TJ Smith Stakes 2026 Results & Finishing Order

The 2026 TJ Smith Stakes was won by the brilliant Chris Waller mare Joliestar ($3.90 favourite), who under James McDonald hit the front 400m out and held off a fast-finishing Giga Kick ($4.60) by half a length, with Skybird ($41) a neck away third. Run over 1200m on a Soft 7 down the Randwick straight for $3 million on Saturday 4 April 2026, it was the gritty mare’s fifth Group 1 and capped an unbeaten Sydney autumn.

TJ Smith Stakes 2026: The Race

Detail	Value
Race	TJ Smith Stakes (Asahi Super Dry)
Grade / conditions	Group 1, weight-for-age
Distance	1200m (Randwick straight)
Venue	Royal Randwick, Sydney
Date	Saturday 4 April 2026 (The Championships, Day 1)
Track condition	Soft 7
Prize money	$3 million

 

TJ Smith Stakes 2026 Result

Detail	Value
Winner	Joliestar
Winning margin	Half a length
Runner-up	Giga Kick ($4.60)
Third	Skybird ($41, a neck back)
Winning SP	$3.90 (favourite)
Jockey	James McDonald
Trainer	Chris Waller
Barrier / weight	5 / 56.5kg

 

TJ Smith Stakes 2026 Full Finishing Order

Pos	Horse	SP	Bar.	Wt	Jockey	Trainer
1	Joliestar	$3.9	5	56.5kg	J B McDonald	C J Waller
2	Giga Kick	$4.6	6	58.5kg	Z Purton	Clayton Douglas
3	Skybird	$41	4	56.5kg	John Allen	Mitchell Freedman
4	Overpass	$16	7	58.5kg	J Parr	Bjorn Baker
5	Jimmysstar	$6	2	58.5kg	Ethan Brown	C Maher
6	Mazu	$19	9	58.5kg	Rachel King	Joseph Pride
7	Magic Time	$21	3	56.5kg	M J Dee	G M Begg
8	Briasa	$9	8	58.5kg	Tyler Schiller	M, W & J Hawkes
9	Tentyris	$4.6	1	56.5kg	Mark Zahra	A & S Freedman

 

How the 2026 TJ Smith Stakes Was Won

On a rain-affected Soft 7, James McDonald angled Joliestar into the clear and asked her to let down 400m out; the mare found the line strongly to repel the resolute Giga Kick ($4.60), holding on by half a length, with the $41 chance Skybird flying home a neck away for third. It was a fifth elite-level success and a third straight turf win this preparation for the all-conquering Waller stable.

What the Result Means

Joliestar confirmed herself the leading older sprinter in the land and left Sydney’s autumn unbeaten, with connections pointing to an international assault. The form is rock-solid — dual Everest placegetter Giga Kick was beaten only half a length — so expect the principals in the spring’s major sprints and abroad.

TJ Smith Stakes: Guide, Tips & Past Winners

For the full race guide — 2027 date, the field, how to bet and the roll of honour (Black Caviar, Chautauqua, Nature Strip) — see our TJ Smith Stakes tips & guide, part of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival alongside the Doncaster Mile.

Best Bookmakers for the TJ Smith 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.

TJ Smith Stakes 2026 Results FAQs

Who won the 2026 TJ Smith Stakes?

Joliestar, ridden by James McDonald for Chris Waller, by half a length.

What did Joliestar pay?

She started the $3.90 favourite.

What was the winning margin?

Half a length, from Giga Kick, with Skybird a neck away third.

How many Group 1s has Joliestar won?

The TJ Smith was her fifth career Group 1 success.

When and where was the 2026 TJ Smith Stakes run?

Saturday 4 April 2026 down the Royal Randwick straight, over 1200m on a Soft 7, on Day 1 of The Championships.

How much is the TJ Smith Stakes worth?

$3 million.