23 One of the Melbourne Cup Carnival’s most iconic races takes on a new name in 2022 as the contest initiated in 1869 as the Melbourne Stakes and then renamed in 1937 as the LKS Mackinnon Stakes becomes the TAB Champions Stakes. Originally held on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and serving not just as a premier weight-for-age event but also an important lead-up to the Lexus Melbourne Cup, the 2000m feature was switched to the final day in 2016. The list of winners serves as a who’s who of Australian racing, including 15 winners of the Melbourne Cup in the same year – led by horses like Carbine, Phar Lap, Peter Pan, Rising Fast, Rain Lover and Let’s Elope – as well as champions of the ilk of Wakeful, Eurythmic, Gloaming, Tranquil Star, Sailor’s Guide, Tulloch, Tobin Bronze, Dulcify, Better Loosen Up, Lonhro and So You Think. Recent years have also seen international victories for England with Side Glance, France with Gailo Chop and Ireland with Magic Wand. Zaaki went back-to-back success for trainer Annabel Neasham in 2022, leading all a star-studded field all the way. Chris Waller also trained consecutive winners of the race when his star imported mare, Via Sistina, followed on from Atishu’s win in 2023, with a dominant display on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. 2024 TAB CHAMPIONS STAKES WINNER VIA SISTINA (IRE) TAB CHAMPIONS STAKES HISTORY OF THE STAKES Dave Geraghty/Racing Photos
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