Ladbrokes Tip: The Ken Russell Memorial Classic is a key lead-up into the Group 1 J.J. Atkins each winter
The next edition of the Ken Russell Memorial Classic takes place at the Gold Coast Racecourse on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
2026 Ken Russell Memorial Classic Odds
The top Ken Russell Memorial Classic 2026 odds on the potential Group 1 bound winter juveniles contesting the Group 3 will be available below as soon as released so stay tuned for the best racing markets on the event.
Ken Russell Memorial Classic Tips
Ken Russell Memorial Classic tips include looking for horses proven over the distance and those with good lead-up form in similar class races.
Backing either local Queensland or Sydney-trained two-year-olds and looking at the colts over the fillies are other key Ken Russell betting tips.
2026 Ken Russell Memorial Classic Tips
Our Ladbrokes’ insider Ken Russell Memorial Classic 2026 betting tips and Group 3 racing selections will be detailed below leading up to the race so bookmark this page for the horses to back and sack heading into the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.
The Ken Russell Memorial Classic is an important Group 3 race run at the Gold Coast Racecourse* in Queensland on A.D. Hollindale Stakes Day each May.
*The 2024 Ken Russell Memorial Classic and entire A.D. Hollindale Stakes Day card again ran at the Sunshine Coast Racecourse.
The first major lead-up meeting for horses heading towards the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, Hollindale Day features a host of top races including the: Group 2 $500,000 A.D. Hollindale Stakes (1800m), the Group 3 $200,000 Gold Coast Guineas (1600m) and the Ken Russell Memorial Classic.
First held in 1974, the Ken Russell Memorial Classic is a 1200m set weights sprint for two-year-old horses and has held Group 3 status since 2014.
The event is named in honour of former top Queensland hoop Kenneth Charles Russell (1951–1993) who tragically died in a race fall at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney.
A four-time leading Gold Coast jockey, Ken Russell won a host of Group 1 races over his illustrious career including the Doncaster Handicap (1989) and the George Ryder Stakes (1991).
Formerly run over 1400m (1974–1999) and 1300m (2000–2005) the race has been held over the current distance of 1200m since 2006. It was also originally a handicap event before changing to set weights in 2005.
The Ken Russell Memorial Classic is a key lead-up for juveniles targeting the Group 1 $1 million J.J. Atkins (1600m) run at Eagle Farm in June and Sizzling (2012) was the last to do the double.
Ken Russell Memorial Classic Race Info
- Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
- Track: Gold Coast Racecourse
- Distance: 1200m
- Conditions: 2YOs – Set Weights
- Status: Group 3
- Prize Money: $200,000
- First Run: 1974
Ken Russell Memorial Classic 2026 Results
The official 2026 Ken Russell Memorial Classic Results & Finishing Order will be announced below once the race is run and won on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Ken Russell Memorial Betting
Ken Russell Memorial Classic betting markets are usually dominated by locally trained two-year-olds coming off good lead-up runs in class Queensland races over the autumn.
Two-year-olds with proven form at the distance and further track sit high up the Ken Russell Memorial Classic odds.
Wisdom Of Water ($1.35 in 2020), Nettuno ($2.20 in 2022), Althoff ($5 in 2024), and Beadman ($1.80 in 2025) who won by over eight lengths are the last Ken Russell Memorial Classic favourites to salute for the punters.
Ken Russell Memorial Classic Field
The Ken Russell Memorial Classic race field attracts a collection of the season’s best young two-year-olds, many coming off lead-up runs in Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
Horses that contested the Gold Coast Magic Millions races during the summer often do well in the Ken Russell Memorial Classic later in the year.
Following a run in the Ken Russell Memorial Classic field young horses often back-up in the Group 2 $1 million BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at the end of May. Sizzling (2012) was the last runner to complete the Ken Russell – BRC Sires’ race double.
In 2022 the Ken Russell third placed filly Sheeza Belter went on to win both the BRC Sires’ and that year’s JJ Atkins.
Ken Russell Memorial Classic nominations close the Monday before the race with the final field and barriers out two days later on the Wednesday.
