Champions Stakes 2026 Betting Tips & Betting Advice
The headline event of the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the Champions Stakes is run over the 2000m at Flemington.
Worth $3 million, the Champions Stakes is a staying contest that is almost the consolation prize to the previous Tuesday's Melbourne Cup.
Bets.com.au provides punters with Champions Stakes betting tips and previews, along with a complete guide to the Group 1.
Champions Stakes Betting Odds
Check back here closer to the race start date for the latest 2026 Champions Stakes betting odds.
Champions Stakes Betting Tips
Our experts provide their free Champions Stakes tips and betting preview in the lead up to the Spring Carnival Group 1.
Our early preview and Champions Stakes best bets are available in advance of the race as our tipsters pick out the best value from the futures markets and the final field.
Champions Stakes Bookmaker Promotions
TAB Champions Stakes bookmaker offers come thick and fast given it is a key Flemington race during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The biggest and best Australian betting sites all have special offers for customers ahead of the race and you can grab boosted and enhanced odds specials in the build up.
If you are looking to sign up with a bookmaker ahead of the Champions Stakes, check out our top five below.
Champions Stakes Form Guide
Due to the prize pool you’ll always see quality runners take to this field which makes putting together a TAB Champions Stakes form guide somewhat tricky.
It’s not uncommon to see Melbourne Cup runners back up following the race that stops a nation to compete in this event, as well as horses that just missed out on taking their place in the staying feature.
Outside of the shock win to Trap For Fools in 2018, horses that have been in the Cox Plate frame have taken out this event, showcasing the connection between the two events.
Champions Stakes 2025 Betting Insights, Stats & Trends
- 2024 Winner: Via Sistina delivered a commanding 2¾-length victory, backing up from her Cox Plate win. Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald
- Strong Cox Plate form is a major predictor—more than half of the past 20 Champions Stakes winners ran in the Cox Plate beforehand
- Favourites have a moderate win rate—elite milers like Via Sistina, ZAAKI, and Arcadia Queen have prevailed, but longshots occasionally surprise
- Inside and mid-barriers (1–7) have produced the majority of winners, although Flemington’s long straight reduces the bias impact
- Mature horses aged 4–7 years dominate; Via Sistina (6YO), Zaaki (6YO), Arcadia Queen (5YO) are examples of consistent WFA performers
- Chris Waller holds multiple Champions Stakes wins, including victories with Atishu (2023) and Via Sistina (2024 and 2025)
Champions Stakes 2025 - Barriers & Final Field
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Kitten | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Ben Melham | 8 | 59kg |
| 2 | Light Infantry Man (FR) | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 3 | 59kg |
| 3 | Kovalica (NZ) | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 2 | 59kg |
| 4 | Attrition | Mitchell Freedman | Craig Williams | 5 | 59kg |
| 5 | Alenquer (FR) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Jamie Mott | 11 | 59kg |
| 6 | Pier (NZ) | Darryn & Briar Weatherley | Ethan Brown | 6 | 59kg |
| 7 | Golden Path (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Jordan Childs | 4 | 59kg |
| 8 | Point King (IRE) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Celine Gaudray | 1 | 59kg |
| 9 | Zambardo (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Jamie Melham | 9 | 58.5kg |
| 10 | Via Sistina (IRE) | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 10 | 57kg |
| 11 | Benagil | Glen Thompson | Michael Dee | 7 | 56.5kg |
TAB Champions Stakes Live Stream
Champions Stakes History
First run and won in 1869 Glencoe, the Champions Stakes is arguably the most popular race of the Melbourne Cup Carnival outside of the race that stops a nation.
Worth $3 million and run on the final day of the carnival, the race routinely attracts top quality runners to Flemington.
Named after former chairman of the Victoria Racing Club, Lauchlan Kenneth Scobie Mackinnon, the TAB Champions Stakes was previously held Derby Day but was shifted to the final day of the carnival in 2016.
Some absolute stars of the track have delivered wins in the TAB Champions Stakes including Let’s Elope, three-time winner Tranquil Star and the horse that did the TAB Champions Stakes/Melbourne Cup double in 1999 Rogan Josh.
Champions Stakes Past Winners
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Via Sistina |
| 2024 | Via Sistina |
| 2023 | Atishu |
| 2022 | Zaaki |
| 2021 | Zaaki |
| 2020 | |
| 2019 | Magic Wand |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2015 | Gailo Chop |
| 2014 | Happy Trials |
| 2013 | Side Glance |
| 2012 | Alcopop |
| 2011 | |
| 2010 | So You Think |
| 2009 | Scenic Shot |
| 2008 | Theseo |
| 2007 | Sirmione |
| 2006 | Desert War |
| 2005 | |
| 2004 | Grand Armee |
| 2003 | Casual Pass |
| 2002 | Lonhro |
| 2001 | |
| 2000 | Oliver Twist |
Champions Stakes News
To get all the TAB Champions Stakes social news you should visit the Flemington social media channels.
Flemington's Twitter account can be found at @FlemingtonVRC while their Facebook page is at FlemingtonVRC.
The official site can be found at Flemington.com.au.
Champions Stakes 2025 - Replay & Result
1st - Via Sistina.
2nd - Zambardo.
3rd - Tom Kitten.
TAB Champions Stakes FAQ
When is the TAB Champions Stakes?
The 2025 Champions Stakes runs on the final day of the Flemington Carnival on November 8.
How long is the Champions Stakes?
The staying contest is run over 2000m.
Where is the Champions Stakes held?
The TAB Champions Stakes is held at Flemington, which is located in Melbourne, Australia.
What’s the prize money for the Champions Stakes?
$3 million is the total prize pool for the TAB Champions Stakes.
