Race type Thoroughbred Surface Turf | Distance 1,500 metres | |
Location Rosehill Gardens Racecourse Inaugurated 1903 (as Railway Stakes) Sponsor China Horse Club (2016) | ||
The George Ryder Stakes (now known as the Colgate Optic White Stakes due to sponsorship) is an Australian Turf Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and over at Weight for age conditions, over a distance of 1,500 metres at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Sydney, Australia in March or April. It is run on the same day as the Golden Slipper Stakes. The prize money is A$1,000,000.
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Race history
The origins of the race are from 1903 when the race was run as the Railway Stakes on the same race card as the Rawson Stakes. The race was renamed in 1974 in honour of George E. Ryder who was a racing administrator, stud master and businessman.
The winner is exempt from ballot for the prestigious Doncaster Handicap.
Race name
The race continues to be registered as the George Ryder Stakes but is referred to as the Colgate Optic White Stakes due to sponsorship.