P J Bell Stakes
P J Bell Stakes
What is it
The P J Bell Stakes is an Australian horse race for three-year-old fillies. It’s a Group 3 event run over 1,200 metres on turf at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney. The race takes place in autumn as part of the ATC Championships series.
Who can race
Three-year-old female horses (fillies).
Weight and conditions
The race uses set weights with penalties. This means each horse carries a base weight for its age and sex, with extra weight added to some horses based on past form.
Prize money
Around A$200,000 (as of 2023).
History and name
- Inaugurated in 1985 as the Analie Handicap, named after the champion mare Analie.
- Renamed in 1995 to honor P J Bell (Jim Bell), the Australian Turf Club chairman from 1983 to 1992.
- Name changes over time:
- 1985–1994: Analie Handicap
- 1995–2009: P J Bell Handicap
- 2010: McGrath Estate Stakes
- 2011 onward: P J Bell Stakes
- Grade: Listed race from 1985 to 2013; Group 3 status from 2014 onward.
- Venue: Canterbury Park Racecourse hosted the race from 2011 to 2013; Randwick Racecourse has hosted it since 2014.
Recent winners (highlights)
- 2024: Facile
- 2023: Magic Time
- 2022: Heresy
- 2021: Matchmaker
- 2020: Rubisaki
- 2019: Multaja
- 2018: Houtzen
- 2017: Diddums
- 2016: Tempt Me Not
- 2015: Miss Cover Girl
- 2014: Politeness
- 2013: Catkins
Sponsorship
China Horse Club sponsored the race in 2023.
This page was last edited on 1 February 2026, at 14:49 (CET).