King Charles III Stakes
The King Charles III Stakes is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for open class horses at Randwick conducted by the Australian Turf Club.
The King Charles III Stakes is run over 1600m. It was first run in 1945 and was won by Modulation.
In 2023, the race was renamed as the King Charles III Stakes from being the George Main Stakes and moved back a month to be run on Everest day with increased prizemoney.
Most runnings of the George Main Stakes were over 1600m.
The George Main Stakes/King Charles III Stakes has always been a Group 1.
The race was originally named after George Main who was Chairman of the AJC but as mentioned it is now the King Charles III Stakes.
TJ Smith won the race an amazing 12 times.
Before Winx second win, the previous three George Main Stakes winners also won the Doncaster Mile in the previous Autumn.
Horses often used the race as the lead up to the Epsom Handicap. It used to be the week before but is now run a fortnight later.
16 of the previous 17 winners of the George Main Stakes were Group 1 winners prior to winning this.
The Tramway/King Charles III Stakes double (6 times) – Sincero most recent in 2011.
The Warwick (Winx) Stakes/King Charles III Stakes (15 times) – Fangirl most recent in 2023.
Cox Plate winners to contest the King Charles III Stakes in recent years are Might And Power, Sunline, Winx and Anamoe.
Besides Winx and Anamoe, the last horse to do the King Charles III Stakes/Cox Plate double was Kingston Town.
Chris Waller had four runners in the 2020 edition and they filled the first four placings.
There have been only two double figure odds winners in 20 years – Road To Rock and Adam.
Verry Elleegant's win in 2021 was her ninth G1 success to that time and amazingly they were nine different G1 races.
The 2007 race was not held due to the Equine Influenza break out.
The King Charles III Stakes was worth $5,000,000 in 2023.
Notable winners of the George Main Stakes/King Charles III Stakes include Fangirl (2023), Anamoe (2022), Verry Elleegant (2021), Kolding (2020), Avilius (2019), Winx (2016/2017/2018), Kermadec (2015), Sacred Falls (2014), Streama (2013), Shoot Out (2012), Sincero (2011), More Joyous (2010), Mentality (2008), Racing To Win (2006), Grand Armee (2004), Lonhro (2003), Defier (2002), Viscount (2001), Shogun Lodge (1999), Encounter (1997), Juggler (1996), Durbridge (1994), Coronation Day (1992), Shaftesbury Avenue (1990), Vo Rogue (1989), Campaign King (1987), Inspired (1984),
Emancipation (1983), Kingston Town (1981/1982), Hartshill (1975), Baguette (1971), Wenona Girl (1963), Martello Towers (1961), San Domenico (1950) and Shannon (1946/1947).
The 2023 King Charles III Stakes was won by Fangirl from Mr Brightside and My Oberon.