Ladbrokes Tip: The Russell Balding Stakes (Winners Stakes) usually attracts a field full of The Everest race graduates
The 2025 edition of the Winners Stakes ran as the Russell Balding Stakes on Saturday, November 1, 2025 in Sydney offering $3 million in prize money at Randwick Racecourse (moved from Rosehill in 2025) and was won in runaway fashion by the top fancy Jimmysstar ($2.50F) for trainer Ciaron Maher.
2025 Russell Balding Stakes (Winners Stakes)
The official Russell Balding Stakes 2025 Results and Finishing Order will be published below once the event is run and won on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
- 1st: No. 2 Jimmysstar
- 2nd: No. 12 Lady Shenandoah
- 3rd: No. 13 Mazu
Ciaron Maher’s classy Group 1 winning sprinter, Jimmysstar ($2.50F), delivered on the big stage again when coming off a third in The Everest to salute for the punters in the 2025 Russell Balding Stakes results thanks to another peach of a ride by jockey Ethan Brown. Settling midfield, he was unleashed down the centre of the track and powered past a quality field that included six Everest runners. His sustained speed and timing were unmatched, leaving Lady Shenandoah and Mazu to fight for the minor placings. He will now be considered for a quick back-up and trip to Flemington for the Champions Sprint, which he pays $8 to win.
2025 Russell Balding Stakes Odds
The latest Russell Balding Stakes (Winners Stakes) 2025 odds will be provided below complete with market links as soon as betting on the $3 million feature is open.
| 2. Jimmysstar (2) J: Ethan Brown 58.5kg 1x523T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 12. Lady Shenandoah (10) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 1x247T: Chris Waller | ||
| 13. Mazu (7) J: Rachel King 56.5kg x5439T: Joseph Pride | ||
| 15. Coal Crusher (15) J: Chad Schofield 56kg 20x56T: Joseph Pride | ||
| 4. Private Eye (9) J: Nash Rawiller 57.5kg x1241T: Joseph Pride | ||
| 7. Strauss (13) J: Joao Moreira 57.5kg x0x3xT: Ryo Takei | ||
| 14. With Your Blessing (3) J: Alysha Collett 56.5kg 52313T: John P Thompson | ||
| 16. Amor Victorious (12) J: Regan Bayliss 57.5kg 3187xT: Bjorn Baker | ||
| 1. Briasa (4) J: Tyler Schiller 58.5kg 4x218T: M, W & J Hawkes | ||
| 8. Waterford (1) J: Dylan Gibbons 57.5kg 4x010T: Chris Waller | ||
| 11. Airman (14) J: Zac Lloyd 57.5kg 0x574T: M, W & J Hawkes | ||
| 3. War Machine (5) J: Tim Clark 58.5kg 11x10T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | ||
| 9. Golden Mile (6) J: Tom Marquand 57.5kg 330x0T: Joseph Pride | ||
| 5. Rothfire (8) J: Jason Collett 57.5kg 7x971T: Robert Heathcote | ||
| 6. Iowna Merc (11) J: Josh Parr 57.5kg 00x62T: Bjorn Baker |
Russell Balding Stakes Tips
Early Russell Balding Stakes (Winners Stakes) tips include watching for horses coming off good lead-up runs in earlier spring races including The Shorts and Premier Stakes in Sydney. Gallopers with nice Group 1 race form, previous The Everest runners and those that have specifically targeted the Russell Balding Stakes across their campaigns also make good tips.
2025 Russell Balding Stakes Tipping
Our insider Russell Balding Stakes 2025 tipping guide complete with the horses to back and sack in this year’s Russell Balding Stakes tips will be available below the week leading up to the Golden Eagle Day.
To Win: No. 2 Jimmysstar
JIMMYSSTAR (3) looks every bit the horse to beat in the $3 million Russell Balding, and I’m confident he gets the job done. He was luckless in The Everest, stuck in the wrong spot, but still managed to run a cracking third against the best sprinters in the world.
