Golden Eagle in shock move from Rosehill Gardens to Royal Randwick
Racing NSW made the shock announcement on Friday while confirming a new-look Sydney spring carnival that includes four successive feature race days at Randwick starting with the $20m The Everest on October 18.
The decision to move the Golden Eagle to Royal Randwick comes just weeks after the Sydney racing industry was divided about the proposal to sell Rosehill Gardens.
Australian Turf Club members eventually voted against the sale.
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During the sale debate, it was revealed attendances at Rosehill Gardens have been in decline with the 2024 Golden Eagle won by English raider Lake Forest attracting just over 10,500 fans.
By comparison, the $20m The Everest at Royal Randwick has boasted record attendances in recent years with 49,117 on track for the world's richest turf race last October.
Randwick also boasts superior hospitality facilities including the new marquee precinct, 'Base Camp', which makes the venue potentially more attractive to sponsors.
But Sydney's premier trainer Chris Waller, who has his stables at Rosehill and has won a Golden Eagle previously with Kolding (2019), is disappointed the big race will no longer be run on his home track.
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'I understand these hard decisions need to be made,'' Waller said.
'Let's hope Racing NSW and ATC continue to promote racing in the west.''
Another trainer, who requested anonymity, felt the shift of venue for the Golden Eagle may not necessarily be the last big race moved from Rosehill.
'Randwick is the only track in Sydney that can attract a crowd,'' the trainer said.
'I still think they should have sold Rosehill.''
There was inevitable speculation about the world famous $5m Golden Slipper for two-year-olds but News Corp has been told the race will remain at its traditional Rosehill home where it has been run every year since its inception in 1957.
The Golden Eagle's shift to Randwick coincides with the concerted push to have the race allocated deserved Group 1 status by the time it is run on November 1.
Lake Forest winning last year's Golden Eagle. Picture: Getty Images
Last year's Golden Eagle has been an outstanding form race with eight of the 12 finishers training on to win Group 1 races.
With the Golden Eagle moving from Rosehill, it sets up an unprecedented four-week racing carnival at Royal Randwick:
• Saturday 18 October – TAB Everest Day
• Saturday 25 October – Spring Champion Stakes Day
• Saturday 1 November – Golden Eagle Day
• Tuesday 4 November – Big Dance Day
Racing NSW chairman Saranne Cooke said the Golden Eagle, like The Everest, will 'become the young generation's must-go event'.
'Sydney's Everest Carnival continues to grow every year, with the highlight being a sold-out Royal Randwick for Everest Day last year,' Racing NSW chairman Saranne Cooke said
'The Golden Eagle race, especially with the $1m charity component, forms a prominent position at the new Randwick carnival.
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'Once again in 2025, the Golden Eagle is also again attracting world-class contenders, with a growing number of international stars — many of whom have already triumphed in prestigious Group races across Europe and Asia— now targeting the Randwick feature.'
The Golden Eagle's signature 1500m distance remains unchanged and the race's charity component continues as each runner partners with a worthy cause and $1m is donated to charities.
ATC chairman Tim Hale said the club is excited to have Golden Eagle at Royal Randwick this spring carnival.
'The move to Royal Randwick will further increase the event's appeal to audiences and punters on and off track following the running of the TAB Everest,'' Hale said.
'The addition of a new modern trackside spectator precinct this Spring will be a pivotal view point for Australia's two richest races.''
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