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The Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) will be held at Royal Randwick on Saturday, September 18 and Bettingpro.com.au provides you with a comprehensive guide to the race.
King Charles III Stakes tips, best bets, field & odds. The King Charles III Stakes 2026 runs on Saturday 17 October 2026 at Royal Randwick, alongside The Everest — a $5 million Group 1 mile. Below is our complete King Charles III Stakes guide — race details, history and past winners, lead-in form, betting markets and FAQs. Check back race week for the final field, odds and our best bets.
The King Charles III Stakes (formerly the George Main Stakes) is a Group 1 weight-for-age mile at Royal Randwick, run in mid-October on The Everest Day. Renamed in 2023 to honour King Charles III and boosted to $5,000,000 in prize money, it sits in the Sydney spring mile programme alongside the Winx Stakes (1400m) and the Epsom Handicap (1600m), and is a key form line for elite weight-for-age milers. This guide covers the King Charles III Stakes dates, distance, prize money, betting markets and our full race-day tips. For the full carnival, see our Sydney Spring Racing Carnival guide, or browse all our horse racing coverage.
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King Charles III Stakes Race Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Race | King Charles III Stakes (formerly the George Main Stakes) |
| Distance | 1600m weight-for-age |
| Class | Group 1 Weight-for-Age |
| Age / Conditions | Three-year-olds and upwards |
| Track | Royal Randwick, Sydney |
| Prize Money | $5,000,000 |
| Run Date | Saturday 17 October 2026 (The Everest Day) |
King Charles III Stakes History & Winners
The race was run for decades as the George Main Stakes before being renamed the King Charles III Stakes in 2023 in honour of King Charles III. At the same time it was repositioned from mid-September to The Everest Day in mid-October and had its prize money lifted to $5,000,000, making it one of the richest weight-for-age miles in the country. The winner earns a ballot exemption into the Epsom Handicap.
Recent winners include Ceolwulf, who took back-to-back editions in 2024 and 2025, and Fangirl, who won the 2023 running under the old George Main Stakes name. The 1600m Randwick trip provides a benchmark mile test at WFA conditions for horses building towards the Epsom or Cox Plate.
Lead-In Races
The main lead-in is the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick earlier in the spring. Many King Charles III Stakes runners build through the Winx and the early Sydney weight-for-age races, with the extra 200m suiting horses stretching out from 1400m towards the mile.
How to Watch the King Charles III Stakes in Australia
The King Charles III Stakes is run in mid-October at Royal Randwick on The Everest Day, the biggest day of the Sydney spring. Every race on the card is broadcast live on Sky Racing (Sky Racing 1, Sky Racing 2 and Sky Thoroughbred Central) and streamed via Racing.com, while most licensed Australian bookmakers stream the vision live for account holders. Everest Day is also carried free-to-air on Channel 7’s racing programming. Check your wagering operator or the Sky Racing schedule on the day for exact race times.
King Charles III Stakes Betting Markets
All major Australian bookmakers price the King Charles III Stakes weeks out, with a full acceptances market released after the final field is declared. The core markets are:
- Fixed-Odds Win & Place — the bread-and-butter markets, with early speculative prices followed by final acceptances pricing.
- Each-Way — typically 1/4 the odds for a place (1-2-3).
- Exotics — quinella, exacta, trifecta and First 4. See our First 4 calculator guide.
- Same Race Multis — combine multiple runners from the same race into one bet. See our Same Race Multi guide.
- Head-to-Head & Group Markets — runner-vs-runner matchups and stable/country markets.
King Charles III Stakes Carnival Form Lines
The King Charles III Stakes shares its card with The Everest and headlines a stacked Everest Day at Royal Randwick. For the world’s richest turf race and the marquee four-year-old race over the carnival, see our The Everest tips and The Golden Eagle tips.
Best Bookmakers for the King Charles III Stakes
For a full comparison of the top Australian racing bookmakers, 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
King Charles III Stakes FAQs
Was the King Charles III Stakes formerly the George Main Stakes?
Yes — the race was run as the George Main Stakes until it was renamed the King Charles III Stakes in 2023 in honour of King Charles III.
When is the King Charles III Stakes?
The King Charles III Stakes is run at Royal Randwick in mid-October, on The Everest Day.
What distance is the King Charles III Stakes?
The King Charles III Stakes is run over 1600m at Royal Randwick.
Is the King Charles III Stakes a handicap?
No — the King Charles III Stakes is run at weight-for-age.
How much is the King Charles III Stakes worth?
The King Charles III Stakes carries $5,000,000 in total prize money.
Who has won the King Charles III Stakes recently?
Ceolwulf won back-to-back editions in 2024 and 2025, while Fangirl won the 2023 running under the former George Main Stakes name.
How can I watch the King Charles III Stakes?
The King Charles III Stakes is broadcast live on Sky Racing and streamed via Racing.com and most licensed Australian bookmakers, with Everest Day also carried free-to-air on Channel 7.
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