Looking this year’s Sapphire Stakes betting odds, field and race day tips? The experts at Neds have put together everything you need to know.
Sapphire Stakes 2026 Results
The official 2026 Sapphire Stakes results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
- #5 In Flight
- #2 Infancy
- #3 Gangsta Granny
Jockey Craig Williams capped off a memorable Day 2 of The Championships with his peach of a ride to get the Joe Pride-trained Flying Artie mare In Flight ($15) back in the winner’s stall in an upset 2026 Sapphire Stakes result. Working into the clear from an off-pace ride on the home straight, In Flight stormed through the middle inside the 100m sprinting off with an impressive and fast-finishing effort to deny Infancy by three-quarters of a length with Gangsta Granny running third as the beaten favourite. In Flight is now Brisbane-bound for a potential shot at the Group 1 Doomben 10,000.
2026 Sapphire Stakes Odds
Sapphire Stakes 2026 Results
| 5. In Flight (1) J: Craig Williams 56kg 64×78 T: Joseph Pride | ||
| 2. Infancy (12) J: Jason Collett 57kg 868×0 T: Kris Lees | ||
| 3. Gangsta Granny (11) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 13×12 T: M, W & J Hawkes | ||
| 11. More Territories (6) J: Dylan Gibbons 55kg 06×50 T: Tom Charlton | ||
| 10. Monte Supreme (9) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 55kg 20×67 T: Bjorn Baker | ||
| 7. Coco Jamboo (3) J: Ben Thompson 56kg 650×0 T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | ||
| 1. Splash Back (2) J: Jordan Childs 57kg 5128x T: Grahame Begg | ||
| 12. Spring Lee (7) J: Rachel King 55kg 8×803 T: Bjorn Baker | ||
| 6. Flying For Fun (10) J: Zac Lloyd 56kg 271×1 T: Bryce Heys | ||
| 13. Monte Kate (8) J: Jamie Melham 55kg 02112 T: Robert & Luke Price | ||
| 14. Husk (4) J: Tyler Schiller 55kg 3109x T: M, W & J Hawkes | ||
| 4. Catch The Glory (5) J: Adam Hyeronimus 56.5kg 2x1x1 T: Jason Coyle |
Sapphire Stakes 2026 Tips
Our exclusive 2026 Sapphire Stakes tips will be detailed here the week of the race and a full betting preview published on the Neds Blog.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR COMPLETE 2026 THE CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 2 PREVIEW & TIPS
| 3. Gangsta Granny (11) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 13×12 T: M, W & J Hawkes |
| 4. Catch The Glory (5) J: Adam Hyeronimus 56.5kg 2x1x1 T: Jason Coyle |
| 13. Monte Kate (8) J: Jamie Melham 55kg 02112 T: Robert & Luke Price |
The Sapphire Stakes is a Group 2 race for fillies and mares held at Randwick Racecourse in April as part of ‘The Championships. Run on Day 2, which traditionally takes place on the second Saturday of April, the race is a key support act on the program headlined by the Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
A 1200m sprint race, the Sapphire Stakes offers $300,000 in prize money and is conducted at set weights plus penalties.
The Sapphire Stakes was inaugurated in 1998 and gained Group 2 status in 2007.
Some of the better female gallopers out of the race may continue onto the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) back at the track the following week and Atlantic Jewel (2012) was the last to do the double.
The Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) in Adelaide in late April or early May is another good next-up option for Sapphire Stakes graduates and that double was last completed by Secret Agenda (2017).
The 2022 Sapphire Stakes winner Bella Nipotina returned that spring and won Melbourne’s Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
The 2023 Sapphire Stakes winner Zapateo ran third in both the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes and The Goodwood in Adelaide that prep before returning in 2024 to win Sydney’s Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m).
The 2025 Sapphire Stakes form stacked up nicely, with runner‑up Commemorative backing it up by finishing third in the Robert Sangster Stakes.
