Queen of the Turf Stakes Field Taking Shape

The 2025 Queen of the Turf Stakes is shaping into one of the most competitive contests of The Championships at Randwick, with several standout mares and fillies likely to make the final field for the Group 1 race held over 1600 metres.

This year’s nominations for the Queen of the Turf Stakes include a strong line-up, led by Fangirl, trained by Chris Waller. Her recent performances at Randwick Race course have been consistent, and she heads into the event with plenty of experience at the top level. Known for her late-closing efforts, Fangirl has been competing against some of the best and continues to hold her own in each outing.

Chris Waller is expected to have more than one runner in the Queen of the Turf Stakes field, with Atishu also a likely starter. She’s been working well and has a proven track record over the mile. Her recent runs at Randwick Race course have shown she’s in good shape, and she’s more than capable of producing a strong finish under the right conditions.

Lazurra, another likely contender, is among the younger mares attracting attention. With steady progress in her career, she’s handled each rise in competition with confidence. Her preparation suggests she’s ready for this next step, and her team is optimistic about her chances in the Queen of the Turf Stakes at Randwick Race course.

Meanwhile, there is still uncertainty around whether Pride of Jenni, last year’s winner, will take her place in the field. The Ciaron Maher-trained runner delivered a bold front-running effort to win the 2024 edition. However, her recent training schedule has been interrupted, and the stable has yet to confirm her participation. If she lines up, she’ll no doubt have supporters, especially given her past success in this race.

The inclusion of Amelia’s Jewel adds further quality to the list of nominations. Trained by Simon Miller, she continues to perform at a high level and will be partnered again by Josh Parr. She’s shown consistency across her campaigns and has already handled a variety of conditions. Parr has built a strong understanding with her, and their combination has delivered solid results.

Another name attracting early interest for the Queen of the Turf Stakes is Another Prophet, the Thousand Guineas winner. Trained by Mitchell Freedman, she steps up to compete against older mares, but her recent runs suggest she’s ready for the test. Ethan Brown takes the ride again, and the stable is hopeful she can carry her spring momentum through the autumn carnival at Randwick Race course.

The overall makeup of the field for the Queen of the Turf Stakes suggests a mix of proven performers and emerging talent. Depending on the final acceptances, the race could play out in different ways—whether it becomes a test of speed from the front or one for the closers will depend on the tempo set early in Sydney horse racing.

Randwick’s long straight typically gives every horse a fair chance. If there’s early pressure up front, runners who settle off the pace could benefit late in the race. Fangirl and Amelia’s Jewel have both shown they can produce strong runs from midfield or worse, while a front-runner like Lazurra might look to control the pace if Pride of Jenni doesn’t take part in the Queen of the Turf Stakes. The Sydney horse racing scene will be buzzing with anticipation for this exciting event.

After a few successive meetings, the track remains in good shape and was previously rated good, with no major weather warnings to date. Trainers will closely monitor the conditions as they finalise plans, especially for horses with preferred track ratings.

The Queen of the Turf Stakes is expected to draw a high level of interest from punters and race followers alike. With a strong field expected and several Group 1 performers in the mix, this year’s edition is on track to produce a closely contested race.

Final declarations will be made closer to the race day, with barrier draws and jockey confirmations providing more clarity. The 2025 Queen of the Turf Stakes is part of a stacked program at Randwick, and it’s likely to attract wide attention across the racing community.

Whether it’s a defending champion making a late push to compete or a rising name breaking through against older rivals, this year’s race has the makings of a closely fought event with no shortage of talking points.