The Australian G1 season has concluded and there were 23 Group I races won by older horses at a distance less than 1600m, but one race that fits the category but is yet to be given G1 status is the $10million Golden Eagle (1500m) and form out of it would suggest it was the best of them all.
The Golden Eagle is left of a centre as a race restricted to four year-olds, which was really thinking outside of the square by Racing NSW, but what a fabulous innovation it has been for unearthing serious potential and attracting international competitors.
Not all horses are ready to go at two or even at three with this race offering a unique and lucrative path forward for the right horse and it’s a race that has been really latched on to by savvy Northern Hemisphere trainers.
Can’t wait to see how the race unfolds this year and if I had to throw up an early tip it would be Lady Shenandoah.
G1 winners Older Horses Less than 1600m 2024/2025
| Race | Distance | Horse | Age | Sex | Sire | Dam Sire |
| Black Caviar Lightning | 1000 | Skybird | 4 | M | Exosphere | Wanted |
| Moir Stakes | 1000 | Mornington Glory | 6 | G | Shalaa (IRE) | Danehill (USA) |
| Oakleigh Plate | 1100 | Jimmysstar (NZ) | 5 | G | Per Incanto (USA) | Zed (NZ) |
| Manikato Stakes | 1200 | Southport Tycoon | 4 | H | Written Tycoon | More Than Ready (USA) |
| Newmarket Hcp | 1200 | Joliestar | 4 | M | Zoustar | Fastnet Rock |
| William Reid Stakes | 1200 | Schwarz | 4 | H | Zoustar | Not A Single Doubt |
| T J Smith Stakes | 1200 | Briasa | 4 | G | Smart Missile | Twining (USA) |
| Robert Sangster Stakes | 1200 | Charm Stone | 4 | M | I Am Invincible | Northern Meteor |
| Darley Champions Sprint | 1200 | Sunshine In Paris | 5 | M | Invader | Zabeel (NZ) |
| Doomben 10,000 | 1200 | Sunshine In Paris | 5 | M | Invader | Zabeel (NZ) |
| Winterbottom Stakes | 1200 | Overpass | 6 | G | Vancouver | Exceed And Excel |
| The TAB Everest | 1200 | Bella Nipotina | 7 | M | Pride Of Dubai | Star Witness |
| Kingsford Smith Cup | 1300 | Joliestar | 4 | M | Zoustar | Fastnet Rock |
| Canterbury Stakes | 1300 | Royal Patronage (FR) | 6 | H | Wootton Bassett (GB) | Dalakhani (IRE) |
| Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes | 1400 | Kimochi | 4 | M | Brave Smash (JPN) | I Am Invincible |
| Stradbroke Hcp | 1400 | War Machine (NZ) | 4 | G | Harry Angel (IRE) | Hussonet (USA) |
| C.F. Orr Stakes | 1400 | Another Wil | 5 | G | Street Boss (USA) | Bianconi (USA) |
| All Aged Stakes | 1400 | Jimmysstar (NZ) | 5 | G | Per Incanto (USA) | Zed (NZ) |
| Tattersall's Tiara | 1400 | Tashi | 5 | M | Sebring | Street Cry (IRE) |
| Memsie Stakes | 1400 | Pinstriped | 6 | G | Street Boss (USA) | Snitzel |
| Winx Stakes | 1400 | Via Sistina (IRE) | 7 | M | Fastnet Rock | Galileo (IRE) |
| Futurity Stakes | 1400 | Mr Brightside (NZ) | 7 | G | Bullbars | Tavistock (NZ) |
| George Ryder Stakes | 1500 | Gringotts (NZ) | 5 | G | Per Incanto (USA) | Savabeel |
The 23 G1 races were won by 20 horses with multiple winners in this distance range being Joliestar, Sunshine in Paris and Jimmysstar (NZ), who would all loom as possible Everest contenders in the spring.
Two four year-old stallions on the list Southport Tycoon and Schwarz have both been retired to stud with the former headed to Widden Victoria at a fee of $38,500 and the latter to Rosemont Stud, also in Victoria at a fee of $38,500.
Seven of the 20 G1 winners (which equates to 35% ) in this distance range for older horses were bred outside of Australia, not a particularly great stat for a country that prides itself on it’s sprinters.
Click here to read about the G1 older milers/middle distance/stayers.
