CF Orr Stakes 2026 - Barrier Draw & Final Field

Alex Marsh

Editor

Last updated: Wed. 11 Nov. 2026 00:40

Alex Marsh 2 hours ago

Share this article

The 2026 C.F. Orr Stakes barrier draw is complete, with eight runners confirmed for Saturday's $1 million Group 1 at Sandown
Defending champion Jimmysstar has drawn barrier one, while Pericles faces the widest gate in barrier eight
Chris Waller has two runners in Angel Capital and Beiwacht, with all jockeys and starting gates confirmed for the 1400m feature

Jimmysstar has drawn barrier one in the 2026 CF Orr Stakes. (Getty)

The barrier draw is complete for the 2026 C.F. Orr Stakes, with eight runners confirmed for the $1 million Group 1 over 1400m at Sandown on Saturday, November 14.

CF Orr Stakes 2026 - Barriers & Final Field
CF Orr Stakes History

Defending champion Jimmysstar has secured the inside draw in barrier one for Ciaron Maher and Ethan Brown, with the seven-year-old attempting to become just the fifth horse to win the C.F. Orr Stakes more than once.

The four-time Group 1 winner claimed last year's November edition after winning the Russell Balding Stakes at Randwick and has added the Group 1 Manikato Stakes to his record this spring, although he finished seventh behind Pericles in his latest appearance at Randwick.

Pericles faces the widest draw in barrier eight for Bjorn Baker and Craig Williams, arriving off a victory in the Group 2 Russell Balding Stakes over 1300m at Randwick on October 31, where he defeated Skyhook and Jimmysstar.

The seven-year-old also claimed the Group 1 Futurity Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield earlier this year, giving him proven weight-for-age form at Saturday's distance.

Chris Waller has two strong chances, with Angel Capital drawing barrier six for Ben Melham after winning the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield in September, defeating Sepals before finishing eighth in The Everest at Randwick.

Waller's other runner Beiwacht has secured barrier three, with James McDonald booked for his first race ride aboard the four-year-old, who finished third behind Skyhook and Decorum in the $10 million Golden Eagle at Randwick.

The dual Group 1 winner previously claimed the Memsie Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield in August, defeating Mr Brightside and Cosmic Crusader, and will be looking to add another major weight-for-age victory to his record.

War Machine has drawn barrier five for Ben, Will and JD Hayes, with Mark Zahra taking the ride on the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap winner, who returned to winning form at his latest appearance.

Tom Dabernig's Shadhavar has landed barrier two for Kerrin McEvoy after completing successive victories in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes at Caulfield and Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes at Flemington, winning the latter by 4.3 lengths on Melbourne Cup Day.

The in-form mare will be chasing her first Group 1 victory against established weight-for-age opposition, having won four of her past five starts.

Grahame Begg's Splash Back has drawn barrier four for Jordan Childs, with the Group 1 Tattersall's Tiara winner returning to 1400m after finishing fifth at her latest appearance.

Desert Lightning completes the field from barrier seven for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, with Luke Nolen booked to ride the New Zealand-bred gelding.

With Jimmysstar chasing consecutive victories, Pericles arriving in winning form and Chris Waller represented by two Group 1 performers, the completed barrier draw sets the stage for a competitive final Group 1 of the Melbourne spring carnival.

CF Orr Stakes 2026 - Barriers & Final Field

No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight
1	Jimmysstar (NZ)	Ciaron Maher	Ethan Brown	1	59kg
2	Pericles	Bjorn Baker	Craig Williams	8	59kg
3	Angel Capital	Chris Waller	Ben Melham	6	59kg
4	War Machine (NZ)	Ben, Will & JD Hayes	Mark Zahra	5	59kg
5	Beiwacht	Chris Waller	James McDonald	3	59kg
6	Desert Lightning (NZ)	Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman	Luke Nolen	7	59kg
7	Splash Back (FR)	Grahame Begg	Jordan Childs	4	57kg
8	Shadhavar	Tom Dabernig	Kerrin McEvoy	2	57kg

CF Orr Stakes History

The C.F. Orr Stakes was long recognised as the opening Group 1 of the Australian racing season, traditionally contested over 1400m under weight-for-age conditions at Caulfield. That changed in November 2025 when the race was shifted to the closing stages of the Melbourne spring carnival, one week after Champions Stakes Day at Flemington.

The race dates back to 1925, with The Night Patrol winning the inaugural running at Williamstown. Named after former Williamstown Racing Club chairman Charles F. Orr, the event has moved between several Victorian venues throughout its history, including Flemington, Moonee Valley, Sandown and Caulfield.

For much of its history, the Orr Stakes served as an important autumn starting point for elite stayers, with Melbourne Cup champions At Talaq, Let's Elope, Jeune and Saintly all featuring on the winners' list. Over time, its profile evolved into a major weight-for-age contest for Australia's best sprinter-milers.

Elevated to Group 1 level in 1993, the race had already attracted some of the sport's greatest performers, including Flight, Tobin Bronze, Manikato and Vo Rogue. Manikato completed a remarkable hat-trick between 1979 and 1981, before Vo Rogue matched that achievement with three straight victories from 1988 to 1990.

The honour roll also features Redoute's Choice, Lonhro, Black Caviar, All Too Hard and Typhoon Tracy, who secured successive wins in 2010 and 2011.

Jacquinot (2023), Mr Brightside (2024) and Another Wil (February 2025) were among the last winners during the race's traditional autumn placement, before Jimmysstar captured the November 2025 edition to become the first winner under the new spring schedule.