The official fourth edition of the King Charles III Stakes (formerly the George Main Stakes) runs on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Royal Randwick on The Everest Day.
The King Charles III Stakes 2026 is one of the headline betting races of the Sydney Spring Carnival, pitting the nation’s best weight-for-age gallopers against each other over the famous Randwick mile. Formerly known as the George Main Stakes, this Group 1 feature has produced a prestigious honour roll of champions and continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the spring racing landscape. With elite talent, proven Group 1 form, and major spring targets on the horizon, the race consistently attracts strong wagering interest from punters. Whether you’re chasing value, tracking market movers, or backing a proven star, Ladbrokes has the latest King Charles III Stakes odds 2026, expert previews, and comprehensive King Charles III Stakes betting information to help you get closer to the action ahead of this premier 1600m showdown.
2026 King Charles III Stakes Odds
The leading King Charles III Stakes 2026 betting odds will be available here for punters the week of the race so stay tuned to access the premium Group 1 spring racing odds in Sydney this season followed by the official finishing order after the race.
| 1. Ceolwulf (1) 59kgx5232 | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently 2nd of 16 in the G1 Epsom Handicap at this track on October 3 over 1600m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind God’s Window with 59kg at $9.50. The race before that 3rd in a small field in the G2 7 Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1600m, 1.5 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 59kg at $15. Ready to win and ticks plenty of boxes today. | |||
| 2. God’s Window (2) 59kg23×51 | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up 5th of 13 in a G2 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1300m, 2.25 len behind Skyhook with 53kg at $41. Second-up was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by 1.75 len in the G1 Epsom Handicap at this track on October 3 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Ceolwulf with 50kg at $26. Has gone to a new level but tested in this grade. | |||
| 3. Just Folk (3) 59kg32322 | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 11 in the LR Paris Lane Stakes at Flemington on October 3 over 1400m, on heavy track; 1.3 len behind Cote Atlantique with 59kg at $9. The run before that tried to lead throughout but was claimed late 2nd of 16 in a LR Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1700m, on a slow track; 0.8 len behind Kingswood with 59kg at $11. Conditions suit and can sneak into the minor money. | |||
| 4. Militarize (5) 59kg3×606 | |||
| Most recently 6th of 8 in the G2 Hill Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1900m, 2.5 len behind Attrition with 59kg at $5.50. The start before that 10th of 16 in the G1 Epsom Handicap at this track on October 3 over 1600m, slow going 4 len behind God’s Window carrying 53.5kg at $61. Back in trip on the quick backup, value contender. | |||
| 5. Autumn Glow (4) 57kg13×11 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up favourite; won by 1.4 len in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Sheza Alibi with 57kg at $1.70. Last start favourite; won by 1.3 len in the G2 7 Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1600m defeating Aeliana carrying 57kg at $1.16. Champion mare who will need to be on her game. | |||
| 6. Pride Of Jenni (5)SCRATCHED: | |||
King Charles III Stakes Tips
King Charles III Stakes tips are a great way to get an idea of who to back and who to sack in the mile classic and most commonly have the favourite selected to win.
Favourites have an excellent record in the race so backing the top fancy in betting is a top King Charles III Stakes tip.
Sydney trainer Chris Waller prepared nine George Main Stakes winners / King Charles III Stakes winners from 2012 – 2025, including Hall of Fame mare Winx (2016-18), so looking for in-form Waller hopes in the field is also a good racing tip.
2026 King Charles III Stakes Predictions & Best Bets
Our Ladbrokes’ exclusive King Charles III Stakes 2026 betting tips and Group 1 Randwick racing selections will be detailed below the week of the race.
| 5. Autumn Glow (4) 57kg13×11 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up favourite; won by 1.4 len in the G1 Winx Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Sheza Alibi with 57kg at $1.70. Last start favourite; won by 1.3 len in the G2 7 Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1600m defeating Aeliana carrying 57kg at $1.16. Champion mare who will need to be on her game. | |||
| 1. Ceolwulf (1) 59kgx5232 | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently 2nd of 16 in the G1 Epsom Handicap at this track on October 3 over 1600m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind God’s Window with 59kg at $9.50. The race before that 3rd in a small field in the G2 7 Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1600m, 1.5 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 59kg at $15. Ready to win and ticks plenty of boxes today. | |||
| 3. Just Folk (3) 59kg32322 | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 11 in the LR Paris Lane Stakes at Flemington on October 3 over 1400m, on heavy track; 1.3 len behind Cote Atlantique with 59kg at $9. The run before that tried to lead throughout but was claimed late 2nd of 16 in a LR Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1700m, on a slow track; 0.8 len behind Kingswood with 59kg at $11. Conditions suit and can sneak into the minor money. | |||
Latest News
The King Charles III Stakes (formerly known as the George Main Stakes) is a mile feature held at the famous Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney each Spring Racing Carnival. The event was formerly held in September a fortnight before the Epsom Handicap but was moved ahead of the 2023 edition to join the stellar The Everest Day line-up at Randwick in mid-October.
