The Doncaster Prelude is a Group 3 race offering the winner a ballot exemption into the Doncaster Mile field during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
2025 Doncaster Prelude Results
- 1st: #1 Just Folk
- 2nd: #6 New Endeavour
- 3rd: #10 Ducasse
Doncaster Prelude News
Tancred Stakes Day 2025 was called off on Saturday due to heavy rainfall with all 10 races, including the 2025 Doncaster Prelude, postponed until Tuesday April 1. Click here for the full story.
The Doncaster Prelude is a Group 3 race conducted at Rosehill Gardens in late March offering a spot in the year’s Doncaster Mile field to the winner.
2025 Doncaster Prelude Results
- 1st: #1 Just Folk
- 2nd: #6 New Endeavour
- 3rd: #10 Ducasse
A super quick back-up into Saturday’s $4 million Doncaster Mile is on the cards for Gavin Bedggood’s evergreen eight-year-old Just Folk ($14) with the gutsy galloper leading all-the-way to salute by 1.22 lengths in the Doncaster Prelude 2025 results on Tuesday in an impressive upset.
Doncaster Prelude 2025 Odds & Results
Racing And Sports Doncaster Prelude (G3)
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
1. Just Folk (7) J: Tommy Berry 59kg
T: Gavin Bedggood |
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|
2nd
6. New Endeavour (1) J: Rachel King 56kg
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
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|
3rd
10. Ducasse (10) J: Tyler Schiller 54kg
T: Michael Freedman |
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|
4th
5. Encap (6) J: Nash Rawiller 56.5kg
T: Gary Portelli |
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|
5th
7. Sandpaper (9) J: Tim Clark 55.5kg
T: Bjorn Baker |
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|
6th
2. Amenable (4) J: Chad Schofield 58kg
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
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|
7th
9. Berkshire Shadow (3) J: Jason Collett 54kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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|
8th
14. Sibaaq (11) J: Harry Coffey 53.5kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
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|
9th
15. Glint Of Silver (5) J: Jay Ford 53kg
T: David Pfieffer |
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10th
3. Rediener (2) J: Damian Lane 57kg
T: Chris Waller |
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|
11th
4. Willaidow (8) J: Zac Lloyd 57kg
T: Marc Conners |
Data retrieved: 16/05/2025 07:14:45 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
Part of Tancred Stakes Day each Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, the Doncaster Prelude is a quality handicap event run over 1500m worth $250,000 in prize money.
It takes place on the same day as two elite level races – the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) and the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).
Horses running in the Doncaster Prelude field are usually eyeing a seven-day back-up into the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Day 1 of ‘The Championships’, but the Group 3 doesn’t have a record of producing Doncaster Mile winners.
In 2014 the Prelude winner Weary backed up and finished third to Sacred Falls in that year’s Doncaster Mile trifecta. He also placed second later that month in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m).
Another next-up option for Doncaster Prelude graduates is the Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick a fortnight later. Gallopers also often do well if they head up to Queensland for the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival targeting events like the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in May.
The 2024 Doncaster Prelude winner Another Wil franked the form with a second in that spring’s Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes before a 2025 autumn return to win the Group 1 CF Orr and place fourth in the All-Star Mile.
The Doncaster Prelude 2025 ran on Tuesday April 1, 2025 at Rosehill Gardens on Tancred Stakes Day offering the winner a ballot and penalty free ride into the Group 1 Doncaster Mile after being postponed due to heavy rainfall in Sydney on Saturday and saw the Gavin Bedggood trained veteran Just Folk ($14) lead from barrier to box.
