Turnbull Stakes 2026 Betting Odds - Sir Delius Holds the Early Edge
The 2026 Turnbull Stakes, one of the pivotal races of Melbourne's spring season, returns to Flemington on October 3. Sir Delius, last year’s winner and current domestic star, leads early betting at $3, followed by in-form mare Aeliana and Group 1 champion Birdman. The event's prestigious honour roll includes legends like Winx and Rising Fast, and serves as a key indicator for upcoming major cups. The recommendation: Sir Delius stands out as the main contender but watch for Aeliana and Birdman as serious threats.
- Sir Delius tops 2026 Turnbull Stakes betting at $3, aiming to defend his title
- Aeliana ($4.40) and Birdman ($8) are major threats after strong Group 1 wins
- Turnbull Stakes is a key spring form race with a prestigious history since 1865
Sir Delius winning the 2025 Turnbull Stakes. (Getty)
One of the key form races of the Melbourne spring takes centre stage at Flemington on Saturday, October 3, when the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes is run over 2000m under set weights and penalties.
Sir Delius heads early betting at $3 with BetRight as he prepares to defend the race he won in 2025.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained entire established himself as one of Australia’s leading weight-for-age gallopers last season, winning the Underwood Stakes and Turnbull Stakes during the spring before adding the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick in April.
That Queen Elizabeth victory came over 2000m and confirmed Sir Delius as the highest-rated domestic horse in the country heading into the new season, making the Turnbull an obvious major target again.
Aeliana is the $4.40 second favourite following an outstanding autumn campaign highlighted by back-to-back Group 1 victories in the Ranvet Stakes and Tancred Stakes.
The Chris Waller-trained mare also finished runner-up in last year’s Makybe Diva Stakes and remains prominent in several of the major spring markets, including the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup.
Birdman is next at $8 after breaking through at Group 1 level in the Doomben Cup on May 23.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding defeated Pride Of Jenni by 2¾ lengths in that 2000m feature, bringing up Waller’s 200th Group 1 victory and confirming Birdman as a genuine weight-for-age contender heading towards the spring.
Turnbull Stakes 2026 Betting Odds
| Runner | Win Odds |
|---|---|
| Sir Delius | $3.00 |
| Aeliana | $4.40 |
| Birdman | $8.00 |
| Cosmic Crusader | $11.00 |
| Treasurethe Moment | $11.00 |
| Pride Of Jenni | $11.00 |
| Lindermann | $11.00 |
| Half Yours | $15.00 |
| Yellow Jersey | $15.00 |
| Well Written | $15.00 |
| Tom Kitten | $15.00 |
| Autumn Boy | $15.00 |
| Others | $26.00+ |
Odds provided by BetRight & correct on 17/08/2026.
Turnbull Stakes Winners
First run in 1865, the Turnbull Stakes is one of Australia’s oldest and most important 2000m races.
Named in honour of former Victoria Racing Club chairman Richard Turnbull, the race has undergone several name changes over the years before the Turnbull Stakes title was restored in 1948.
Some of Australia’s finest middle-distance and staying gallopers feature on its honour roll, including Ajax, Rising Fast, Sunline and Winx.
Run over 2000m under set weights and penalties, the Group 1 is a major spring prize in its own right and has long been regarded as one of the strongest form references leading into the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.
The most recent winners are Gold Trip in 2023, Via Sistina in 2024 and Sir Delius, who claimed the 2025 edition at Flemington.
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