A staggering number of nominations from right around the globe heralds the inaugural The Championships following today’s closing deadline.
Nominations have been finalised with 1207 received for the 10 races to be staged during The Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday 12 April and Saturday 19 April.
The jewel in the crown, the $4million Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m on Day 2, attracted 112 nominations with the $3m The Star Doncaster Mile on opening day drawing an excellent 127 entries.
A remarkable figure is the 203 nominations for the Inglis Sires’ which is more than double the previous two years (99 in 2013 and 97 in 2012). And nominations have been received from every State of Australia plus New Zealand, Japan and Ireland.
“We are over the moon with the response to The Championships,” said Ian Mackay, CEO of The Championships. “We were hoping for strong nominations and are thrilled to see the total number edge past the 1200 mark.
“Owners and trainers have embraced The Championships and it’s now full steam ahead for what will be two days of superb racing in April.”
Australian Turf Club Executive General Manager of Racing, Matt Rudolph, said the quality of the entries placed the BMW Sydney Carnival among the best racing events in the world.
“Horses who traditionally might have targeted international races such as Zoustar or Fiorente, are instead staying for the BMW Sydney Carnival as their grand finals,” he said.
“From one of the best crops of two-year-olds in many years, through to a three-year-old ATC Triple Crown winner in It’s A Dundeel and winners of all the major Group One races in Australia, there is outstanding quality across all ages and distances.”
– Australian Turf Club
