Fantastic finale for The Championships

The Championships is now ingrained into the fabric of Sydney racing following a spectacular day of competition on Day 2 at Royal Randwick Racecourse this afternoon.
 
With near perfect weather, a big crowd of 25,525 witnessed some outstanding performances most notably the victory by It’s a Dundeel in the $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
 
CEO of The Championships, Ian Mackay, said the concept has proved a runaway success:  “What a fantastic finale to our first The Championships and this is just the start – we will build on the solid foundations laid in 2014 and planning for next year is already underway.
 
“Punters really embraced The Championships, with NSW TAB turnover up a massive 39% on the corresponding races last year.”
 
Australian Turf Club CEO, Darren Pearce, said the two weeks of the inaugural The Championships had provided a strong base for future autumn carnivals.
 
“There has been great public support over the two days and we will now sit down with Racing NSW and review how we can improve and grow The Championships,” Mr Pearce said.
 
“The racing has been world class and the ATC would like to thank all the people who have helped to make this event such a success.”
 
Tommy Berry was one the stars of a tremendous day’s racing, capturing the Schweppes Sydney Cup on The Offer, the Cellarbrations Queen of the Turf Stakes on Diamond Drille, and jointly winning the inaugural The Star Jockey Championship with James McDonald whereby both riders receive a Nathan Berry Medal.