Basketball
AFL
Cricket
Horse Racing
NRL
Soccer
Tennis
All Sports
American Football
Boxing
Betting Masterclass
eSports
Golf
Greyhounds
Motor Sport
Rugby Union
UFC / MMA
Latest
Sydney Spring Racing Carnival 2026 | Tips, Dates & Group 1 Guide
The Sydney Spring Racing Carnival is NSW’s headline spring block of racing — an 11-week program running from late August through to late October / early November across Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens. Built around the $20 million Everest (the world’s richest turf race) and the $10 million Golden Eagle, the carnival features nine Group 1 races and the single-richest day of Australian sprint racing.
Below you’ll find the 2026 Sydney Spring Racing Carnival schedule, race-by-race previews, betting markets and best bookmakers for spring racing. For our latest tips, visit our horse racing tips hub. For the Melbourne spring program running alongside it, see our Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival guide.
Next Gen Sports, Racing and Esports bettingT&Cs apply
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Over 18s only. Problem? Visit Gambling Help Online.
Visit
Engage, Connect, and Win Together with Australia's Own Social Betting Platform.T&Cs apply
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Over 18s only. Problem? Visit Gambling Help Online.
Claim
Australia's Newest BookieT&Cs apply
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Over 18s only. Problem? Visit Gambling Help Online.
Claim
Sydney Spring Racing Carnival Structure
The carnival is built around five key Saturdays:
- Winx Stakes Day — late August at Randwick. Opens the carnival with the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m WFA), named in honour of the four-time winner (when the race was still the Warwick Stakes).
- Golden Rose Day — mid-September at Rosehill. Features the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) for three-year-olds, the defining early-season 3YO form race.
- George Main Stakes Day — mid-September at Randwick. Group 1 1600m WFA mile test.
- Epsom Day — early October at Randwick. The richest single raceday of the carnival — four Group 1s on the one card: Epsom Handicap, Metropolitan, Flight Stakes and Spring Champion Stakes.
- Everest Day — mid-to-late October at Randwick. The $20 million Everest headlines, alongside a deep supporting Group card.
- Golden Eagle Day — late October / early November at Rosehill. Features the $10 million Golden Eagle for four-year-olds.
Group 1 Races at the Sydney Spring Carnival
The full Group 1 program at the 2026 Sydney Spring Racing Carnival:
| Race | Distance | Class | Venue | Date Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winx Stakes | 1400m | Group 1 WFA | Randwick | Late Aug |
| Golden Rose | 1400m | Group 1 3YO SW | Rosehill | Mid-Sep |
| George Main Stakes | 1600m | Group 1 WFA | Randwick | Mid-Sep |
| Epsom Handicap | 1600m | Group 1 Handicap | Randwick | Early Oct (Epsom Day) |
| Flight Stakes | 1600m | Group 1 3YO Fillies SW | Randwick | Early Oct (Epsom Day) |
| Spring Champion Stakes | 2000m | Group 1 3YO SW | Randwick | Early Oct (Epsom Day) |
| The Metropolitan | 2400m | Group 1 Handicap | Randwick | Early Oct (Epsom Day) |
| The Everest | 1200m | Group 1 WFA (slot race) | Randwick | Mid-late Oct |
| The Golden Eagle | 1500m | Group 1 4YO SW | Rosehill | Late Oct / Early Nov |
| The Big Dance | 1600m | Listed · $3m | Randwick | Melbourne Cup Day |
The Big Two: The Everest and The Golden Eagle
Two races define the modern Sydney spring and are purpose-built to rival the Melbourne Cup Carnival:
- The Everest — $20 million, 1200m, Randwick. Mid-to-late October. A slot race where 12 slot-holders each select their runner, making it the world’s richest turf race. Launched 2017.
- The Golden Eagle — $10 million, 1500m, Rosehill. Late October / early November. Restricted to four-year-olds only. Launched 2019 to fill the 4YO middle-distance gap.
Sydney Spring Carnival Betting Markets
Sydney spring is one of the heaviest betting blocks of the year alongside the Melbourne spring. Key markets include:
- Everest and Golden Eagle Futures — all-in markets open months in advance, often from the previous autumn once slot-holders start announcing intentions.
- Epsom Day Quaddies — see our Quaddie calculator guide.
- Same Race Multis — see our Same Race Multi guide.
- Each-Way & Exotics — place, quinella, exacta, trifecta and First 4 across every Group 1.
Sydney Spring Racing Carnival FAQs
When is the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival?
The Sydney Spring Racing Carnival runs from late August through to late October / early November each year across Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens.
What is the biggest race of the Sydney Spring Carnival?
The $20 million Everest (1200m, Randwick) is the richest race of the carnival and the richest turf race in the world. The $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m, Rosehill) ranks second.
How many Group 1 races are at the Sydney Spring Carnival?
There are nine Group 1 races: Winx Stakes, Golden Rose, George Main Stakes, Epsom Handicap, Flight Stakes, Spring Champion Stakes, The Metropolitan, The Everest and The Golden Eagle.
What is Epsom Day?
Epsom Day is the Randwick feature raceday in early October that hosts four Group 1 races on the one card — the Epsom Handicap, Metropolitan, Flight Stakes and Spring Champion Stakes — making it the richest single raceday of the Sydney spring.
Where is the Sydney Spring Carnival held?
The carnival is split between Royal Randwick (eastern Sydney) for most of the feature Saturdays and Rosehill Gardens (western Sydney) for Golden Rose Day and Golden Eagle Day.
Looking for the best bookmakers to bet on the Sydney Spring Carnival?
At BettingPro.com.au, we rank the best Australian online betting sites for horse racing throughout spring. For a full comparison, see our best horse racing betting sites in Australia guide.
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Exclusive 365AUCODE referral code: bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers.18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au