The Run To The Rose – Where Talent Meets Potential

The Run To The Rose has become one of Sydney’s most important spring races. Run over 1200 metres at Rosehill Gardens, this Group 2 sprint for three-year-olds consistently attracts the very best colts and fillies as they launch their classic season.

It isn’t just another lead-up—it’s a race that reveals champions, creates stallions, and sets the tone for spring.

This Year’s Top Contenders

The 2025 edition promises to be no exception, with a field brimming with quality:

Raging Force – The San Domenico Stakes winner and race favourite, trained by Peter & Paul Snowden.
Wodeton – Coolmore’s colt, second in the San Domenico and expected to thrive over the extra 100m.
Tempted – The sole filly, Golden Slipper-placed, looking to join In Secret as the only female winner of this race.
Nepotism – Champagne Stakes winner from the Hawkes stable, resuming with serious Group 1 credentials.
Skyhook – Our very own colt in the Red V silks, fresh from an impressive Rosebud victory and ready to test himself against the elite.

Champions Made Here

The honour roll from the last decade reads like a who’s who of Australian racing:

Exosphere (2015) – Golden Rose winner, now at stud.
Astern (2016) – Golden Rose winner, Darley stallion.
Bivouac (2019) – Golden Rose, Newmarket, VRC Sprint Classic; now a headline sire.
Anamoe (2021) – 14 stakes wins, $11.1m prizemoney, Cox Plate winner, now one of Darley’s flagships.
In Secret (2022) – Only filly to win, later landed the Coolmore Stud Stakes and Newmarket Handicap.
Cylinder (2023) – Newmarket Handicap winner, retired immediately to stud.
Traffic Warden (2024) – Runner-up in the Golden Rose, poised to join the elite.

These examples show why the race is often called a stallion-making event.

Barrier Insights

History shows that where you draw matters:

Barrier 3 and 6 – The most successful, with three winners each.
Barrier 4 – Close behind with two winners.
Inside draws (1–3): 40% of winners.
Middle draws (4–6): 50% of winners – the clear sweet spot.
Wide draws (7+): Just one win in the past decade (Menari, 2017).

Takeaway: Mid barriers rule, wide gates are a genuine disadvantage.

Field Size & Trends

Average field size: 9.1 runners (2011–2024).
Largest field: 14 runners (2013, won by Va Pensiero).
Smallest field: 5 runners (2015, won by Exosphere).

Notably, small fields have often been the most star-studded: Pierro (2012), Exosphere (2015), and Rothfire (2020) all won in reduced line-ups.

Track Conditions

Good tracks: 9 of 14 editions (64%).
Soft tracks: 3 editions, producing both inside and outside winners.
Heavy tracks: 2 editions, both won from barrier 6 (Hallowed Crown 2014, Lean Mean Machine 2018).

Despite Sydney’s variable spring weather, the race is usually run on Good ground, offering consistency for horses and punters alike.

The Golden Rose Connection

36% of winners since 2011 backed up to win the Golden Rose (Hallowed Crown, Exosphere, Astern, Bivouac).
55% more placed, including Anamoe (2nd 2021) and In Secret (2nd 2022).
Almost every winner has contested the Golden Rose—proof of the perfect timing between the two races.

Jockey Records

Josh Parr – King of the Run To The Rose with three wins (Hallowed Crown 2014, Menari 2017, Bivouac 2019).
James McDonald – Two wins on colts that went on to Group 1 glory (Astern 2016, Anamoe 2021).
Nash Rawiller – Wins 11 years apart (Pierro 2012, Cylinder 2023), a testament to his longevity at the top.

The best jockeys repeatedly make their mark here.

Practising What We Preach – Skyhook in the Red V

For us, 2025 carries extra meaning. Skyhook, carrying the Red V silks, isn’t just another runner. He embodies what we stand for: smart pedigrees, careful preparation, and testing against the very best.

Skyhook’s progression from Rosebud success into The Run To The Rose follows a path taken by past champions. Win, lose, or draw, his presence in this field is proof that we don’t just provide insights to others—we live them ourselves.

The Stage Is Set

The Run To The Rose continues to prove itself as one of the most influential races on the calendar. With a history of producing stallions, Group 1 winners, and unforgettable moments, it remains the place where the best meet the best.

This year’s edition—headlined by Raging Force, Wodeton, Tempted, Nepotism, and Skyhook—promises to add another memorable chapter to that story.

For those of us in the Red V, the anticipation is even greater.