The latest edition of the Shannon Stakes took place on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at Rosehill Gardens on Golden Rose Day and was won in a brilliant three-length win by the Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou-trained favourite Skyhook ($1.50) who has the Golden Eagle in sight.
The Shannon Stakes 2026 is a key Rosehill spring feature and a genuine betting highlight for punters following the Sydney carnival, offering a deep 1500m contest that regularly shapes the form for the major mile races ahead. Run under set weights plus penalties, the race attracts seasoned Group performers, progressive types building through their prep, and stable stars looking to secure their spot in elite targets later in the campaign. With its strong history of producing runners who go on to the Epsom Handicap and King Charles III Stakes, the Shannon Stakes delivers reliable form lines, tactical racing, and high‑value betting angles that punters track closely each September. For those lining up early spring markets, speed maps, and futures plays, the Shannon Stakes is a must‑bet race that sets the tone for Sydney’s middle‑distance ranks.
2026 Shannon Stakes Results
The full Shannon Stakes 2026 race results and finishing order will be provided below as soon as the race is run and won on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
- #2 Skyhook
- #3 Estadio Mestalla
- #1 Private Eye
The 2026 Shannon Stakes winner Skyhook ($1.50F) further enhanced his Golden Eagle credentials with a dominant three-length victory in the Rosehill feature, the Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou-trained son of Written Tycoon proving far too strong under Kerrin McEvoy for Estadio Mestalla ($10), with Private Eye ($4.80) third. The in-form four-year-old stopped the clock in 1:28.58 and backed up his earlier wins in the Theo Marks Stakes, Gunsynd Classic, and Hawkesbury Guineas, continuing a breakout spring campaign. Connections have now ruled out the Epsom Handicap and are instead targeting the Silver Eagle before taking on the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Randwick on October 31. Punters quickly responded to the performance, with Ladbrokes winding in Skyhook’s Golden Eagle odds from $15 into $11, cementing his position among the leading chances for one of Australia’s richest races.
2026 Shannon Stakes Race Replay
2026 Shannon Stakes Odds & Finishing Order
The season’s top Shannon Stakes 2026 odds and Group 2 betting links to our Golden Rose Day markets will be provided below as soon as open followed by the official finishing order after the event.
Shannon Stakes 2026 Results
| 2. Skyhook (1) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 58kg 121×1 T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | ||
| 3. Estadio Mestalla (6) J: Adam Hyeronimus 57.5kg 640×9 T: Joseph Pride | ||
| 1. Private Eye (2) J: Nash Rawiller 60kg 65×27 T: Joseph Pride | ||
| 9. Encap (8) J: Rachel King 53kg 029×0 T: Gary Portelli | ||
| 5. Kovalica (4) J: Tommy Berry 56kg 579×0 T: Chris Waller | ||
| 4. New Endeavour (3) J: Regan Bayliss 57.5kg 2x73x T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 8. Portland (5) J: Tyler Schiller 53.5kg 8615x T: Matthew Smith | ||
| 10. Sovereign Hill (7) J: Dylan Gibbons 53kg 6×015 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
Shannon Stakes Tips
The Shannon Stakes betting tips that best stack-up during the spring carnival in Sydney include looking for runners proven at the track over at least 1400m, runners from the best stables in NSW and gallopers that finished in the money last start.
Ladbrokes Tip: The Shannon Stakes winner may press onto the Epsom Handicap at Randwick
2026 Shannon Stakes Predictions & Best Bets
Our Ladbrokes’ exclusive Shannon Stakes 2026 betting tips and exotic Rosehill selections on the Epsom Handicap ballot exemption-offering event will be detailed below the week of the race.
| 2. Skyhook (1) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 58kg 121×1 T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou |
| 6. Magnatear (1) Scratched: | |||
| 4. New Endeavour (3) J: Regan Bayliss 57.5kg 2x73x T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
The Shannon Stakes is a Group 2 quality handicap race run at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on a Saturday in late September during the annual Sydney Spring Racing Carnival.
Contested at the same meeting as the $1 million Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m), the $400,000 Group 2 Golden Pendant (1400m) and the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m), the race is contested over 1500m and offers $300,000 in total prize money.
Graduates may go on to run in tougher Sydney and Melbourne races over the spring carnival, but is it usually won by middle range gallopers as opposed to Group 1 stars.
The last Shannon Stakes runner to back-up and win the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) the following month at Randwick was the 2022 third place-getter Ellsberg who also completed that year’s Five Diamond Prelude – The Five Diamonds double.
The Shannon Stakes winner is exempt from both ballot and penalty for the Epsom Handicap that season.
The race can also now serve as a potential lead-up into the lucrative $1 million The Gong held at Kembla Grange in November with Mister Sea Wolf (2019) completing the double.
In 2023 Cepheus won the Shannon Stakes before victory in the inaugural $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes and a second in the $3 million The Big Dance in Sydney on Melbourne Cup Day. Tragically, Cepheus suffered a fatal injury the following spring in track work.
