3 minute read
Statistics, history and facts on the $1 million George Ryder Stakes to be run on Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill.
GEORGE RYDER STAKES
1500m, $1 million, Group One standard weight-for-age for three-year-olds and up at Rosehill
HISTORY
* First run in 1903. Changed from a quality handicap after 1973 and renamed in honour of the long-time racing administrator whose legacy is the Golden Slipper
* Group One since 1980
* Champion mare Winx will be looking to win a record fourth George Ryder Stakes after victories in 2016, 2017 and 2018
* Other multiple winners are Lonhro (2003/04); Campaign King (1987/88); Emancipation (1983/84); Manikato (1979/80); Foresight (1968/69); Time And Tide (1964/67); Prince Regoli (1962/63)
* Chris Waller has the most wins as a trainer with six
* He trained the trifecta in 2016- Winx , Kermadec , Press Statement
* Hugh Bowman is the leading jockey with five wins
* Three of those wins were on Winx - in 2016, 2017 and 2018
TALKING POINTS
* Winx is the odds-on favourite
* The race will be the champion mare's second last before retirement and her final at her home track, Rosehill
* Winx will be aiming for her 32nd successive victory and her 24th at Group One level before her planned farewell in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on April 13
* If she is successful she will become the first horse to win three different Group One races on four occasions - The Cox Plate, The Chipping Norton and the George Ryder
WHAT THE KEY PLAYERS ARE SAYING
* "We'll get sentimental after the race, no doubt, but at this stage it's full steam ahead for Rosehill on Saturday which looks to be a great day" - Winx's trainer Chris Waller
"She feels as good as she looks. I think one of her best performances was in this race two years ago when it was a very heavy track, and with an expected wet track on Saturday that just gives us more confidence than we already have" - Winx's jockey Hugh Bowman
