
2021Verry ElleegantChris WallerJames McDonald$1.75
2020KoldingChris WallerTommy Berry$8
2019AviliusJames CummingsKerrin McEvoy$3
2018WinxChris WallerHugh Bowman$1.10
2017WinxChris WallerHugh Bowman$1.12
2016WinxChris WallerHugh Bowman$1.09
2015KermadecChris WallerGlyn Schofield$2.35
2014Sacred FallsChris WallerZac Purton$4
2013StreamaGuy WalterBlake Shinn$8.5
2012ShootoutChris WallerHugh Bowman$4
2011SinceroStephen FarleyChris O’Brien$2.15
2010More JoyousGai WaterhouseCorey Brown$1.60

The Questions

When is the George Main Stakes held?

The race will be run and won on the 18th of September, 2021.

Are there any other races on the day?
  • Yes. There are eight other races on the day.
  • The Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400 metres), The Group 3 Bill Ritchie (1400m), The Group 2 The Shorts (1100 metres) and The Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes are the black-type races outside of the George Main.
How do I bet on the George Main Stakes?
  • Punch in betdeluxe.com.au to your browser and find your home for all your different types of ways to bet not only on George Main Day but every race across Australia.  
Where do the winners and runners of the George Main Stakes run next?

The winner and runners in the race generally use this as a platform for a tilt at the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup. 

It also used for other mile races that occur during the spring such as the Empire Rose Stakes.

How To Bet On The George Main Stakes

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