The Golden Eagle Tips, Best Bets, Field & Odds

The Golden Eagle 2026 is one of the richest races in the world — a $10 million set-weights feature for four-year-olds over 1500m at Royal Randwick on Saturday 31 October 2026. Young, rich and with a charity twist, it has become a Sydney spring highlight. This is our complete guide: the 2026 date and start times, what makes the race unique, the field, tips and best bets, live odds, the form guide, how to watch, past winners and FAQs — updated all spring with the latest field, odds and our best bets.

The Golden Eagle 2026: Key Details

Detail	Value
Race	The Golden Eagle (set weights, 4yo)
Date	Saturday 31 October 2026
Start time	~4:45pm AEDT (confirmed race week)
Venue	Royal Randwick, Sydney (moved from Rosehill in 2025)
Distance	1500m
Conditions	Set weights, four-year-olds only
Prize money	$10 million (winner ~$5.25m)
Charity	10% of prize money goes to connections’ nominated charities
Broadcast	Channel 7 / 7plus, Sky Racing, Racing.com + bookmaker streams

 

When is the Golden Eagle & What Time?

The Golden Eagle is run in late October/early November on Golden Eagle Day at Royal Randwick — in 2026 that’s Saturday 31 October, with the feature jumping in the late afternoon (approximately 4:45pm AEDT; the exact time is confirmed race week). Local start times by state:

State	Local start time
NSW / VIC / ACT / TAS	~4:45pm AEDT
Queensland	~3:45pm AEST
South Australia	~4:15pm ACDT
Northern Territory	~3:15pm ACST
Western Australia	~1:45pm AWST

 

What Makes the Golden Eagle Unique

Launched in 2019, the Golden Eagle was built to be different. It’s restricted to four-year-olds — giving the previous season’s best three-year-olds a rich target — and at $10 million it’s one of the most valuable races on the planet, with the winner banking around $5.25 million. It also has a charity component: 10% of the prize money goes to each runner’s connections’ nominated charity. From 2025 the race moved from Rosehill to Royal Randwick to lift its profile within Sydney’s spring. One common question: it is run at set weights and is not (yet) officially a Group 1 — Racing NSW has argued it deserves that status given the quality of its fields, but it currently sits outside the traditional grading.

The Golden Eagle 2026 Field & Barrier Draw

The Golden Eagle draws a big, high-class field of four-year-olds chasing the huge purse, with runners coming out of the spring middle-distance and mile races. Over 1500m at Randwick the barrier and a fair run matter, and tactical speed to hold a spot is an asset in a large field. The field firms through the spring. Check back for the confirmed 2026 field and barrier draw.

Golden Eagle Tips, Best Bets & Predictions

Our tipsters post their Golden Eagle best bets and value selections once the field and barriers are confirmed. A rich 1500m race for four-year-olds rewards progressive types with proven black-type form and a good gate — and a big field means genuine each-way and exotic value. Win and each-way are the staples. Bookmark this page for our final selections.

How to Bet on the Golden Eagle

All the standard markets apply — win and each-way, plus exotics (quinella, exacta, trifecta and first-four), which can pay well in a big field. Futures open through the spring. Prices vary between bookmakers, so always compare and take the best available — see our toplist below.

Golden Eagle Odds & Favourites

Golden Eagle markets firm through the spring as the field is confirmed. With a deep four-year-old field it can be wide open — unbeaten star Autumn Glow won in 2025 — but the depth and the 1500m trip regularly reward value runners. For live Golden Eagle odds and the best price on every runner, compare the bookmakers below.

Golden Eagle Form Guide

The key form lines are the spring middle-distance and mile races for the rising four-year-olds, plus lightly raced types stepping up to 1500m. Look for progressive black-type form, a fair barrier and a stable targeting the race. The Golden Eagle is one of the headline acts of the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival alongside The Everest and the Epsom Handicap.

Golden Eagle Recent Winners & 2025 Result

The 2025 Golden Eagle — the first run at Royal Randwick — was won by the unbeaten Autumn Glow, who beat Sepals and Evaporate to extend her winning streak to eight. Recent winners:

Year	Winner	Note
2025	Autumn Glow	First at Randwick; 8 straight, unbeaten
2024	Lake Forest
2023	Obamburumai
2022	I Wish I Win
2021	I’m Thunderstruck
2020	Colette

 

History & Background

First run in 2019 and won by Kolding, the Golden Eagle was created by the Australian Turf Club as a rich new target for four-year-olds and quickly became one of the world’s most valuable races. Its charity model and $10 million purse set it apart, and the 2025 move to Royal Randwick raised its profile further. It now anchors the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival alongside The Everest.

How to Watch the Golden Eagle (Live Stream & TV)

Golden Eagle Day is shown free-to-air on Channel 7 and 7plus, plus Sky Racing and Racing.com, and you can live stream the race free with most licensed Australian bookmakers once your account is funded. Replays go up on the Australian Turf Club and Racing.com channels shortly after.

Best Bookmakers for the Golden Eagle

For a full comparison of the top Australian racing bookmakers — best odds, futures and live streaming — see our best horse racing betting sites in Australia guide.

Golden Eagle FAQs

When is the Golden Eagle 2026?

Saturday 31 October 2026 at Royal Randwick, over 1500m for four-year-olds.

How much is the Golden Eagle worth?

$10 million, with the winner collecting around $5.25 million — one of the richest races in the world.

Is the Golden Eagle a Group 1 race?

No — it is run at set weights and is not officially a Group 1. Racing NSW has argued it deserves Group 1 status given the quality of its fields, but it currently sits outside the traditional grading.

What race is the Golden Eagle?

A $10 million set-weights race for four-year-olds over 1500m, first run in 2019 and now held at Royal Randwick.

Why does the Golden Eagle support charities?

By design — 10% of the prize money goes to charities nominated by each runner’s connections.

Who won the 2025 Golden Eagle?

Autumn Glow, who remained unbeaten with her eighth straight win.

How can I watch the Golden Eagle?

Free-to-air on Channel 7 and 7plus, plus Sky Racing and Racing.com, with free live streams via most bookmakers.