Before that, he launched from last in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes here on October 4, storming home to finish a close second behind Briasa over 1200m with 58.5kg on his back. That run confirmed he’s got the engine to match it at this level.
He drops into a slightly softer race now, draws perfectly in barrier 3 for a smoother run, and sticks with Ethan Brown — who knows him well. He’s proven at the track, conditions suit, and he’s ready to peak. I’m backing him with confidence.
|
2. Jimmysstar (2)
J: Ethan Brown 58.5kg
1×523T: Ciaron Maher
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The Russell Balding Stakes – previously known as the Winners Stakes – is one of the feature races held over the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival running at Randwick Racecourse (moved from Rosehill Gardens in 2025) on the Golden Eagle Day in early November as part of the revamped Everest Carnival that offers over $60 million in total prize money!
The $10 million Golden Eagle for four-year-olds now rivals Melbourne’s Victoria Derby Day action on the Saturday prior to the Melbourne Cup for the punters’ attention and is now supported by the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes, prize money for the event boosted from $1 million to $3 million ahead of the 2022 edition.
The event was run for the first time in 2019 as the Redzel Stakes, 2020 as the Yes Yes Yes Stakes, 2021 as the Classique Legend Stakes, 2022 as the Nature Strip Stakes, and 2023 as the Giga Kick Stakes in honour of the respective The Everest winning horses.
Ahead of the 2024 edition the Winners Stakes underwent a name change, honouring the legacy of Russell Balding, a pivotal figure in the development of the Sydney Everest Carnival. Balding’s significant contributions to racing in New South Wales led to the renaming of the prestigious race in his honour.
The other feature race on the Sydney race card is the $750,000 Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m).
The line-up of Special Condition races boosts the overall prize money to over $15 million on offer across the day.
The Russell Balding Stakes (Winners Stakes) is a 1300m middle-distance sprint race offering $3 million in prize money run under set weight and penalty conditions.
Each Sydney Spring Racing Carnival the Winners Stakes was renamed in honour of the previous year’s The Everest winner until 2024. Accordingly, the inaugural edition of the race was known as The Redzel Stakes 2019.
Redzel (2017, 2018) won the opening two editions of the world’s richest turf race – The Everest – but failed in his attempt at the three-peat in 2019.
The 2020 Winners Stakes was known as the Yes Yes Yes Stakes after Chris Waller’s gun three-year-old won the 2019 The Everest and was won by the favourite Gytrash.
The Winners Stakes in 2021 was run as the Classique Legend Stakes after a brilliant 2020 The Everest win by the classy grey.
In 2022 the Winners Stakes was run as the Nature Strip Stakes in honour of Chris Waller’s 2021 The Everest champ and subsequent Group 1 winner in the UK.
The 2023 Winners Stakes was known as the Giga Kick Stakes in honour of the 2022 The Everest winning three-year-old who won as an undefeated youngster at just his fifth start.
The 2024 Winners Stakes took place as the Russell Balding Stakes meaning the 2023 The Everest winner Think About It went get a name in his honour over the 2024 spring carnival.
In 2024 star mare Bella Nipotina completed The Everest – Russell Balding Stakes double becoming the first ever mare to win the former and the first dual time champion of the latter with her sensational title defense.
The 2024 Russell Balding Stakes proved to be a key form guide for the Group 1 Champions Sprint. Bella Nipotina validated the form with a third-place finish in the prestigious race, while the Russell Balding Stakes runner-up, Sunshine In Paris, went on to win the Champions Sprint, turning the tables on Bella Nipotina in the process.
In 2025 the Russell Balding Stakes was won by that year’s The Everest third placegetter Jimmysstar.