In its place on The Shorts Day program in mid-September is the unlisted $1 million 7 Stakes (1600m) run for the first time in 2023 and offering the winner an Epsom Handicap ballot exemption.
The 2023 King Charles III Stakes winner Fangirl came via a lead-up third in the inaugural 7 Stakes.
In 2024 Ceolwulf made history as the first horse to complete the Epsom Handicap – King Charles III Stakes double at successive starts over the Randwick mile.
Ceowulf returned to go back-to-back in 2025.
The race was originally named after a former chairman on the Australian Jockey Club, the George Main Stakes but was renamed in 2023 to honour His Majesty King Charles III.
The Everest Day now offers close to $35 million across the 10-race card and is headlined by the Group 1 $20 million The Everest (1200m) which is the world’s richest turf race.
The King Charles III Stakes offers $5 million in stakes and is now officially the world’s richest weight-for-age 1600m thoroughbred race.
A Group 1 race since 1979 it has been won by many stars including Godolphin hero Anamoe (2022), subsequent Melbourne Cup winning mare Verry Elleegant (2021), three-time champion Winx (2016-18), More Joyous (2010), Grand Armee (2004), Lonhro (2003), Shogun Lodge (1999), and dual champion Kingston Town (1981-82).
King Charles III Stakes Race Facts
- Former Race Name: George Main Stakes
- Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
- Track: Royal Randwick Racecourse
- Distance: 1600m
- Conditions: Weight-for-age
- Status: Group 1
- Prize Money: $5,000,000
- First Run: 1945 (George Main Stakes); 2023 (King Charles III Stakes)
2026 King Charles III Stakes Results
The official King Charles III Stakes Results 2026 and race finishing order will be known once the race is run and won on Saturday, October 17, 2026 and published below.
King Charles III Stakes Prize Money Breakdown
The King Charles III Stakes 2026 runs for a total prize pool of $5 million, with $2.95 million going to the winner. There is good money for the first three across the line, with the second placegetter securing $850,000.
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $2,950,000 |
| 2nd | $850,000 |
| 3rd | $425,000 |
| 4th | $210,000 |
| 5th | $125,000 |
| 6th | $75,000 |
| 7th-8th | $60,000 |
| 9th-10th | $40,000 |
| 11th-12th | $20,000 |
The stakes for the King Charles III Stakes have continued to grow. Formerly known as the George Main Stakes, Racing NSW has continued to pump money into the Group 1 feature on Everest Day.
King Charles III Stakes Betting
King Charles III Stakes betting markets in recent years have featured 10 or fewer chances making it one of the easier Sydney Spring Racing Carnival majors to pick the winner of.
The odds are usually led by horses that ran well in their lead-up races like the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes, the Group 1 Winx Stakes, and the Group 2 Tramway Stakes that most recently produced a winner in 2011 when Sincero completed the double.
In 2018 the heroic Winx won the race named in her honour (Winx Stakes) before saluting in her third straight George Main Stakes.
In 2021 Verry Elleegant improved on a first-up second in the Winx Stakes to win the George Main Stakes, while Anamoe (2022) was the last horse to complete the Winx Stakes – George Main Stakes double before the latter was renamed.
In 2023 Fangirl became the first horse to complete the Winx Stakes – King Charles III Stakes double.
Ceowulf won his second King Charles III Stakes title in 2025 having come via lead-up runs in the Winx Stakes (4th), Chelmsford Stakes (4th), 7 Stakes (3rd) and Epsom Handicap (6th).
Favourites in the George Main Stakes / King Charles III Stakes odds have dominated the results over the past decade or including 11 winners from 2010 – 2025 thanks to the three-peat of Winx (2016-18), the success of Avilius in 2019, the 2021 win by odds-on favourite Verry Elleegant at $1.75 and Anamoe saluting at a short $1.65 in 2022.
In 2023 Fangirl jumped at King Charles III Stakes odds of $5.50 to beat the odds-on favourite Mr Brightside ($1.95) by a big margin.