Sapphire Stakes 2026 – Quick Information
- Race Day: Saturday, April 11, 2026
- Track Location: Randwick Racecourse
- Track Surface: Turf
- Track Direction: Right-handed
- Race Distance: 1,200 metres
- Weight Conditions: Set Weights + Penalties
- Qualification: Fillies & Mares; 3YOs & Upwards
- Type: Thoroughbred
- Grade: Group 2
- Operator: Australian Turf Club
- Prize Purse: $300,000
- Inaugural Race: 1998
- 2026 Sapphire Stakes Winner: In Flight
Sapphire Stakes Betting 2026
There are many different ways to bet on the Sapphire Stakes, and we have included some of the most popular options below:
| Bet Type | How To Place This Type of Bet on This Year’s Sapphire Stakes |
|---|---|
| Win Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will take first place in this year’s Sapphire Stakes. |
| Place Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year’s Sapphire Stakes. Pays less than a win bet but offers safer odds. |
| Each-Way Bet | If your runner finishes 1st in the Sapphire Stakes, you will collect both the Win and the Place dividend. If your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd you will collect the Place dividend. |
| Quinella Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in any order, within the Sapphire Stakes, in order to win the Quinella. |
| Exacta Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order, within the Sapphire Stakes to win the Exacta. |
| Trifecta Bet | You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within the Sapphire Stakes to win the Trifecta. |
| First Four | You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd ,3rd and 4th in the correct order, within the Sapphire Stakes to win the First 4. |
| Quadrella Bet (Quaddie) | You must select the winners of four nominated races to win the Quaddie. This means you would have to select three other races apart from the Sapphire Stakes, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie. |
How To Bet on The Sapphire Stakes in 2026
- Login at neds.com.au
- Make a deposit, using your credit card, PayPal or other safe electronic method
- Make sure to check out form guide, once it’s released
- Decide what kind of bet you’re going to place (Win, Place, Each-Way, Trifecta + more betting options, please read our section on Sapphire Stakes Betting above).
- Select the horse(s) for the race.
Which Horse Will Win the Sapphire Stakes in 2026
The best way to pick which filly or mare will win the Sapphire Stakes in 2026 is to take into account their lead-up form from the autumn, assess the barriers and look for the proven Group performers in Sydney.
Additional factors to consider when picking the Sapphire Stakes winner include:
- Returning Runners: Looking for mares who have previously contested the race can be key with dual champion White Moss (2019-20) having previously run third in 2018, while Fasika ran second in 2020 before her 2021 success.
Sapphire Stakes Favourites 2026
Favourites in 2026 Sapphire Stakes include Team Hawkes’ recent Group 3 Wenona Girl Handicap winner Gangsta Granny, Speith four-year-old Flying For Fun coming off a Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes victory and last start Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes winner Catch The Glory.
Zapateo ($2.30 in 2023) was the last Sapphire Stakes favourite to win.
Sapphire Stakes 2026 Field
The official 2026 Sapphire Stakes field of final acceptances is announced on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in full below once announced.
The 2026 Sapphire Stakes final field features 14 classy fillies and mares led in betting by the widely drawn Team Hawkes trained Gangsta Granny out to return to winning form off her lead-up second in the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Splash Back
J: Jordan Childs
T: Grahame Begg |
25128x | M | 2 | 57kg | |
|
2. Infancy
J: Jason Collett
T: Kris Lees |
x868x0 | M | 12 | 57kg | |
|
3. Gangsta Granny
J: James McDonald
T: M, W & J Hawkes |
313x12 | M | 11 | 56.5kg | |
|
4. Catch The Glory
J: Adam Hyeronimus
T: Jason Coyle |
12x1x1 | M | 5 | 56.5kg | |
|
5. In Flight
J: Craig Williams
T: Joseph Pride |
164x78 | M | 1 | 56kg | |
|
6. Flying For Fun
J: Zac Lloyd
T: Bryce Heys |
3271x1 | M | 10 | 56kg | |
|
7. Coco Jamboo
J: Ben Thompson
T: Annabel & Rob Archibald |
5650x0 | M | 3 | 56kg | |
| 8. She's Got Pizzazz (11) Scratched: | |||||
| 9. Tiger Shark (12) Scratched: | |||||
|
10. Monte Supreme
J: Kerrin Mcevoy
T: Bjorn Baker |
120x67 | M | 9 | 55kg | |
|
11. More Territories
J: Dylan Gibbons
T: Tom Charlton |
306x50 | M | 6 | 55kg | |
|
12. Spring Lee
J: Rachel King
T: Bjorn Baker |
x8x803 | M | 7 | 55kg | |
|
13. Monte Kate
J: Jamie Melham
T: Robert & Luke Price |
x02112 | M | 8 | 55kg | |
|
14. Husk
J: Tyler Schiller
T: M, W & J Hawkes |
x3109x | M | 4 | 55kg | |
Sapphire Stakes Race Day 2026
The 2026 Sapphire Stakes takes place as part of Day 2 of ‘The Championships’ at Royal Randwick running on Saturday, April 11, 2026. The meeting is headlined by four Group 1 events with the running of the:
- Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m),
- Group 1 $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m),
- Group 1 $1 million Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m), and the
- Group 1 $1 million Australian Oaks (2400m).
