TJ Smith Stakes: Date, how to watch, past winners and more

The TJ Smith Stakes is a Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race that takes place at Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, in April each year.

Raced at weight for age, over a distance of 1200m, the TJ Smith Stakes is one of the biggest races of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

With $3million in prizemoney up for grabs, the TJ Smith Stakes also attracts the best sprinters in the land.

Here is everything you need to know about the TJ Smith Stakes.

TJ Smith Stakes date

The TJ Smith Stakes is one of the biggest races at the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

It is raced on day one of the ATC Championships Carnival and the 2025 edition of the race will be held on Saturday 5th April.

TJ Smith Stakes time

The TJ Smith Stakes appears on a bumper 10-race card that also includes the Group 1 Doncaster Mile Stakes and the Group 1 Australian Derby.

The start time for the TJ Smith Stakes has yet to be announced, but in 2024 it was Race 7 on a bumper card, the race before the Doncaster Mile, and is likely to remain the same.

TJ Smith Stakes venue

The TJ Smith Stakes is held at Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, New South Wales.

TJ Smith Stakes how to watch

The TJ Smith Stakes will be shown free-to-air on Channel 7 and also via the 7plus App.

TJ Smith Stakes prize money

The total amount of prize money for the TJ Smith Stakes was raised in 2022 and now stands at a cool $3million.

The winner will take home $1,725,000, second $560,000 and third place $280,000.

A top 10 finish at the TJ Smith Stakes will earn you prize money, with ninth and 10th place, both earning $20,000.

TJ Smith Stakes history

The TJ Smith Stakes is a relatively new addition to the calendar and was first raced in 1997.

Then it was a Listed race, known as the Endeavour Stakes and was won by a horse named Mahogony.

In 1999 the race was named the TJ Smith Stakes, in honour of trainer Thomas John Smith, and was awarded Group 1 status in 2005.

TJ Smith Stakes previous winners

Chain Of Lightning was the winner of the 2024 edition of the TJ Smith Stakes.

One of the most famous winners of the TJ Smith Stakes was unbeaten mare Black Caviar, who took the honours in both 2011 and 2013.

Nature Strip also won the race three years in a row from 2020 through to 2022.

TJ Smith Stakes odds

Joliestar is currently leading the betting and is priced at 3.75 to win the 2025 edition of the TJ Smith Stakes.

Private Harry can be backed at 4.50, while Briasa is 5.00.

Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.