Russell Balding Stakes Stakes Info
- Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
- Former Registered Name: Winners Stakes
- Track: Randwick Racecourse
- Distance: 1300m
- Conditions: 3YOs & Up – Set Weights + Penalties
- Status: Special Condition
- Prize Money: $3 million
- First Run: 2019
Russell Balding Stakes Betting
Betting on the Russell Balding Stakes in the spring is led by in-form sprint types coming off nice form in lead-up races in Sydney.
Good events to keep an eye on that impact Russell Balding Stakes (Winners Stakes) betting each season include the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick in mid-September and of course the $20 million The Everest (1200m) held a fortnight before.
The inaugural Winners Stakes winner was Pierata who took out the 2019 Redzel Stakes on the back of a fifth in The Everest.
The following year the Winners Stakes (run as the Yes Yes Yes Stakes) was won by the favourite in betting Gytrash who was backing-up from a third in The Everest race.
In 2021 Eduardo improved on a third in that spring’s The Everest trifecta to also salute for the punters as the $3 favourite in the markets.
The 2022 winner Private Eye won at $5.50 on the back of his second in The Everest, while Mazu ran third in The Everest and second in that year’s Winners Stakes – run as the Nature Strip Stakes.
Private Eye returned in 2023 and was narrowly denied back-to-back wins when run down late by the mare Bella Nipotina who jumped at Giga Kick Stakes odds of $10.
In 2024 Bella Nipotina completed The Everest – Russell Balding Stakes double.
In 2025 Jimmysstar ran third in The Everest before his Russell Balding Stakes victory.
Russell Balding Stakes betting on The Everest graduates and track specialists will be firm, especially on local hopes opting to stay in Sydney over a trip to Melbourne for the Cup Carnival Group 1s at Flemington that same week.
Russell Balding Stakes Field
The Russell Balding Stakes (Winners Stakes) race field attracts sprinters and middle-distance runners alike chasing the lucrative prize money on offer in Sydney.
Many of these horses may previously have targeted the following Saturday’s Group 1 VRC Classic (1200m) – now known as the Champions Sprint – down the Flemington straight, but the Russell Balding Stakes field now provides horses better suited to the track a shot at a nice feature race win without having to race over the ‘Straight Six’ in Melbourne.
Sprinters out of The Everest field the month before may also opt to back-up in the Russell Balding Stakes field, which will suit horses with form over 1200m – 1400m as opposed to the genuine short-distance runners.
The Everest – (Russell Balding Stakes) Winners Stakes double becomes a new feature for connections to target and for punters to enjoy a spring bet on and Bella Nipotina (2024) was the last to complete it.
The Russell Balding Stakes (Winners Stakes) field boasts a capacity 16 starters.
2025 Russell Balding Stakes Field
The official Russell Balding Stakes 2025 field and barriers will be provided below once Racing NSW announces final acceptances the week of the race.
The 2025 Russell Balding Stakes final field features a capacity line-up of sprinters including last start Group 3 Moonga Stakes winner Private Eye, Brisbane veteran Rothfire who broke a notable drought with his Group 3 Sydney Stakes win on The Everest Day, and The Everest third placegetter Jimmysstar drawn well in gate four.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Briasa
J: Tyler Schiller
T: M, W & J Hawkes |
14x218 | G | 4 | 58.5kg | |
|
2. Jimmysstar
J: Ethan Brown
T: Ciaron Maher |
41x523 | G | 2 | 58.5kg | |
|
3. War Machine
