The Stradbroke Handicap is the premier event of the winter season and features some of the best racing talent from Australia and beyond. With $1.5 million in the purse, it’s also Queensland’s richest race outside of the Magic Millions events held in January.

Following a brief spell at Doomben between 2015 and 2018, the Stradbroke Handicap returned to Brisbane’s Eagle Farm Racecourse in 2019, where it has been held since the inaugural event in 1890. A history that spans three centuries makes this one of Queensland’s oldest races.

Held over a distance of 1400m at open handicap conditions, the Stradbroke Handicap sees some of the world’s best sprinters aged three years and above take to the turf. Talented gallopers tend to come out on top.

The pantheon of Stradbroke Handicap winners includes Daybreak Lover (1984, 1986), Rough Habit (1991, 1992) and Black Piranha (2009,2010), with all three horses striding to victory on two occasions. In recent history, the race has proved challenging for favourites, with only a handful going on to win.

Taking place in early to mid-June, the Stradbroke Handicap effectively draws the curtain on the premier events for the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival. Check out our form guide for the best odds on the Stradbroke Handicap here.

Held in mid to late May, the Doomben Cup is one of the highlights of the winter season and the premier staying event of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival. The star-studded race takes place at Doomben Racecourse, which has played host since the event’s inauguration in 1933.

The Doomben Cup sees some of the world’s best talent aged three years and over test their staying power over 2,000m. Held at weight-for-age conditions, the Doomben Cup has historically favoured middle-distance gallopers.

A mouthwatering total prize pool of $1 million makes this one of the richest races in the Sunshine State, with runners also competing for the prestige that comes with winning a Group 1 event.

There have been several notable winners over the years, but none more so than Kiwi thoroughbred Rough Habit, who etched his name in Doomben Cup history with an unprecedented three wins in a row between 1991 and 1993.

As the second Group 1 race of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, the Doomben Cup is always met with excitement and sets the stage for key events in the weeks ahead such as the Stradbroke Handicap.

The Doomben 10,000 rings in the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival in style as the first Group One race of the winter season. Held on a Saturday in mid-May, the atmosphere at the iconic Doomben Racecourse hits fever pitch as Queensland finally gets its day in the sun.

The last event of the day, the Doomben 10,000 sees some of the best sprinters from Australia and beyond compete over 1,200m at weight-for-age conditions. An eye-watering purse of $1 million makes this one of the richest races in the Sunshine State.

The Doomben 10,000 has witnessed many legendary sprinters since its inauguration in 1933. Past winners include the double champions of Black Onyx, Falvelon and Apache Cat, as well as the revered Manikato who strode to victory in 1979.

Doomben 10,000 Day is highly anticipated by Queensland racing fans and serves as a thrilling curtain-raiser for the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival. Many other feature races follow, such as the Doomben Cup, the Kingsford Smith Cup and the Stradbroke Handicap.