The latest double-figure winners to score an upset were Road To Rock ($41 in 2009) and Ceowulf ($10 in 2025).
In 2020 trainer Chris Waller saddled up the first four over the line in the George Main Stakes results with Kolding scoring an upset at odds of $9.50. He won again in 2021 celebrating his eighth George Main win with Verry Elleegant, before taking out the inaugural King Charles III Stakes race with Fangirl in 2023.
In 2024 Ceolwulf ran down the favourite Pride Of Jenni to score an upset at King Charles III Stakes odds of $6.50 before his 2025 title defence at $10!
2026 King Charles III Stakes Big Bets Tracker
Track the big money King Charles III Stakes bets on Saturday’s Group 1 Randwick mile feature right here.
King Charles III Stakes Field
The King Charles III Stakes race field has a capacity of 20 starters plus four emergencies but is not commonly run at that maximum.
Horses often come into the field via a lead-up run in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) or the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) run over the same track / distance.
Other gallopers may run first-up in the King Charles III Stakes field or come off a run in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) run on the same day as the Chelmsford Stakes.
The newly created $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) – a quality handicap run on Hill Stakes Day at the start of October – also now serves as a key lead-up into the King Charles III Stakes field.
2026 King Charles III Stakes Final Field
The official King Charles III Stakes 2026 field and barrier draw will be released on the Wednesday of race week and published in full below so stay tuned to see the horses that make the line-up for the $5 million WFA feature this The Everest Day.
The 2026 King Charles III Stakes field features a compact but classy line-up of just six middle-distance gallopers including the country’s best mare, Autumn Glow, chasing her 14th win from 15 starts and the dual defending champion Ceolwulf.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Ceolwulf
J: Chad Schofield
T: Joseph Pride |
6×5232 | G | 1 | 59kg | |
|
2. God’s Window
J: Siena Grima
T: Chris Waller |
123×51 | G | 2 | 59kg | |
|
3. Just Folk
J: Jamie Mott
T: Gavin Bedggood |
932322 | G | 3 | 59kg | |
|
4. Militarize
J: Zac Purton
T: Chris Waller |
23×606 | G | 5 | 59kg | |
|
5. Autumn Glow
J: James McDonald
T: Chris Waller |
113×11 | M | 4 | 57kg | |
| 6. Pride Of Jenni (5) Scratched: | |||||
King Charles III Stakes Barrier Draw 2026
The 2026 King Charles III Stakes final field and barriers are announced on the Wednesday ahead of the race at 12:00 pm (local time). The barrier draw doesn’t attract the same attention as the Everest, but it’s an important draw.
It’s a big money Group 1 race, and there is usually international interest. Therefore, drawing a good barrier can be key to the winning of the race.
Barrier 4 is the latest to produce a King Charles III Stakes winner with Ceowulf in 2025.
King Charles III Stakes Barrier Statistics
Barrier four is the gun draw for the King Charles III Stakes. Eight winners have come from barrier four since 1983, most recently Ceowulf in 2025, and it’s the place to be for the 1600m race.
King Charles III Stakes barrier stats suggest inside barriers are advantageous, but drawing wider isn’t a curse. There have been four winners in barrier 8 and five winners from barrier 9, so drawing a touch wider won’t affect betting markets too much.
Barriers 2 and 5 have five wins each, and the only barrier with only one win to its name is barrier 7.
2026 King Charles III Stakes Nominations
The early King Charles III Stakes 2026 nominations are taken the Monday ahead of the race.
The 2026 King Charles III Stakes nominations attracted a dozen weight-for-age stars dominated by the country’s best mare Autumn Glow chasing her fifth Group 1 victory.
King Charles III Stakes Form Guide
The King Charles III Stakes form guide features all the facts and stats you need to place a well-informed wager on the race including the jockey, trainer, weight allocation, barrier, age and lead-up form of all the horses in the field.
Ceowulf (Epsom Handicap 6th in 2025) was the first winner since Road To Rock (2009) to finish worse than fourth in their final lead-up, so looking for horses that ran well last time out on the form guide is a good tip.
The 2022 George Main Stakes winner Anamoe franked the form his next two starts winning the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes – Ladbrokes Cox Plate double before the George Main was renamed the following year.
The King Charles III Stakes form from 2023 was franked with the runner-up, Mr Brightside, also finishing second in that year’s Cox Plate results and Champion’s Mile during the spring. He returned in the autumn of 2024 and was huge again completing the CF Orr – Futurity double, running second in the All-Star Mile and rounding out the Queen Elizabeth Stakes trifecta.
