A clean sweep of Sydney’s Saturday Group 1s was sealed by Hall of Fame conditioner Chris Waller when his charge Fireball saw off stablemate Campione D’Italia in the $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) held at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
This outcome represented the final of eight unbroken Sydney Saturdays of Group 1 fixtures in the 2026 autumn carnival, during which Waller claimed at least one top-level success weekly.
No other figure in Australian racing history has matched this consistent elite performance, and Waller appeared mildly overcome when apprised of the record by Racing And Sports.
“These are the results our team works hard for all year,” Waller said.
“We have had some tremendous results this autumn carnival and I can’t thank my team enough.
“To be able to win at least one Group 1 race each Saturday for eight weeks of the carnival makes me very proud.”
In Sydney’s autumn Group 1 schedule for 2026, Waller amassed 11 wins. Among the highlights of his major race mastery were:
February 28 – Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes: Autumn Glow
March 7- Group 1 Canterbury Stakes: Joliestar
March 14 – Group 1 Coolmore Classic: Lazzura
March 21 – Group 1 George Ryder Stakes: Autumn Glow, Group 1 Ranvet Stakes: Aeliana, Group 1 Rosehill Guineas: Autumn Roy
March 28 – Group 1 Tancred Stakes: Aeliana
April 4 – Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes: Joliestar, Group 1 ATC Sires Produce Stakes: Campione D’Italia
April 11 – Group 1 ATC Australian Oaks: Ohope Win
April 18 – Group 1 Champagne Stakes: Fireball
Waller also notched Group 1 runner-up efforts in the Randwick Guineas (Autumn Boy), Doncaster Mile (Autumn Boy, stablemate Militarize third), Sydney Cup (Soul Of Spain), Queen of the Turf Stakes (Lady Shenandoah) and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Lindermann, stablemate Autumn Glow third).
James McDonald, Waller’s go-to jockey, had steered the trainer’s previous 10 Group 1 autumn winners, yet aboard Champagne Stakes favourite Campione D’Italia he couldn’t stretch that sequence further.
Fireball ($6.50), under Tim Clark, repelled Campione D’Italia ($2.15 favourite) by half a neck, while Diameter ($26) was a long head away in third.
Clark’s ride delivered his 27th lifetime Group 1 win on Fireball, the first such for Waller.
“He got a great run today.,” Clark said. “I was thinking before the race, I don’t want to get there too soon, but just how the race unfolded, I had to present him when I did.
“The challenge came early enough that he had the opportunity to fight back and that he did. He’s obviously so tough and he’s been running in all the big races. I’m thrilled to get a good result for Chris and James Harron and all of his connections.”
James Harron paid $460,000 for Fireball, a Snitzel product and the sire’s 28th individual Group 1 hero, at the prior Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Post-Champagne Stakes, Fireball’s stud prospects command over $20 million.
Waller praised Fireball’s resilience through a drawn-out preparation, affirming the colt’s right to Group 1 glory.
“Full credit to the horse because he’s been able to deal with it,” Waller said.
“You wouldn’t know he’s deep into a ‘prep’, each run has had so much merit and not a lot of luck, so he deserved that today.
“He’s got there by telling us that he’s coping well with his racing. Distance-wise, I’ve never really been too concerned.
“I thought in the Golden Slipper, he was beaten at the 300m, but he was still strong through the line, then last start at 1400m, he didn’t have much luck. But today he was great.”
Runner-up Campione D’Italia battled stoutly, fresh off a ATC Sires Produce Stakes victory a couple of weeks back, as another elite Snitzel Group 1 colt.
“A fantastic result as both colts are by Snitzel, he’s an amazing stallion,” Waller said.
“Campione D’Italia’s a young ‘lad’, he’s still learning his trade and he’ll be much better next season.”
Per McDonald, a cleaner run would have seen Campione D’Italia claim the Champagne Stakes.
“He is an outstanding colt but is still a work in progress,” McDonald said.
“He has come a long way to win the Sires which was tremendous and he went down fighting today.
“With even luck through the midstages, he probably would have won the race.”
Visit leading racing betting markets to wager on top contests including the Champagne Stakes.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login