When nominations closed on Monday for the inaugural The Championships in Sydney in April, 112 horses had been entered for the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m). The $3 million Doncaster Mile received 127 entries, and 203 two-year-olds were entered for the $1 million Inglis Sires Produce, which is more than double the past two years.
The 10 key races of The Championships attracted an amazing 1207 horses from all over Australia, as well as New Zealand, Japan and Ireland, impresing The Championships CEO, Ian Mackay.
“We are over the moon with the response to The Championships,” Mackay said.
“We were hoping for strong nominations and are thrilled to see the total number edge past the 1200 mark.
"Owners and trainers have embraced The Championships and it’s now full steam ahead for what will be two days of superb racing in April,” he added.
ATC Executive General Manager of Racing, Matt Rudolph, said the quality of the entries placed the BMW Sydney Carnival among the best racing events in the world.
“Horses who traditionally might have targeted international races such as Zoustar or Fiorente, are instead staying for the BMW Sydney Carnival as their grand finals,” he said.
“From one of the best crops of two-year-olds in many years, through to a three-year-old ATC Triple Crown winner in It’s A Dundeel and winners of all the major Group One races in Australia, there is outstanding quality across all ages and distances,” Rudolph said.