29 2024 VRC CHAMPIONS SPRINT WINNER SUNSHINE IN PARIS HISTORY OF THE SPRINT VRC CHAMPIONS SPRINT Scott Barbour/Racing Photos For sprinters, the Champions Sprint, run over 1200 metres along the iconic Straight Six at Flemington, serves as the ultimate test of speed and agility. The inaugural winner of the race was Kiwi mare Karina, conquering a field of 27 runners down the grandstand rail. This prestigious race has undergone several name changes throughout its history, previously known as the Craven ‘A’ Stakes, Gadsden Stakes, Salinger Stakes, Patinack Farm Classic, Darley Sprint Classic, and the VRC Sprint Classic, among others. The race was granted Group 1 status in the inaugural Group Race Classifications for the 1979-1980 season. Throughout its history, many sprinting stars of the turf have etched their names into the Champions Sprint annals, including dual winners, River Rough and Planet Ruler, and more recently, the unbeatable Black Caviar and sprint king Nature Strip. Bart Cummings leads the way with six wins in the race from 1973 to 2008 while modern-day star jockey James McDonald has three wins in the race, sharing the honours with Robert Heffernan, who claimed a hat-trick of wins from 1979 to 1981. Annabel and Rob Archibald celebrated another Melbourne Cup Carnival Group 1 triumph as their stellar sprint mare, Sunshine in Paris, stormed to victory in the 2024 VRC Champions Sprint, capping a brilliant week for jockey James McDonald.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODA1NTI=