Shannon Stakes Race Info
- Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
- Track: Rosehill Gardens
- Distance: 1500m
- Conditions: Quality Handicap
- Status: Group 2
- Prize Money: $300,000
- First Run: 1978
Shannon Stakes Betting
Shannon Stakes betting favours local Sydney gallopers with winning form over 1400m – 1600m, proven ability at the Rosehill, and those that come off earlier Group spring runs. Graduates out of the Theo Marks Stakes at the same track a fortnight earlier usually feature high up the Shannon Stakes odds, and favourites have a solid recent record in the race.
Skyhook (2026) was the last horse to complete the Theo Marks Stakes – Shannon Stakes double.
I Am Superman ($4.60 in 2020) and Skyhook ($1.50 in 2026) are the latest favourites in Shannon Stakes betting to get the job done.
In 2021 Yonkers scored a big upset taking out the race at Shannon Stakes odds of $41.
Shannon Stakes Field
The Shannon Stakes race field features a decent line-up of middle-distance runners coming off runs in similar class in Sydney earlier during the carnival. Many Shannon Stakes horses may have had a lead-up run in a race like the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m).
Another possible lead-up run is the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m).
The best out of the Shannon Stakes sometimes head to Randwick the next month for a shot at the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m).
While the double hasn’t been achieved in recent times, in 2010 Sacred Choice ran third in the Shannon Stakes and Epsom Handicap. She also headed to Melbourne later that prep and won the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) – now known as the Empire Rose Stakes – at Flemington Racecourse.
The previous year saw the 2012 winner Rolling Pin run third next time out in the Epsom Handicap to Fat Al who came off a third in the Group 2 and earlier second in that year’s Theo Marks Stakes.
Shannon Stakes nominations close the Monday before the race runs on the Saturday with the field and barrier draw announced on the Wednesday.
2026 Shannon Stakes Field
The official Shannon Stakes 2026 Final Field & Barrier Draw will be published in full below the Wednesday leading-up to Golden Rose Stakes Day so stay tuned to see what gallopers line-up in the Group 2 feature.
The 2026 Shannon Stakes final field features 10 quality middle-distance gallopers including four-year-old Skyhook coming off a good win fresh in the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes and surprise runner-up in that same key lead-up, Magnatear, drawn the rails.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Private Eye
J: Nash Rawiller
T: Joseph Pride |
365×27 | G | 2 | 60kg | |
|
2. Skyhook
J: Kerrin Mcevoy
T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou |
6121×1 | H | 1 | 58kg | |
|
3. Estadio Mestalla
J: Adam Hyeronimus
T: Joseph Pride |
x640x9 | G | 6 | 57.5kg | |
|
4. New Endeavour
J: Regan Bayliss
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
12x73x | G | 3 | 57.5kg | |
|
5. Kovalica
J: Tommy Berry
T: Chris Waller |
0579×0 | G | 4 | 56kg | |
| 6. Magnatear (1) Scratched: | |||||
| 7. Punch Lane (5) Scratched: | |||||
|
8. Portland
J: Tyler Schiller
T: Matthew Smith |
38615x | G | 5 | 53.5kg | |
|
9. Encap
J: Rachel King
T: Gary Portelli |
0029×0 | G | 8 | 53kg | |
|
10. Sovereign Hill
J: Dylan Gibbons
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
26×015 | G | 7 | 53kg | |
2026 Shannon Stakes Nominations
The Shannon Stakes 2026 Nominations are announced by Racing NSW the Monday of race week and will be published below once announced.
Shannon Stakes Form Guide
The Shannon Stakes form guide details to punters all the facts and stats from the jockeys, trainers and barriers to the horse’s records over the track / distance and their lead-up runs.
The Shannon Stakes form has stacked-up in tougher carnival features a number of times over the years including in 2015 when the third place-getter Messene ran fourth in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) behind Winx next time out. In 2014 the Shannon Stakes third-placed Ninth Legion also ran fourth in the Epsom next time out.
The 2022 Shannon Stakes form was franked with Ellsberg improving on a third to win the Epsom, Five Diamond Prelude, and The Five Diamonds races that spring.
2026 Shannon Stakes Form Guide
A link to our detailed Shannon Stakes 2026 Form Guide will be provided for punters below the week of the race.
Past Shannon Stakes Results
The Shannon Stakes race results from the past decade have been a mix between favourites and double-figure chances including Rain Drum ($13 in 2013) and roughie Yonkers ($41 in 2021) for Chris Waller.
Recent and noteworthy winners of the Shannon Stakes include Skyhook (2026), Rock Sturdy (2014), Musket (2008), and Juggler (1996).
Noire (2018) was the last Shannon Stakes winning mare.
Moral Victory holds the current Shannon Stakes race record winning over 1500m in 2016 in 1 minute 28:06 seconds.