| 2025 Doncaster Prelude | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Tuesday April 1, 2025 |
| Track: | Rosehill Racecourse |
| Distance: | 1500m |
| Race Type: | Quality Handicap |
| Status: | Group 3 |
| Prize Money: | $250,000 |
2025 Doncaster Prelude Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | JUST FOLK | Gavin Bedggood | Tommy Berry | 11 | 59kg | $14 | |||
| 2 | 6 | NEW ENDEAVOUR (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Ms Rachel King | 1.22L | 1 | 56kg | $4.60F | ||
| 3 | 10 | DUCASSE | Michael Freedman | Tyler Schiller | 1.88L | 15 | 54kg | $5.50 | ||
| 4 | 5 | ENCAP | Gary Portelli | Nash Rawiller | 4.27L | 10 | 56.5kg | $8.50 | ||
| 5 | 7 | SANDPAPER | Bjorn Baker | Tim Clark | 10.15L | 14 | 55.5kg | $14 | ||
| 6 | 2 | AMENABLE | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Chad Schofield | 12.6L | 7 | 58kg | $5.50 | ||
| 7 | 9 | BERKSHIRE SHADOW (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Jason Collett | 12.84L | 5 | 54kg | $16 | ||
| 8 | 14 | SIBAAQ (GB) | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Harry Coffey | 12.98L | 16 | 53.5kg | $19 | ||
| 9 | 15 | GLINT OF SILVER | David Pfieffer | Jay Ford | 14.29L | 9 | 53kg | $41 | ||
| 10 | 3 | REDIENER | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 16.05L | 2 | 57kg | $19 | ||
| 11 | 4 | WILLAIDOW | Marc Conners | Zac Lloyd | 44.18L | 13 | 57kg | $6.50 | ||
| 17e | SCARLET OAK | Chris Waller | 0 | |||||||
| 16 | JIMI HENDRIX (IRE) | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Ms Alysha Collett | 0 | ||||||
| 11 | GREBENI | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Kerrin McEvoy | 0 | ||||||
| 8 | WEST OF AFRICA | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Tyler Schiller | 0 | ||||||
| 13 | LAVISH EMPIRE | Peter Snowden | Tom Sherry | 0 | ||||||
| 12 | WILLIAMSBURG | Brett Cavanough | Reece Jones | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2025 Doncaster Prelude Betting
The top Doncaster Prelude 2025 betting odds will be available here at Races.com.au as soon as markets on the autumn Group 3 are open at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Yao Dash ($3.90 in 2021), Mr Mozart ($3.50 in 2022), and Another Wil ($1.75 in 2024) are the last favourites in Doncaster Prelude betting to salute for the punters.
There was a notable upset in 2025 with Just Folk leading all-the-way to win at $14.
2025 Doncaster Prelude Form
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2025 DONCASTER PRELUDE FORM GUIDE
2025 Doncaster Prelude Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Doncaster Prelude 2025 Tips on the important Group 1 lead-up this autumn.
- To Win: #4 Willaidow ($5 at time of publish) – BET NOW
A few close together at the top of the markets here but sticking with the current favourite at time of publish, WILLAIDOW (13), who has a wide alley to overcome but the class and hoop to do so. Marc Conners’ six-year-old has James McDonald aboard with the galloper looking to continue his ace Rosehill strike-rate (7:3-2-0). Loves this track and was a first-up Group 3 winner here back in early February. Fourth up now and looking to go one better than his close second to Iowna Merc in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes at the track and trip a fortnight ago when run down late after going to the front early. Goes up in the weights from 54kg to 57kg but has been going well and handles the give in the track so should get conditions to suit. Do or die. Think he’ll do.
2025 Doncaster Prelude Field
The Doncaster Prelude field attracts quality middle-distance gallopers eyeing a late autumn Group 1 run in a race like the Doncaster Mile or All Aged Stakes and is released by Racing NSW the Wednesday before Tancred Stakes Day.
The official Doncaster Prelude 2025 field and barriers will be out on the Wednesday of race week and released right here.
