Rosehill loses $10m Golden Eagle to Randwick after failed sale bid
The $10 million Golden Eagle was meant to be for Rosehill what The Everest was for Randwick in the spring – a huge money race to attract big crowds and erode the dominance of Victoria as the traditional heavyweight of spring racing.
But Racing NSW announced yesterday the feature – the only classic race in the nation aimed only at four-year-olds – would move from Rosehill to headquarters because of poor attendances.
Only 10,000 people attended the race last year despite enormous promotion of the event. It was also lacking sponsors.
The 1500m race has been held at Rosehill since its inception in 2019, and last year had a maximum field of 20 runners. At Randwick it will only be able to accommodate 18 runners when it goes head-to-head with Victoria's Derby Day meeting at Flemington on November 1.
The news comes 10 weeks after members voted against the Australian Turf Club's proposal to sell Rosehill to the NSW government for $5 billion.
Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly said the change of venue was made in the hope of increasing the raceday attendance. The crowd of 10,000 last year was half that of the inaugural edition in 2019.
It is hoped the change to Randwick could double or even triple that turnout, and significantly increase hospitality revenue and sponsorship opportunities for the ATC. More than 49,000 attended Everest day at the track last year.
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Sydney Morning Herald
13 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Rosehill loses $10m Golden Eagle to Randwick after failed sale bid
In the aftermath of the failed attempt to sell Rosehill Gardens, racing authorities have stripped the venue of its biggest spring carnival race and shifted it to Royal Randwick. The $10 million Golden Eagle was meant to be for Rosehill what The Everest was for Randwick in the spring – a huge money race to attract big crowds and erode the dominance of Victoria as the traditional heavyweight of spring racing. But Racing NSW announced yesterday the feature – the only classic race in the nation aimed only at four-year-olds – would move from Rosehill to headquarters because of poor attendances. Only 10,000 people attended the race last year despite enormous promotion of the event. It was also lacking sponsors. The 1500m race has been held at Rosehill since its inception in 2019, and last year had a maximum field of 20 runners. At Randwick it will only be able to accommodate 18 runners when it goes head-to-head with Victoria's Derby Day meeting at Flemington on November 1. The news comes 10 weeks after members voted against the Australian Turf Club's proposal to sell Rosehill to the NSW government for $5 billion. Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly said the change of venue was made in the hope of increasing the raceday attendance. The crowd of 10,000 last year was half that of the inaugural edition in 2019. It is hoped the change to Randwick could double or even triple that turnout, and significantly increase hospitality revenue and sponsorship opportunities for the ATC. More than 49,000 attended Everest day at the track last year.
The Age
13 hours ago
- The Age
Rosehill loses $10m Golden Eagle to Randwick after failed sale bid
In the aftermath of the failed attempt to sell Rosehill Gardens, racing authorities have stripped the venue of its biggest spring carnival race and shifted it to Royal Randwick. The $10 million Golden Eagle was meant to be for Rosehill what The Everest was for Randwick in the spring – a huge money race to attract big crowds and erode the dominance of Victoria as the traditional heavyweight of spring racing. But Racing NSW announced yesterday the feature – the only classic race in the nation aimed only at four-year-olds – would move from Rosehill to headquarters because of poor attendances. Only 10,000 people attended the race last year despite enormous promotion of the event. It was also lacking sponsors. The 1500m race has been held at Rosehill since its inception in 2019, and last year had a maximum field of 20 runners. At Randwick it will only be able to accommodate 18 runners when it goes head-to-head with Victoria's Derby Day meeting at Flemington on November 1. The news comes 10 weeks after members voted against the Australian Turf Club's proposal to sell Rosehill to the NSW government for $5 billion. Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly said the change of venue was made in the hope of increasing the raceday attendance. The crowd of 10,000 last year was half that of the inaugural edition in 2019. It is hoped the change to Randwick could double or even triple that turnout, and significantly increase hospitality revenue and sponsorship opportunities for the ATC. More than 49,000 attended Everest day at the track last year.
News.com.au
16 hours ago
- News.com.au
The $10 million Golden Eagle to be moved from Rosehill to Randwick from 2025
In a shock announcement, Racing NSW (RNSW) has announced that the $10m Golden Eagle will move from Rosehill Gardens to Royal Randwick from 2025 onwards. Sydney's second richest race behind The TAB Everest, the Golden Eagle has called Rosehill Gardens home since the inception of the heavyweight four-year-old contest in 2019. 'Racing NSW is excited to announce a spectacular new chapter for one of Australia's new age horse races,' the statement read. 'Beginning in 2025, The Golden Eagle — already a $10 million juggernaut on the world stage — will soar into its new home at Royal Randwick. 'Since its inception, the Golden Eagle has captivated racing fans and punters alike. Its meteoric rise in prestige is underscored by a stunning statistic: eight of the top 12 finishers from the 2024 edition have gone on to conquer Group 1 races globally. 'From Australia to Asia and Europe — the Golden Eagle is making a global mark. 'As NSW's second most-wagered race — behind only The Everest — the move to Royal Randwick ensures the Golden Eagle will shine even brighter within Australia's Spring racing spectacle.' The move will see Royal Randwick host four consecutive major meetings during the heights of the spring carnival. That begins with TAB Everest Day on October 18, followed by Spring Champion Stakes Day on October 25 before Golden Eagle Day on November 1. Rounding out the quartet of flagship meetings is the Big Dance meeting on Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday ,November 4. The move will see the Golden Eagle's charity component continue while the race conditions, including the 1500m distance for four-year-olds remains unchanged. 'Sydney's Everest Carnival continues to grow every year, with the highlight being a sold-out Royal Randwick for Everest Day last year,' said Racing NSW Chairman Saranne Cooke. 'The Golden Eagle race, especially with the $1 million charity component, forms a prominent position at the new Randwick Carnival. 'It will, like The Everest, become the young generation's must-go event. 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.'
