Epsom Handicap

Epsom Handicap
Group 1 race
Amounis,1926 & 1928 winner
Location	Randwick Racecourse (2014)
Inaugurated	1865
Race type	Thoroughbred - flat
Sponsor	The Star (2014)
Race information
Distance	1,600 metres
Surface	Turf
Track	Right-handed
Qualification	three year olds and older
Weight	handicap
Purse	A$500,000 (2014)

The Epsom Handicap is an Australian Turf Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race from three year ols and older, under handicap conditions over a distance of 1,600 metres at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia in early October.^[1] Prize money is A$500,000.

Race History

In 1897 Jim McHugh weighing 4 stone 4 pounds (27 kg) and aged 11 years and 4 months was having his second race ride ever, on Robin Hood in the Epsom Handicap and won the race.^[2]

Jockey, Donald Nicolson won the race in succession five times from 1880 to 1884 and came fifth in 1885. He was killed a few weeks later when his mount fell in the 1885 Caulfield Cup.^[3]

It is one of the major races of the ATC Spring Carnival. Many great milers have won the race, including Chatham, Gunsynd, and Super Impose, who was also a dual winner of the autumn equivalent, the Doncaster Handicap.

Race name

The race was named after the famous Epsom Downs Racecourse in the South of England where the classic three-year-old Epsom Derby has been contested since 1780.^[1]

Race grade

1865–1978 - Principle Race
1979 onwards - Group 1

Race distance

1865–1878 - 1 mile (~1600 metres)
1879–1884 - 1¹⁄₈ miles (~1800 metres)
1885–1971 - 1 mile (~1600 metres)
1972–2000 - 1600 metres
2001 - 1400 metres (run at Randwick's inner course known as the Kensington)
2002 onwards - 1600 metres