Sapphire Stakes Barrier Draw 2026
The 2026 Sapphire Stakes barrier draw will be released to the public a few days before the race and will be published in our above Sapphire Stakes Field section.
Sapphire Stakes Nominations 2026
2026 Sapphire Stakes nominations close at 11:00am (AEDT) on the Monday of race week.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x420436x30 | ASGARDA | M | 6 | John Sargent | 86 |
| 2 | 3x695636x2 | BOSSY NIC | M | 5 | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | 93 |
| 3 | x82312x1x1 | CATCH THE GLORY | M | 4 | Jason Coyle | 102 |
| 4 | 609x5650x0 | COCO JAMBOO (IRE) | M | 6 | Annabel & Rob Archibald | 90 |
| 5 | 55706×4388 | DARK GLITTER | M | 5 | Mike Van Gestel | 90 |
| 6 | 52x83271x1 | FLYING FOR FUN | M | 4 | Bryce Heys | 104 |
| 7 | 13x2313x12 | GANGSTA GRANNY | M | 4 | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | 108 |
| 8 | 335x937x15 | GENEROSITY | M | 5 | Chris Waller | 113 |
| 9 | 4290x3109x | HUSK | M | 4 | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | 78 |
| 10 | 2211164×78 | IN FLIGHT | M | 5 | Joseph Pride | 107 |
| 11 | 1556x868x0 | INFANCY | M | 5 | Kris Lees | 98 |
| 12 | 9150×02112 | MONTE KATE | M | 5 | Robert & Luke Price | 86 |
| 13 | 0x11120x67 | MONTE SUPREME | M | 5 | Bjorn Baker | 95 |
| 14 | 62x8306x50 | MORE TERRITORIES | M | 4 | Tom Charlton | 90 |
| 15 | 42x111x16 | NESRINE | M | 4 | Jason Attard | 75 |
| 16 | 210x76Lx53 | SHE’S GOT PIZZAZZ | M | 4 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | 86 |
| 17 | 725x270x83 | SOFT LOVE | M | 4 | Matt Laurie | 84 |
| 18 | x11525128x | SPLASH BACK (FR) | M | 6 | Grahame Begg | 104 |
| 19 | 6145x8x803 | SPRING LEE | M | 5 | Bjorn Baker | 90 |
| 20 | 9x441777x7 | TIGER SHARK | M | 5 | Clayton Douglas | 98 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Sapphire Stakes Weights 2026
Set weights plus penalties conditions apply to this race. Final weights are announced at 4 PM on the Tuesday of race week with the official 2026 Sapphire Stakes weights on the final acceptors to be published in our above Sapphire Stakes Field section.
2026 Sapphire Stakes Topweights:
- No. 1 Splash Back (57kg)
- No. 2 Infancy (57kg)
Sapphire Stakes Acceptances 2026
2026 Sapphire Stakes final acceptances must be declared before 9 AM on the Wednesday of race week and will be published in our above Sapphire Stakes Field section.
