Winx Stakes: Date, how to watch, past winners, latest odds and more

The Winx Stakes at Randwick is the opening Group 1 of the Spring Carnival and one of the key contests in the Australian racing calendar.

The race traditionally takes place in late August and it was elevated to Group 1 status in 2018.

The Randwick race now carries the name of Winx, the superstar Aussie mare that won the race three times in her stellar career.

.What: Winx Stakes
.Where: Randwick Racecourse, New South Wales
.When: Saturday 24th August, 2024
.How to watch: Channel 7
.Odds: Fangirl 4.00, Celestial Legend 5.50, Pride Of Jenni 5.50, Via Sistina 7.50, Amelia's Jewel 13.00

What is the Winx Stakes?

The Winx Stakes is a Group 1 contest run at Randwick in late August. The race is run on the right-handed circuit over 1400m and is open to horses aged three-years and up, with a weight-for-age allowance in place. The race is one of the early key contests at the Spring Racing Carnival.

When is the Winx Stakes?

The latest running of the Winx Stakes takes place on Saturday 24th August, 2024 with a scheduled post-time of 15:00 AEST.

Can I watch the Winx Stakes?

Yes. The Winx Stakes will be free-to-air on Channel 7 and on the 7Plus app.

When was the Winx Stakes founded?

The race was first run in 1923 as the Warwick Stakes. It has run over a variety of trips in its time, including over 1600m, but has been held at 1400m since 2002.

It has also varied in location. The race originated at Warwick Farm and has intermittently been run there and at Randwick – as well a staging at Canterbury Park in 2000. It has called Randwick home since 2014.

It was renamed the Winx Stakes in honour of the three-time winner and all-time Australian great mare.

Who has won the Winx Stakes?

The most famous winner is of course the mare that has given her name to the race, Winx. The Chris Waller-trained superstar won this race three times from 2016 onwards amid a record-breaking sequence of top level successes under regular rider Hugh Bowman.

Other three-time winners were Limerick in the 1920s and Kingston Town in the 1980s – with no other horse managing a three-peat.

Other former winners of the race include: Private Steer (2004), Defier (2002), Sunline (1999), Shaftesbury Avenue (1992), Super Impose (1990-91), Sky High (1961-62), Tulloch (1957), Bernborough (1946,) Flight (1944), Chatham (1933-34) and Amounis (1930).

What is the prize money for the Winx Stakes?

In 2023 the race carried a purse of $1,000,000. The winner collected a cool $580,000 last time out and prize money is expected to be the same again in 2024.

Who are the hot fancies for the Winx Stakes?

Fangirl could very well go one better this year after running second to Anamoe in 2023 and is the favourite at 4.00 ahead of Celestial Legend at 5.50 and Pride Of Jenni at 5.50.

Via Sistina is a 7.50 chance to land the Winx Stakes in 2024, with Amelia's Jewel at 13.00 and Lady Laguna priced up at 15.00.