The 2025 Golden Eagle winner will be determined when the $10 million feature runs at Randwick on Saturday November 1!
The Golden Eagle is one of the newer races on the Racing NSW calendar, and it comes with a massive prize pool of $10 million for the Randwick 1500m feature.
Bet on the 2025 Golden Eagle Winner
| 14. Autumn Glow (8) J: James McDonald 55.5kg 1x111T: Chris Waller | ||
| 4. Sepals (6) J: Ethan Brown 57.5kg 4x110T: Cliff Brown | ||
| 1. Evaporate (7) J: Nash Rawiller 57.5kg 1x512T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | ||
| 7. Depth Of Character (2) J: Jason Collett 57.5kg x0308T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | ||
| 12. Panja Tower (4) J: Kohei Matsuyama 56.5kg 41x1xT: Shinsuke Hashiguchi | ||
| 11. Cristal Clear (12) J: Braith Nock 57.5kg 41112T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | ||
| 3. Linebacker (5) J: Zac Lloyd 57.5kg 18x71T: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | ||
| 16. Modella (11) J: Chad Schofield 55.5kg 5x371T: Lee & Cherie Curtis | ||
| 5. Willydoit (10) J: Tim Clark 57.5kg 14x87T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 15. Perfumist (1) J: Rachel King 55.5kg 60412T: Bjorn Baker | ||
| 6. Fully Lit (13) J: Regan Bayliss 57.5kg 51232T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 10. Shangri La Spring (16) J: Tyler Schiller 57.5kg 47x74T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 13. Seagulls Eleven (3) J: Tom Marquand 56.5kg 6218xT: H Palmer | ||
| 2. Feroce (9) J: Josh Parr 57.5kg 6x638T: Dominic Sutton | ||
| 8. Lord Penman (15) J: Joao Moreira 57.5kg x2772T: Chris Waller | ||
| 9. Mayfair (14) J: Dylan Gibbons 57.5kg 5x2x3T: Bjorn Baker |
It was developed to rival Derby Day in Victoria, which is one of the biggest betting meetings of the year, and the big prizemoney has enticed many of Australia’s best jockeys.
First run in 2019, there have been some quality winners, in what is becoming an international race, with the last two winners being overseas-trained thoroughbreds.
We look at all the past Golden Eagle winners, which could lead punters into picking this year’s winner.
List of Golden Eagle Winners by Year
Kolding was the inaugural Golden Eagle winner in 2019. Four of the five subsequent Golden Eagle races were won by internationally-bred runners, including Japanese winner Obamburumai and UK-based Lake Forest.
| Year | Winner | Trainer | Jockey | Time | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Lake Forest (GB) | William Haggas | Cieren Fallon | 1:27.98 | $18.00 |
| 2023 | Obamburumai (JP) | Keiji Yoshimura | Joshua Parr | 1:29.26 | $7.00 |
| 2022 | I Wish I Win (NZ) | Peter Moody | Luke Nolen | 1:28.19 | $8.50 |
| 2021 | I’m Thunderstruck | Mike Price & Michael Kent | Hugh Bowman | 1:27.90 | $3.50 |
| 2020 | Colette | James Cummings | Koby Jennings | 1:32.67 | $10.00 |
| 2019 | Kolding | Chris Waller | Glen Boss | 1:28.28 | $6.00 |
List of International Golden Eagle Winners
The big money attracts an international field, especially over the 1500m distance. Races like The Everest haven’t attracted as many international visitors because of the sprinting distance, but the Golden Eagle is ideally suited to Asian and European sprinter-milers.
We’re only including internationally-trained Golden Eagle winners, as there has been only one Australian-bred winner.
- Obamburumai (2023) – A Japanese-trained colt who was too strong for Godolphin duo Pericles and Golden Mile at Rosehill.
- Lake Forest (2024) – The UK-raced colt was an upset winner for William Haggas when beating superstars Lazzat (France) and local hero Tom Kitten.
List of the Most Successful Golden Eagle-Winning Jockeys
There hasn’t been a repeat winner for a jockey in the Golden Eagle. Many of Australia’s top jockeys are at Flemington for Derby Day, so it has been a good mix of champion and less-experienced riders winning.
Glen Boss padded his impressive big-race record with the inaugural win in 2019. The champion jockey returned soon after, and he’ll forever be etched in history as the first jockey to win the Golden Eagle. Fellow champions Hugh Bowman and Luke Nolan followed, but there have been some surprise results.
