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The Championships continues to reach new heights with a massive 1371 nominations received following today’s closing deadline for the fourth running of The Championships.

Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club received 81 (up 6%) more nominations than last year for the 10 races to be staged during The Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday 1 April and Saturday 8 April.

“After just three years The Championships has developed a prestigious brand as the grand finals of Australian racing and the growing interest supports that,” said Mr Peter V’landys AM, Racing NSW’s Chief Executive. “The Championships has not only captured the imagination and attention of the participants, but also the public.”

The $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) has attracted 99 entries, the largest number of nominations in the four years of the Group 1 event being held during The Championships.

It is a similar story with the $1m Coolmore Legacy Stakes, 1600m (116 entries), $1m Inglis Sires’, 1400m (285), $600,000 Arrowfield 3yo Sprint, 1200m (120); $600,000 IG Markets Percy Sykes Stakes, 1200m (169) all attracting record nominations. The feature race, the $4m Group 1 Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m on Day 2 attracted 100 nominations (up from 96).

The Australian Turf Club’s CEO, Mr Darren Pearce, said The Championships continued to grow as a destination event for Sydney and thoroughbred racing: “We are thrilled the overall number of nominations is up so strongly, and that so many races have increased entries from last year.

“The ATC is particularly pleased with the increased interest from international stables in Japan, the UK and Hong Kong, with some very well-performed horses nominated for several races.

“We will now continue to work hard to ensure as many of these overseas nominations as possible make the trip and compete against Australia’s very best. This increase in international nominations demonstrates a growing awareness of The Championships across the racing world.”

For all ticketing and hospitality options go to australianturfclub.com.au or for further information on The Championships click on thechampionships.com.au