J: Tim Clark
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
111x10 | G | 5 | 58.5kg | |
|
4. Private Eye
J: Nash Rawiller
T: Joseph Pride |
3x1241 | G | 9 | 57.5kg | |
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5. Rothfire
J: Jason Collett
T: Robert Heathcote |
27x971 | G | 8 | 57.5kg | |
|
6. Iowna Merc
J: Josh Parr
T: Bjorn Baker |
100x62 | G | 11 | 57.5kg | |
|
7. Strauss
J: Joao Moreira
T: Ryo Takei |
1x0x3x | H | 13 | 57.5kg | |
|
8. Waterford
J: Dylan Gibbons
T: Chris Waller |
64x010 | G | 1 | 57.5kg | |
|
9. Golden Mile
J: Tom Marquand
T: Joseph Pride |
0330x0 | G | 6 | 57.5kg | |
| 10. Jedibeel (12) Scratched: | |||||
|
11. Airman
J: Zac Lloyd
T: M, W & J Hawkes |
50x574 | G | 14 | 57.5kg | |
|
12. Lady Shenandoah
J: James McDonald
T: Chris Waller |
11x247 | M | 10 | 56.5kg | |
|
13. Mazu
J: Rachel King
T: Joseph Pride |
6x5439 | G | 7 | 56.5kg | |
|
14. With Your Blessing
J: Alysha Collett
T: John P Thompson |
x52313 | G | 3 | 56.5kg | |
|
15. Coal Crusher
J: Chad Schofield
T: Joseph Pride |
020x56 | G | 15 | 56kg | |
|
16. Amor Victorious
J: Regan Bayliss
T: Bjorn Baker |
23187x | G | 12 | 57.5kg | |
| 17. Caballus (2) Scratched: | |||||
| 18. Felix Majestic (3) Scratched: | |||||
| 19. Phearson (18) Scratched: | |||||
2025 Russell Balding Stakes Nominations
The official 2025 Russell Balding Stakes nominations close on the Monday of race week.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 617x50x574 | AIRMAN | G | 6 | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | 106 |
| 2 | 174x23187x | AMOR VICTORIOUS | G | 6 | Bjorn Baker | 101 |
| 3 | x116x1x146 | ANGEL CAPITAL | H | 4 | Chris Waller | 110 |
| 4 | 11x414x218 | BRIASA | G | 5 | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | 117 |
| 5 | x90887x1x5 | CABALLUS | G | 5 | Bjorn Baker | 101 |
| 6 | 03x5020x56 | COAL CRUSHER | G | 8 | Joseph Pride | 105 |
| 7 | 1148×66319 | DISNECK | G | 5 | Bjorn Baker | 94 |
| 8 | 9x3421x512 | EVAPORATE (NZ) | G | 4 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 110 |
| 9 | 42x400x270 | FELIX MAJESTIC | G | 6 | Gary Nickson | 93 |
| 10 | 43x60330x0 | GOLDEN MILE | G | 6 | Joseph Pride | 107 |
| 11 | 10112×3796 | HERE TO SHOCK (NZ) | G | 8 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 111 |
| 12 | 4221100×62 | IOWNA MERC | G | 6 | Bjorn Baker | 109 |
| 13 | x19028x840 | JEDIBEEL (NZ) | G | 6 | Brad Widdup | 106 |
| 14 | 0x1341x523 | JIMMYSSTAR (NZ) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher | 116 |
| 15 | 11x111x247 | LADY SHENANDOAH | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 115 |
| 16 | 65516×5439 | MAZU | G | 7 | Joseph Pride | 109 |
| 17 | 1x2120x212 | MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) | G | 8 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 120 |
| 18 | 973664×368 | OSTRAKA | G | 5 | Annabel & Rob Archibald | 104 |
| 19 | 9x4850644x | PHEARSON | G | 8 | Brad Widdup | 93 |
| 20 | 814x3x1241 | PRIVATE EYE | G | 8 | Joseph Pride | 114 |
| 21 | 64x427x971 | ROTHFIRE | G | 8 | Robert Heathcote | 111 |
| 22 | 6x2x1x0x3x | STRAUSS (JPN) | H | 5 | Ryo Takei | 107 |
| 23 | 80x2111x10 | WAR MACHINE (NZ) | G | 5 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 114 |
| 24 | 081x64x010 | WATERFORD (IRE) | G | 7 | Chris Waller | 107 |
| 25 | 1412×52313 | WITH YOUR BLESSING (NZ) | G | 7 | John Thompson | 107 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Russell Balding Stakes Form Guide
The Russell Balding Stakes (Winners Stakes) form guide provides all the must know race facts and stats on the confirmed horses in the field including barriers, jockeys, career statistics and the track conditions for the Golden Eagle Day.