Koby Jennings won in 2020 with Colette in wet conditions at Rosehill. Colette is the only mare to have won the Golden Eagle, making it a historic win across the board.
List of the Most Successful Golden Eagle-Winning Trainers
Chris Waller was the first winning trainer of the Golden Eagle. However, no trainer has won it more than once.
It has been spread out among Australia’s best trainers, including Peter Moody and James Cummings. The last two winners were international, including Haggas, who likes to come to Australia in the spring with Melbourne Cup and Golden Eagle fancies.
Godolphin has a good record, recording a win with Colette, and placings with Pericles, Golden Mile, and Tom Kitten.
Ladbrokes Tip: It could pay to watch for Godolphin runners in the upcoming Golden Eagle!
Famous winners of the Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle hasn’t been around for very long, but there have been some memorable wins at Rosehill. We have three of the best wins, kicking off with Lake Forest’s gutsy win in 2024.
Lake Forest (2024)
2024 is easily the most dramatic edition of the Golden Eagle. Lake Forest wasn’t expected to beat fellow European and unbeaten runner Lazzat, but he was first across the line. However, a protest was submitted by the jockey of Lazzat, which was later thrown out. It was a gun ride from Cieron Fallon, who showed how valuable his big race experience is. It has since been a great form guide, with the likes of Joliestar, War Machine, and Skybird being among the beaten brigade.
I Wish I Win (2022)
One of the more exciting Golden Eagle winners was I Wish I Win. The New Zealand-bred runner made his way to the Peter Moody stables when leaving NZ shores, and it resulted in some big Australian wins, including the 2022 Golden Eagle. He settled back in the field, as he always did, before unleashing a big sprint halfway down the straight. He held off a game Fangirl. who doesn’t usually get denied close to the line. I Wish I Win paid $8.50, as many didn’t believe he would stretch out to the 1500m distance. It was a roughly run race, and one of the best finishes in the race’s history.
I’m Thunderstruck (2021)
I’m Thunderstruck holds the record for the fastest Golden Eagle win. He settled midfield before jockey Hugh Bowman extricated from a tough position in the straight. The aggressive ride was the winning of the race, as he stormed over the top of Count de Rupee in the closing stages. He is the only favourite to have won the Golden Eagle, in what has been a race where punters can find good each-way value.
Golden Eagle Information
The Golden Eagle was previously run at Rosehill before switching to Randwick in 2025. The $10 million feature doesn’t have Group 1 status, but it’s only a matter of time before the pattern committee grants it the top-level status.
10% of the prize money is given to charity, which is a great initiative from Racing NSW. Each runner has a nominated charity, so it adds a feel-good nature to the big horse race.
It has been tough to attract the best jockeys away from the Melbourne Spring Carnival, which features many Group 1 races on the same Saturday. Jockeys like James McDonald and Jamie Melham are often locked into their horses’ preparations, but with many international jockeys coming for the big money, it has a unique attraction.
It’s also a part of the Golden Slam, where an additional $5 is awarded to the winner of the Golden Slipper (2YOs), Golden Rose (3YOs), and Golden Eagle (4YOs).
Betting on the Golden Eagle
Golden Eagle betting has been a gold mine for value punters. With only one favourite saluting (I’m Thunderstruck), there is excellent value available. It’s always an even betting affair, and because it features a big field, the odds are generous.
Unlike The Everest, it features a bigger and more open field. The Golden Eagle is a better betting proposition, and the distance suits sprinters and milers. That’s what makes it an intriguing race on the calendar, and a must-see this spring.
FAQs about Golden Eagle winners
Which horse has the fastest Golden Eagle time?
I’m Thunderstruck is the fastest Golden Eagle winner in history. He ran 1:29.90 in 2021 when running down Count de Rupee. Lake Forest has since run 1:29.98 when winning in 2024.
How many mares have won the Golden Eagle?
Colette is the only mare to have won the Golden Eagle. She won in 2020 in heavy conditions, when running just under five seconds slower than the race record.
How much does the winner of the Golden Eagle get?
The Golden Eagle winner gets $5,250,000. The top three are guaranteed at least $1 million.
How many internationally trained runners have won the Golden Eagle?
There have been two internationally-trained Golden Eagle winners, including Obamburumai and Lake Forest in 2023 and 2024.