2026 Ken Russell Memorial Classic Field
The official Ken Russell Memorial Classic 2026 field & barrier draw will be released by Racing Queensland on the Wednesday of race week and announced in full below so stay tuned to see what gallopers are in the mix.
2026 Ken Russell Memorial Classic Nominations
The early 2026 Ken Russell Memorial Classic nominations are taken on the Monday of race week.
Ken Russell Memorial Classic Form Guide
The Ken Russell Memorial Classic form guide details essential information for punters like the jockeys, trainers, barriers and lead-up runs of all the horses in the field.
The Ken Russell Memorial Classic form has gone on to hold in tougher grade races a number of times over the years including the 2018 winner Sesar taking out the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) that spring in Sydney.
The 2023 Ken Russell Memorial Classic form was franked with the runner-up Abounding returning in the summer to win the $3 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas on the Gold Coast in January of 2024.
2026 Ken Russell Memorial Classic Form Guide
A link to our comprehensive Ken Russell Memorial Classic 2026 Form Guide will be provided for punters below the week of the race.
Past Ken Russell Memorial Classic Results
Ken Russell Memorial Classic race results in recent years have been dominated by the colts with Russian Alliance (2023), Royal Tithe (2016) and Aimee (2014) the only fillies since 2003 to beat home the boys in the event.
Notable Ken Russell Memorial winners in recent years include Sizzling (2012), Taking Aim (2017), Wisdom Of Water (2020), and eight-length champion Beadman (2025).
Recent Ken Russell Memorial Classic Winners
Past Ken Russell Memorial Classic winners and placegetters dating back to the year 2012 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner | 2nd | 3rd | Time |
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Beadman | Sunrays | Fabulantes | 1:10.63 |
| 2024 | Althoff | Silva ‘N’ Suave | Gin A Tonic | 1:13.71 |
| 2023 | Russian Alliance | Abounding | Trifling | 1:11.2 |
| 2022 | Nettuno | Midnight In Tokyo | Sheeza Belter | 1:14.3 |
| 2021 | Subterranean | Ranch Hand | Rhapsody Rose | 1:11.6 |
| 2020 | Wisdom Of Water | =2 Tick Tock Boom | =2 Superare | 1:09.1 |
| 2019 | Stronger | Accession | Take Tea | 1:13.1 |
| 2018 | Sesar | Boomsara | Lean Mean Machine | 1:08.6 |
| 2017 | Taking Aim | Dissolution | Lord Cecil | 1:08.8 |
| 2016 | Royal Tithe | Oink | Impending | 1:10.1 |
| 2015 | Big Tree | Blueberry Hill | Regatta Rebel | 1:11.4 |
| 2014 | Aimee | Sagatona | Goodbye Kevin | 1:14.0 |
| 2013 | Le Val | Londehero | Diamond Oasis | 1:09.7 |
| 2012 | Sizzling | Dances On Stars | Dansonate | 1:14.7 |
FAQ
Who won the 2025 Ken Russell Memorial Classic?
The 2025 Ken Russell Memorial Classic was won by two-year-old Snitzel colt Beadman at $1.80 favouritism for trainer Peter Snowden with jockey James McDonald aboard on 57kg from barrier 3 to win by a dominant 8.3 lengths in a time of 1:10.63.
When is the Ken Russell Memorial Classic 2026?
Saturday, May 9, 2026What is the prize money for the Ken Russell Memorial Classic 2026?
$200,000
Where is the Ken Russell Memorial Classic 2026?
Gold Coast Racecourse, Racecourse Drive, Bundall, QLD 4217.
How do I bet on the 2026 Ken Russell Memorial Classic?
Bet online or via the latest iOS/Android apps with Ladbrokes.
The first step is to create an account at ladbrokes.com.au. The process is quick and easy!
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 Ken Russell Memorial Classic?
The best way to pick which horse will win the Ken Russell Memorial Classic is to take into account the form, assess the barriers, and consider the weight the horse will carry (among other factors). Check out ladbrokes.com.au in the lead up to the race for full form information.