Colin Stephen Quality Handicap

Colin Stephen Quality Handicap

Group 3 race
Gloaming, 1924 winner
Location	Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney, Australia
Inaugurated	1870 (as Spring Stakes)
Race type	Thoroughbred - flat
Sponsor	Toyota Forklifts (2024)
Race information
Distance	2,400 metres
Surface	Turf
Track	Right-handed
Qualification	Horses three years old and older
Weight	Quality handicap
Purse	A$250,000 (2024)
Bonuses	Winner exemption from a ballot on The Metropolitan

The Colin Stephen Quality Handicap is an Australian Turf Club Group 3 Thoroughbred open quality handicap horse race for horses three years old and older, over a distance of 2400 metres, held annually at Rosehill Racecourse, Sydney, Australia, in September. Total prize money for the race is A$250,000.^[1]

The race is named after the former chairman of the Australian Jockey Club Sir Colin Stephen (1872–1937). Stephen was a solicitor, horse racing administrator, racehorse owner/breeder and polo player. A committee member from 1912 served on the Sir Adrian Knox sub-committee which framed the rules of racing of that year and as chairman of the Australian Jockey Club from 1919, Stephen was determined to make racing in New South Wales a clean and healthy pastime. In 1933 his revised rules were adopted throughout Australia. Sir Colin Stephen’s racing colours of Pale blue, white cap were carried to success by the Ascot Vale Stakes winners Fidelity 1936 & Caesar 1937 defeating the champion Ajax.^[2][3][4]

This race was called the AJC Spring Stakes until 1938. In 1976, 1983, 1988 and 2006 it was known as the AJC Queens Cup. During 1989 and 1995 the race was called the AJC The Japan Trophy race. In 1977 it was the AJC Jubilee Handicap.^[1]

In 2016 the event was raced as the Queen's Cup,^[5] which was also held at Rosehill in 2022.^[6]

• The race was run at Weight for age from 1938 to 1972.

• 
  Front cover of the 1934 AJC Spring Stakes racebook
• 
  Starters and results of the 1934 AJC Spring Stakes showing the winner, Rogilla
• 
  Starters and results of the 1934 AJC Spring Stakes
• 
  Back cover showing railway & entrance charges
• 
  Front page 1943 AJC Colin Stephen Stakes racebook
• 
  1943 AJC Colin Stephen Stakes showing raceday officials
• 
  Starters and results showing the winner, Katanga
• 
  Back cover showing Totalisator Odds Indicator

• 
  Phar Lap, 1930 & 1931 winner
• 
  Beau Vite, 1940 & 1941 winner
• 
  Russia, 1945 winner
• 
  Delta,1950 & 1951 winner
• 
  Flight, 1944 winner

• List of Australian Group races
• Group races