Mr Brightside also ran a brave and luckless second with excuses to two-time champion Ceowulf in 2025.
Ceowulf franked the 2025 King Charles form with a next-up win in Melbourne’s Champions Mile.
King Charles III Stakes Form Facts
- Trainer Chris Waller prepared nine of the George Main Stakes / King Charles III Stakes winners from 2012 – 2025 including triple champion Winx (2016-18) and most recently Fangirl (2023).
- The Winx Stakes, Chelmsford Stakes and Tramway Stakes are the key lead-up races to look for on the King Charles III Stakes form guide.
- No horse has come off a non-Sydney lead-up into the King Charles III field in over 30 years.
- Favourites have a dominant record in recent results including the wins by Winx (2016, 2017, 2018), Avilius (2019), Verry Elleegant (2021), and Anamoe (2022).
2026 King Charles III Stakes Form
A link to our detailed King Charles III Stakes 2026 Form Guide & Betting Preview will be available for punters below the week of the race.
Past George Main Stakes / King Charles III Stakes Results
The George Main Stakes results (officially the King Charles III Stakes results as of 2023) are known each year after the event runs at Royal Randwick on The Everest Day in October and display the winning horse, successful trifecta, winning margin and time so you can see how your bets went.
From 2010 – 2025 the favourites saluted for the punters in the race 11 times.
Notable recent George Main Stakes winners prior to the race being renamed in 2023 include Anamoe (2022), Verry Elleegant (2021), Avilius (2019), Winx (2016-18), Sincero (2011), More Joyous (2010), and Racing To Win (2006).
Fangirl (2023) was the last George Main Stakes / King Charles III Stakes winning mare.
Viscount (2001) was the last three-year-old George Main Stakes / King Charles III Stakes winner.
Kolding holds the current 1600m George Main Stakes race record winning in 2020 in a time of 1 minute 33:3 seconds.
Ceowulf (2024 & 2025) is the latest dual King Charles III Stakes winner.
Recent George Main Stakes / King Charles III Stakes Winners
Recent George Main Stakes / King Charles III Stakes winners and placegetters dating back to the year 2000 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner | 2nd | 3rd | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Ceolwulf | Mr Brightside | Pier | 1:34.39 |
| 2024 | Ceolwulf | Pride Of Jenni | My Oberon | 1:34.07 |
| 2023 | Fangirl | Mr Brightside | My Oberon | 1:33.7 |
| 2022 | Anamoe | Icebath | Hinged | 1:38.6 |
| 2021 | Verry Elleegant | Riodini | Think It Over | 1:36.0 |
| 2020 | Kolding | Star Of The Seas | Imaging | 1:33.3 |
| 2019 | Avilius | Dreamforce | Happy Clapper | 1:36.1 |
| 2018 | Winx | Le Romain | Egg Tart | 1:34.2 |
| 2017 | Winx | Happy Clapper | Foxplay | 1:33.6 |
| 2016 | Winx | Hauraki | It’s Somewhat | 1:36.1 |
| 2015 | Kermadec | Royal Descent | Pornichet | 1:37.7 |
| 2014 | Sacred Falls | Royal Descent | Laser Hawk | 1:35.6 |
| 2013 | Streama | Royal Descent | Veyron | 1:34.7 |
| 2012 | Shoot Out | Rangirangdoo | Secret Admirer | 1:36.4 |
| 2011 | Sincero | Ilovethiscity | Triple Elegance | 1:28.5 |
| 2010 | More Joyous | Trusting | Empires Choice | 1:35.6 |
| 2009 | Road to Rock | Black Piranha | Onemorenomore | 1:35.5 |
| 2008 | Mentality | Theseo | Gallant Tess | 1:34.6 |
| 2007 | Race Not Run | – | – | – |
| 2006 | Racing To Win | Red Dazzler | Desert War | 1:33.8 |
| 2005 | Mr Celebrity | Shania Dane | Outback Prince | 1:34.6 |
| 2004 | Grand Armee | King’s Chapel | Shamekha | 1:36.9 |
| 2003 | Lonhro | Grand Armee | Defier | 1:37.5 |
| 2002 | Defier | Excellerator | Sunline | 1:38.3 |
| 2001 | Viscount | Shogun Lodge | Courvoisier | 1:36.7 |
| 2000 | Adam | Mr. Innocent | Al Mansour | 1:35.3 |