Looking over the Russell Balding Stakes (Winners Stakes) form guide for horses with a nice record in the Sydney races, gallopers proven over at least 1200m and sprinters that ran well in the previous month’s The Everest results is crucial.
The 2023 winner Bella Nipotina firmly franked the form going on to run top three in a host of subsequent Group 1 Australian horse races including the 2024 TJ Smith Stakes (2nd), Doomben 10,000 (1st), Kingsford Smith Cup (2nd), Stradbroke Handicap (2nd), and Tatt’s Tiara (1st).
She returned to win both The Everest and the Russell Balding Stakes when defending her title in the latter in 2024.
2025 Russell Balding Stakes Form
A link to our comprehensive Russell Balding Stakes 2025 form guide will be provided for punters below the week of the race.
Russell Balding Stakes Results
The Russell Balding Stakes (Winners Stakes) race results provide punters with the complete finishing order of the $3 million race including where the favourite in Russell Balding Stakes betting finished.
How your Russell Balding Stakes bets went, what the Russell Balding Stakes trifecta was and the winning margin can all be found in the results.
Eduardo holds the current Russell Balding Stakes (Winners Stakes) race record winning the 2021 Classique Legend Stakes in a time of 1 minute 15.16 seconds.
Bella Nipotina (2023 & 2024) is the first and to date only Russell Balding Stakes (Winners Stakes) winning mare.
Bella Nipotina holds the current Russell Balding Stakes race record winning her second in 1 minute 14.96 seconds in 2024.
Past Russell Balding Stakes / Winners Stakes Winners
A complete list of past Russell Balding Stakes / Winners Stakes winners and placegetters dating back to the race’s inauguration in 2019 is detailed below.
| Year | Winner | 2nd | 3rd | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (Russell Balding Stakes) | Jimmysstar | Lady Shenandoah | Mazu | 1:16.57 |
| 2024 (Russell Balding Stakes) | Bella Nipotina | Sunshine In Paris | Lady Laguna | 1:14.96 (R) |
| 2023 (Giga Kick Stakes) | Bella Nipotina | Private Eye | Think About It | 1:15.50 |
| 2022 (Nature Strip Stakes) | Private Eye | Mazu | Kementari | 1:15.93 |
| 2021 (Classique Legend Stakes) | Eduardo | Lost And Running | Standout | 1:15.16 |
| 2020 (Yes Yes Yes Stakes) | Gytrash | Haut Brion Her | Imaging | 1:17.85 |
| 2019 (Redzel Stakes) | Pierata | Trekking | Le Romain | 1:16.59 |
FAQ
Who won the 2025 Russell Balding Stakes?
The 2025 Russell Balding Stakes was won by six-year-old Per Incanto gelding Jimmysstar at $2.50 favouritism for trainer Ciaron Maher with jockey Ethan Brown aboard on 58.5kg from barrier 2 to win by 2.67 lengths on a Soft (7) track in a time of 1:16.75.
Who won the 2024 Russell Balding Stakes?
The 2024 Russell Balding Stakes was won by the Ciaron Maher-trained Bella Nipotina who jumped the $2.50 favourite and was ridden by Craig Williams.
When is the Russell Balding Stakes 2025?
Saturday, November 1, 2025What is the prize money for the Russell Balding Stakes 2025?
$3,000,000
Where is the Russell Balding Stakes 2025?
Randwick Racecourse, Alison Road, Randwick, NSW 2031.
How do I bet on the 2025 Russell Balding Stakes?
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 2025 Russell Balding Stakes?
The best way to pick which horse will win the Russell Balding 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.com.au in the lead up to the race for full form information.