The weight-for-age Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, run over 1600m at Randwick, has captured an integral place in the Spring Racing Carnival landscape since it was renamed from the George Main Stakes and moved from earlier in the carnival to The Everest Day. This places the race in the perfect position as a lead-up to the Cox Plate (2040m), run a week later at Moonee Valley, or the Champions races at Flemington at the end of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Chris Waller’s Fangirl won the King Charles Stakes in 202,3, and last year it was won by Ceolwulf, trained by Joe Pride. Interestingly, neither horse backed up in the Cox Plate.
This year’s King Charles Stakes has attracted a crackingly good field which includes not only the past two winners, but also international runner, Lake Forest, from England, the amazing front-runner Pride Of Jenni, and 10-time Group 1 winner Mr Brightside.
King Charles Stakes 2025 Preview and Details
Track: Randwick.
Distance/type: 1600m. Weight-For-Age.
Date: Saturday, 18 October.
Total prizemoney: $5,000,000
First prize: $2,950,000
King Charles Stakes – Race and Time: Race 9 (5.35 pm)
Weather and Track
The Randwick track was rated a Good 4 on Wednesday. The weather promises to provide a good surface.
The rail is out 3m. With the prospect of a firm track, expect the bias towards fast horses on the inside to have an advantage. Monitor the racing patterns earlier in the day.
The Trainers
Chris Waller has dominated the King Charles Stakes in the past 13 years, winning nine times, including three with the great Winx when the race was run in mid-September. Waller’s most recent win was with Fangirl in 2023, and he’s banking on that mare to win it again. A 10th win will put him within cooee of Tommy Smith's record 12 wins.
Joe Pride won it last year with Ceolwulf, after that horse had won the Epsom Handicap over the same course and distance. Ceolwulf returns to be the sixth horse to win multiple editions of this famous race, although he’s not in the same sparkling form of last year.
Gai Waterhouse, now trained in partnership with Adrian Bott, has four King Charles Stakes to her name, but not since More Joyous in 2010. Waterhouse and Bott will saddle outsider Royal Patronage.
Englishman William Haggas won the Golden Eagle last year with Lake Forest. He will be the first northern hemisphere trainer to win the race named after his resident King with Lake Forest this year.
The Jockeys
Leading jockey James McDonald rides the 2023 King Charles Stakes winner, Fangirl. McDonald rode her to win then to complete a treble of wins in the race after having won on Anamoe (2022) and Verry Elleegant (2021).
Chad Schofield retains the ride on Ceolwulf, who he steered to win last year. Schofield’s father Glyn also won two King Charles – Kermadec (2015) and Road To Rock (2009).
Zac Purton, who is in town from Hong Kong to ride champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising in The Everest, has been snapped up to ride English visitor Lake Forest. Purton won the King Charles Stakes on Sacred Falls in 2014.
The Speed Map
Tempo prediction: fast
Any race over 1600m or further will be run at a hectic tempo if Pride Of Jenni is in the field. She led last year, but was run down by Ceolwulf. She will lead again, and it will be interesting to see which rider in this field will be willing to virtually sacrifice their own horse’s chances by keeping the "peloton" of the field in touch with the breakaway. That horse could be the tough Royal Patronage, who goes best when he’s near the pace.
Ceolwulf (wearing blinkers) has drawn a gate (barrier 4) to settle closer. Mr Brightside (barrier 12) is likely to press forward rather than go back.
International visitor Lake Forest won the Golden Eagle last spring with a roaring finishing spring. Barrier 2 should mean jockey Zac Purton will look for cover midfield.
Point of Interest
Significant gear change: Joe Pride has added “blinkers first time” to Ceolwolf, who has raced like he has needed a spark.
Creating history: Within The Law, trained by Bjorn Baker, is aiming for a bit of history. No three-year-old filly has won a King Charles Stakes since it was first run in 1945. Lake Forest, trained by William Haggas, will be the first northern hemisphere-trained horse to win the King Charles Stakes.
King Charles Stakes 2025 Racing Tips
King Charles Stakes Top Tip
Lake Forest
King Charles Stakes Dangers
Ceolwulf
He won this race last year in style, but he hasn’t raced as well since. Trainer Joe Pride has him set for this and he’s added blinkers for the first time. Expect him to be in the finish.
Fangirl
Right back to her best when she won the 7 Stakes over this course and trip – five wins at the Randwick mile. Wonderful mare with a big finish. She will set back and let fly late.
Pride Of Jenni
Second behind Ceowulf in this race last year when she led in fast time. She’s probably not as good as she was, but she will lead these at a solid tempo, and it will take a good one to beat her.
King Charles Stakes Roughies
Pier
Untapped talent from New Zealand. No luck when fifth behind Autumn Glow in the Epsom. Fitter and barrier 1 means he will get nice cover. He could surprise.
Within The Law
No 3YO filly has won this race in its rich history going back to 1945. This is a severe test but she’s tough as old boots and she will relish a likely not tempo with only 48kg on her back.
King Charles Stakes Same Race Multi (pick a combination)
Lake Forest & Fangirl – top three
Ceolwulf – top four
Pride Of Jenni – top five
Pier – top six
Within The Law – top seven