The 2025 Doncaster Prelude final field features a capacity line-up of middle-distance types chasing a run in the Group 1 Saturday week led in betting by last start Group 2 Ajax runner-up Willaidow.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | H Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x63121x438 | JUST FOLK | Gavin Bedggood | Tommy Berry | 11 | 59kg | 107 | ||
| 2 | 29225x70x2 | AMENABLE | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Chad Schofield | 7 | 58kg | 105 | ||
| 3 | 10x4070x40 | REDIENER | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 2 | 57kg | 103 | ||
| 4 | x21811x152 | WILLAIDOW | Marc Conners | James McDonald | 13 | 57kg | 103 | ||
| 5 | 0x714053x7 | ENCAP | Gary Portelli | Nash Rawiller | 10 | 56.5kg | 102 | ||
| 6 | 22x03790x6 | NEW ENDEAVOUR (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Ms Rachel King | 1 | 56kg | 101 | ||
| 7 | 8234×13221 | SANDPAPER | Bjorn Baker | Tim Clark | 14 | 55.5kg | 100 | ||
| 8 | 19117×3163 | WEST OF AFRICA | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Tyler Schiller | 12 | 54.5kg | 98 | ||
| 9 | 9x630930x9 | BERKSHIRE SHADOW (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Jason Collett | 5 | 54kg | 97 | ||
| 10 | 9x09715x15 | DUCASSE | Michael Freedman | 15 | 54kg | 97 | |||
| 11 | 11x487x8x3 | GREBENI | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 54kg | 97 | ||
| 12 | 506223130x | WILLIAMSBURG | Brett Cavanough | Reece Jones | 17 | 54kg | 97 | ||
| 13 | x05359x595 | LAVISH EMPIRE | Peter Snowden | Tom Sherry | 6 | 54kg | 84 | ||
| 14 | 43x24789x3 | SIBAAQ (GB) | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Harry Coffey | 16 | 53.5kg | 94 | ||
| 15 | x634024x27 | GLINT OF SILVER | David Pfieffer | Jay Ford | 9 | 53kg | 85 | ||
| 16 | x2008x600x | JIMI HENDRIX (IRE) | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Ms Alysha Collett | 8 | 53kg | 93 | ||
| 17e | 12110x0x30 | SCARLET OAK | Chris Waller | 4 | 54kg | 92 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2025 Doncaster Prelude Nominations
The Doncaster Prelude 2025 nominations close on the Monday of race week and will be published below in full once out.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | H Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29225x70x2 | AMENABLE | G | 5 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | 105 |
| 2 | 9x630930x9 | BERKSHIRE SHADOW (GB) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher | 97 |
| 3 | 9x09715x15 | DUCASSE | G | 4 | Michael Freedman | 97 |
| 4 | 0x714053x7 | ENCAP | G | 4 | Gary Portelli | 102 |
| 5 | 4×01265277 | FLYING TRAPEZE | H | 4 | Gary Portelli | 87 |
| 6 | x634024x27 | GLINT OF SILVER | G | 5 | David Pfieffer | 85 |
| 7 | 11x487x8x3 | GREBENI | G | 5 | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | 97 |
| 8 | x2008x600x | JIMI HENDRIX (IRE) | G | 6 | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | 93 |
| 9 | x63121x438 | JUST FOLK | G | 8 | Gavin Bedggood | 107 |
| 10 | x05359x595 | LAVISH EMPIRE | G | 5 | Peter Snowden | 84 |
| 11 | 22x03790x6 | NEW ENDEAVOUR (IRE) | G | 5 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 101 |
| 12 | 10x4070x40 | REDIENER | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 103 |
| 13 | 0122111×16 | RISE AT DAWN (NZ) | G | 4 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 102 |
| 14 | 2x1x25421x | SAKTI (IRE) | M | 4 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | 92 |
| 15 | 8234×13221 | SANDPAPER | G | 5 | Bjorn Baker | 100 |
| 16 | 12110x0x30 | SCARLET OAK | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 92 |
| 17 | 43x24789x3 | SIBAAQ (GB) | G | 7 | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | 94 |
| 18 | x151x7x60x | SPIRIT OF GAYLARD (NZ) | G | 6 | Mike Cattell | 74 |
| 19 | 2143x6250x | TERRITORY EXPRESS | G | 5 | Paul Niceforo | 105 |
| 20 | 19117×3163 | WEST OF AFRICA | G | 5 | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | 98 |
| 21 | x21811x152 | WILLAIDOW | G | 6 | Marc Conners | 103 |
| 22 | 506223130x | WILLIAMSBURG | G | 5 | Brett Cavanough | 97 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Doncaster Prelude History
The Doncaster Prelude was first run in 1985 and won by Bring Home. It is officially ed as the Royal Prama – named after the 1968 Golden Slipper Stakes winner. It has been known as the Doncaster Prelude since 2010 and has been conducted over distances ranging from 1400m – 1600m. It started as a Listed race before gaining Group 3 status in 2011 and from 2010 – 2013 ran at Royal Randwick.