Sapphire Stakes Jockeys 2026
The final riders’ announcement is at 12 PM on the Wednesday of race week with the official 2026 Sapphire Stakes jockeys to be published in our above Sapphire Stakes Field section.
Sapphire Stakes Scratchings 2026
2026 Sapphire Stakes scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
Sapphire Stakes Prize Money 2026
The 2026 Sapphire Stakes prize purse is worth $300,000 in total, distributed from places first through to tenth.
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $170,700 |
| 2nd | $56,400 |
| 3rd | $27,450 |
| 4th | $13,350 |
| 5th | $7,350 |
| 6th | $3,750 |
| 7th | $3,750 |
| 8th | $3,750 |
| 9th | $3,750 |
| 10th | $3,750 |
Sapphire Stakes Race Number 2026
The 2026 Sapphire Stakes race number is scheduled as Randwick Race 10 at 5:10pm (AEST) on Saturday, April 11, 2026. There are ten races in total that day at Randwick Racecourse.
Sapphire Stakes Form Guide 2026
The final form guide will be available the week of the race. You can check below for a link to our full 2026 Sapphire Stakes Form Guide following final acceptances.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL 2026 SAPPHIRE STAKES FORM GUIDE
Sapphire Stakes Live 2026
You can watch or listen to the 2026 Sapphire Stakes live, across the following mediums.
Pay television: Sky Racing 1 (channel 526 on Foxtel)
Radio: Radio Sport National
Free to air television: 7 Network
Streaming: Racing NSW
Sapphire Stakes Winners
Winners of the Sapphire Stakes going back to the year 2000 are displayed in the table below.
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Third | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | In Flight | Infancy | Gangsta Granny | 1:09.02 |
| 2025 | Infancy | Commemorative | Lady Laguna | 1:09.24 |
| 2024 | Wee Nessy | Ballroom Bella | Miss Hellfire | 1:09.04 |
| 2023 | Zapateo | Never Talk | Princess Grace | 1:11.2 |
| 2022 | Bella Nipotina | Tricky Gal | Belluci Babe | 1:14.5 |
| 2021 | Fasika | Entriviere | Wandabaa | 1:09.8 |
| 2020 | White Moss | Fasika | Bangkok | 1:11.8 |
| 2019 | White Moss | Irithea | Winter Bride | 1:09.0 |
| 2018 | Quilista | Ravi | White Moss | 1:09.3 |
| 2017 | Secret Agenda | Missrock | Artistry | 1:13.2 |
| 2016 | Two Blue | Secret Agenda | Brook Road | 1:10.8 |
| 2015 | Avoid Lightning | Griante | Fine Bubbles | 1:12.1 |
| 2014 | Cosmic Endeavour | Avoid Lightning | Belle De Coeur | 1:10.7 |
| 2013 | Arinosa | Miss Stellabelle | Forarainyday | 1:10.5 |
| 2012 | Atlantic Jewel | Mid Summer Music | Ladys Angel | 1:08.9 |
| 2011 | Hurtle Myrtle | Kimillsy | Marquardt | 1:10.6 |
| 2010 | Renaissance | Beaded | Jersey Lily | 1:10.5 |
| 2009 | Court | Belong To Many | Cajou | 1:10.8 |
| 2008 | Belong to Many | Tenant’s Tiara | Fritz’s Princess | 1:11.1 |
| 2007 | Fire Song | Whoever | Splashing Out | 1:12.9 |
| 2006 | Coolroom Candidate | Imana | Shalimar Sky | 1:10.6 |
| 2005 | Glamour Puss | With My | Wild Queen | 1:12.0 |
| 2004 | Recurring | Fair Embrace | Cataclysm | 1:10.4 |
| 2003 | Fatoon | Provokes | Miss Helterskelter | 1:11.4 |
| 2002 | Fair Embrace | Spinning Hill | Hot Riff | 1:09.2 |
| 2001 | Spinning Hill | Nanny Maroon | Marlina | 1:10.3 |
| 2000 | Spinning Hill | Snippets’ Lass | Heather | 1:09.7 |