Recent Shannon Stakes Winners
Recent Shannon Stakes winners and placegetters dating back to the year 2022 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Third | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Skyhook | Estadio Mestalla | Private Eye | 1:28.58 |
| 2025 | Waterford | Rise At Dawn | Osipenko | 1:28.07 |
| 2024 | Amor Victorious | Punch Lane | New Endeavour | 1:29.06 |
| 2023 | Cepheus | Williamsburg | Waterford | 1:28.5 |
| 2022 | Surf Dancer | Old Flame | Ellsberg | 1:29.7 |
| 2021 | Yonkers | Discharged | Reloaded | 1:28.2 |
| 2020 | I Am Superman | Riodini | Looks Like Elvis | 1:29.1 |
| 2019 | Mister Sea Wolf | Gem Song | Tom Melbourne | 1:29.1 |
| 2018 | Noire | Kingsguard | Youngstar | 1:29.4 |
| 2017 | Washington Heights | Mighty Lucky | Imposing Lass | 1:28.8 |
| 2016 | Moral Victory | Caped Crusader | Cosmic Cube | 1:28.0 |
| 2015 | Vashka | God’s In Him | Messene | 1:29.2 |
| 2014 | Rock Sturdy | Liberty’s Choice | Ninth Legion | 1:28.8 |
| 2013 | Rain Drum | Centennial Park | Our Desert Warrior | 1:29.3 |
| 2012 | Rolling Pin | Offenders | Fat Al | 1:31.1 |
| 2011 | King Lionheart | Fast Clip | Lone Command | 1:29.9 |
| 2010 | Firebolt | Centennial Park | Sacred Choice | 1:28.5 |
| 2009 | Drumbeats | Rangirangdoo | Strat’s Flyer | 1:30.1 |
| 2008 | Musket | Black Piranha | Ice Chariot | 1:30.5 |
| 2007 | Race Not Run | – | – | – |
| 2006 | Stormhill | Temple Hills | Newton’s Rings | 1:28.4 |
| 2005 | Lotteria | Studebaker | Swick | 1:30.2 |
| 2004 | Nips | Whoc | Irongail | 1:28.3 |
| 2003 | Sportsman | Amex | Nips | 1:28.1 |
| 2002 | Gordo | Shot Of Thunder | Evander | 1:29.7 |
| 2001 | On Type | Century Kid | Diamond Dane | 1:22.4 |
| 2000 | Al Mansour | Chinhoyi | Varicool | 1:29.5 |
FAQs
How do I bet on the 2026 Shannon Stakes?
Bet online or via the latest iOS/Android apps with Ladbrokes.
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Once you've created your account you can make a deposit via credit card, or any other of our secure payment methods. Next up, head to the racing page and find the race and runner that's right for you.
Which horse will win the 2026 Shannon Stakes?
The best way to pick which horse will win the Shannon Stakes is to take into account the form, assess the barriers, and consider the weight the horse will carry (among other factors). Check out Ladbrokes in the lead up to the race for full form information.
When is the Shannon Stakes 2026?
The 2026 Shannon Stakes is set to run in Sydney on Saturday September 26 as one of the key support races on Golden Rose Day as we move deeper into the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival and the Group 1 majors approach. It is scheduled as Rosehill Race 9 at 4:45pm (AEST) as the penultimate event on the 10-race card.
What is the prize money for the Shannon Stakes 2026?
The 2026 Shannon Stakes prize money is set at $300,000 which is paid from 1st to 10th place including $170,000 going to the Shannon Stakes winner.
Where is the Shannon Stakes 2026?
The Shannon Stakes 2026 is run at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney, one of Australia’s premier racing venues and home to some of the biggest early‑spring features, which is located at James Ruse Drive, Rosehill, NSW 2142.
What distance is the Shannon Stakes run over?
The Shannon Stakes is run over 1500 metres, making it one of Rosehill’s key middle‑distance tests during the Sydney spring.
How many horses run in the Shannon Stakes?
The Shannon Stakes generally draws a field of around 12–14 runners, depending on acceptances and race‑morning scratchings. As a competitive Group 2 event at Rosehill, it regularly attracts a full line‑up of proven middle‑distance horses and emerging spring contenders aiming to secure their spot in the major mile races ahead.
Who won the 2026 Shannon Stakes?
The 2026 Shannon Stakes was won by four-year-old Written Tycoon entire Skyhook at odds-on $1.50 favouritism off a lead-up Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes win for trainers Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou with jockey Kerrin McEvoy aboard on 58kg from barrier 1 to beat Estadio Mestalla home by 2.9 lengths in a time of 1:28.58 on a Good (4) track.
Who won the 2025 Shannon Stakes?
The 2025 Shannon Stakes was won by seven-year-old Awtaad gelding Waterford at $7 for trainer Chris Waller with jockey James McDonald aboard on 56kg to win by 2.29 lengths on a Good (4) track in a time of 1:28.07.