Notable Doncaster Prelude winners include Defier (2002), Helsinborg (2003), My Kingdom Of Fife (2011), and Weary (2014).
In 2019 trainer Chris Waller won his fifth Doncaster Prelude and second on the trot with Mister Sea Wolf (2019) who had ran third behind stablemate Cellarman the year before.
In 2022 the Doncaster Prelude was moved from Rosehill on Saturday the 26th of March to Newcastle on Monday the 28th of March due to unsafe Heavy track conditions and rainfall.
Recent Doncaster Prelude Winners
Below has a table of Doncaster Prelude results and winners going back to 2000 to help with betting on the current season’s race.
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Just Folk | 1 minute 30.39 seconds |
| 2nd | New Endeavour | ||
| 3rd | Ducasse | ||
| 2024 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Another Wil | 1 minute 28.44 seconds |
| 2nd | Bandersnatch | ||
| 3rd | Welwal | ||
| 2023 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Bandersnatch | 1 minute 29.97 seconds |
| 2nd | Welwal | ||
| 3rd | Diamil | ||
| 2022 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Mr Mozart | 1 minute 31.74 seconds |
| 2nd | Our Playboy | ||
| 3rd | Dajraan | ||
| 2021 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Yao Dash | 1 minute 28.34 seconds |
| 2nd | Mister Sea Wolf | ||
| 3rd | Bottega | ||
| 2020 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Cascadian | 1 minute 31.66 seconds |
| 2nd | Mask Of Time | ||
| 3rd | Gaulois | ||
| 2019 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Mister Sea Wolf | 1 minute 34.47 seconds |
| 2nd | Abdon | ||
| 3rd | Tom Melbourne | ||
| 2018 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Cellarman | 1 minute 29.99 seconds |
| 2nd | Ecuador | ||
| 3rd | Mister Sea Wolf | ||
| 2017 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Spectroscope | 1 minute 33.65 seconds |
| 2nd | No Doubt | ||
| 3rd | Marenostro | ||
| 2016 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Havana Cooler | 1 minute 29.0 seconds |
| 2nd | Cosmic Cube | ||
| 3rd | Rudy | ||
| 2015 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Excess Knowledge | 1 minute 29.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Malice | ||
| 3rd | Leebaz | ||
| 2014 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Weary | 1 minute 31.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Leebaz | ||
| 3rd | I’m Imposing | ||
| 2013 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Skyerush | 1 minute 36.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Alma’s Fury | ||
| 3rd | Illo | ||
| 2012 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Fast Clip | 1 minute 35.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Speediness | ||
| 3rd | Alma’s Fury | ||
| 2011 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | My Kingdom Of Fife | 1 minute 34.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Hidden Wonder | ||
| 3rd | Bold Glance | ||
| 2010 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Brilliant Light | 1 minute 35.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Gold Water | ||
| 3rd | Snapy Halo | ||
| 2009 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Dao Dao | 1 minute 24.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Musket | ||
| 3rd | Pins On Parade | ||
| 2008 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Valedictum | 1 minute 26.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Master Magic | ||
| 3rd | Theseo | ||
| 2007 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Mr Ubiquitous | 1 minute 23.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Mystery City | ||
| 3rd | A Country Girl | ||
| 2006 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Gorgonite | 1 minute 22.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Mindreader | ||
| 3rd | Legendary Man | ||
| 2005 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Osca Warrior | 1 minute 29.0 seconds |
| 2nd | Fire At Will | ||
| 3rd | Gabfest | ||
| 2004 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Allgunadoit | 1 minute 28.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Cariboo | ||
| 3rd | Jeremiad | ||
| 2003 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Helsinborg | 1 minute 23.2 seconds |
| 2nd | On A High | ||
| 3rd | Palladium Star | ||
| 2002 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Defier | 1 minute 22.0 seconds |
| 2nd | Salgado | ||
| 3rd | Hire | ||
| 2001 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Final Fantasy | 1 minute 21.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Old Man | ||
| 3rd | Spying | ||
| 2000 Doncaster Prelude |
1st | Le Zagaletta | 1 minute 30.0 seconds |
| 2nd | Summa Cum Laude | ||
| 3rd | Roulette | ||
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