Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2026 Results & Finishing Order

The 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes produced the autumn’s biggest upset: Sir Delius ($6) powered clear by 2¼ lengths under Craig Williams — for trainers Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott — to win Australia’s richest weight-for-age race. Lindermann ($31) ran second, while $1.30 favourite Autumn Glow — unbeaten in her opening 11 starts — could finish only third. Run over 2000m at Royal Randwick for $5 million on Saturday 11 April 2026, it was Sir Delius’s third Group 1.

Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2026: The Race

Detail	Value
Race	Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1 WFA)
Grade / conditions	Group 1 weight-for-age, 3yo & up
Distance	2000m
Venue	Royal Randwick, Sydney
Date	Saturday 11 April 2026 (The Championships, Day 2)
Prize money	$5 million (Australia’s richest WFA race)

 

Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2026 Result

Detail	Value
Winner	Sir Delius
Winning margin	2¼ lengths
Runner-up	Lindermann ($31)
Third	Autumn Glow ($1.30 favourite)
Winning SP	$6
Jockey	Craig Williams
Trainers	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Barrier / weight	3 / 59kg

 

Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2026 Full Finishing Order

Pos	Horse	SP	Bar.	Wt	Jockey	Trainer
1	Sir Delius	$6	3	59kg	Craig Williams	G Waterhouse & A Bott
2	Lindermann	$31	6	59kg	N Rawiller	C J Waller
3	Autumn Glow	$1.3	2	57kg	J B McDonald	C J Waller
4	Dubai Honour	$7.5	5	59kg	Tom Marquand	William Haggas
5	Light Infantry Man	$26	1	59kg	Ethan Brown	C Maher
6	Wootton Verni	$71	7	59kg	Tommy Berry	C J Waller
7	Caviar Heights	$91	4	59kg	Zac Lloyd	William Haggas

 

How the 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Was Won

Craig Williams gave Sir Delius a perfectly timed, on-pace ride and, when he asked for the effort early in the straight, the Waterhouse & Bott galloper sprinted clear to win going away by 2¼ lengths. The shock was behind him: red-hot $1.30 favourite Autumn Glow — unbeaten in her opening 11 starts — found the 2000m beyond her and battled to third, while $31 outsider Lindermann grabbed second for the Waller stable.

What the Result Means

A breakthrough top-level result and a third Group 1 for Sir Delius, announcing him as a genuine weight-for-age force. For Autumn Glow it was a first career defeat, a reminder of how hard Australia’s richest weight-for-age race is to win — and the placings reshape the spring’s middle-distance picture.

Queen Elizabeth Stakes: Guide, Tips & Past Winners

For the full race guide — 2027 date, the field, how to bet and the champion roll of honour — see our Queen Elizabeth Stakes tips & guide, the grand final of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

Best Bookmakers for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes

For the best odds and live streaming for next year’s race, compare the top Australian racing bookmakers in our best horse racing betting sites guide.

Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2026 Results FAQs

Who won the 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes?

Sir Delius, ridden by Craig Williams for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, by 2¼ lengths.

What did Sir Delius pay?

He started at $6.

What was the winning margin?

2¼ lengths, from Lindermann, with favourite Autumn Glow third.

What happened to Autumn Glow?

The $1.30 favourite, unbeaten in her first 11 starts, suffered her first career defeat when third — the 2000m proving too strong.

When and where was the 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes run?

Saturday 11 April 2026 at Royal Randwick, over 2000m, on Day 2 of The Championships.

How much is the Queen Elizabeth Stakes worth?

$5 million, making it Australia’s richest weight-for-age race.