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Great races every year include the Doncaster Mile run at Randwick on Saturday.

Mr Brightside was a deserving dual winner. The 2024 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday is a race to enjoy.

2024 DONCASTER MILE - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Doncaster Mile is a Group 1 race for Open Class horses conducted by the Australian Turf Club at Randwick. It is always regarded the best mile race in the country from the best start.

The Doncaster Mile was first run in 1866 and was won by Dundee.

The Doncaster Mile is run over 1600m under handicap conditions.

The race is registered as the Doncaster Handicap and is one of the richest handicaps in the world not at a staying trip.

34 fillies and mares have had success in the Doncaster Mile. Most recent mare – Nettoyer (2020). Most recent filly – Sunline (1999).

There have been 32 x 3yo winners with Brutal the most recent in 2019. The three year olds ran the trifecta in 2013 (Sacred Falls/Pierro/Norzita). In the last 28 renewals, three year olds have won nine times.

Tommy Smith and Gai Waterhouse hold the Doncaster record with seven but Chris Waller is closing fast with 6 of the last 15.

Glen Boss has tasted success the most with seven victories starting with Sprint By in 1996 all the way through to Brutal in 2019.

The WFA George Ryder Stakes is the logical lead up with 14 of the last 28 however horses can come back in distance as Sacred Falls (2013 Rosehill Guineas) and Sacred Choice/Rangirangdoo/Nettoyer (Ranvet Stakes) have done.

Guy Walter trained the trifecta in 2005 (Patezza/Court's In Session/Danni Martine) and to better that Chris Waller trained the first four in 2014 (Sacred Falls/Royal Descent/Weary/Hawkspur).

Epsom-Doncaster double in the same season: Dundee (1865-66), Marvel (1891-92), Chatham (1933-34), Broker's Tip (1969-70), Gunsynd (1971-72), Authentic Heir (1975-76), Super Impose (1990-91), Winx (2015-16) and Happy Clapper (2017-18).

George Ryder-Doncaster double - Dame Acre (1918), Hem (1919), Dalrello (1975), Emancipation (1983), Racing To Win (2006), Haradasun (2007), Vision And Power (2009), Winx (2016).

Cox Plate-Doncaster double in same season: Tobin Bronze (1966-67), Winx (2015-16).

Weights to win: Highest - Chatham/Marvel (65.5kg). Within the last 50 years - Gunsynd (60.5kg), Tobin Bronze/Super Impose (59.5kg).

Weights to win (mares): Highest - Cuddle (59kg). Within the last 50 years - Sunline (58kg), More Joyous (57.5kg) Maybe Mahal (57kg).

Happy Clapper won his first Group 1 in the 2017 Epsom Handicap. He ran a time of 1:33.17 carrying 57kg. He'd win the Doncaster later that season in exactly the same time with exactly the same weight.

Jamie Kah equalled the Australian record for most G1 wins by a female jockey in winning on Cascadian in 2021.

After all the rain in Sydney, it was probably little surprise that horses coming from the dry in Melbourne dominated the 2022 running as the three placegetters all ran in the All-Star Mile. Would you believe it happened again in 2023.

The 2024 Doncaster Mile was worth $4 million.

Multiple winners of the Doncaster Mile are Mildura (1940, 1941), Blue Legend (1946, 1947), Slogan II (1956, 1957), Tudor Hill (1959, 1960), Fine And Dandy (1961, 1963), Super Impose (1990, 1991), Pharaoh (1994, 1995), Sunline (1999, 2002), Sacred Falls (2013, 2014) and Mr Brightside (2022, 2023).

Other Notable winners of the Doncaster Mile include Briseis (1876), Wakeful (1901), Chatham (1934), Hall Mark (1935), Tobin Bronze (1967), Gunsynd (1972), Maybe Mahal (1978), Emancipation (1983), Grand Armee (2003), Private Steer (2004), Racing To Win (2006), More Joyous (2012), Winx (2016) and Happy Clapper (2018).

The 2023 Doncaster Mile was won by Mr Brightside from My Oberon from Nugget.