Ken Russell Memorial Classic is a Gold Coast Turf Club Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-olds run at set weights over a distance of at Gold Coast Racecourse,

Surfers Paradise Surfing is a surface water sport in which an individual, a surfer (or two in tandem surfing), uses a board to ride on the forward section, or face, of a moving wave of water, which usually carries the surfer towards the shore. Waves suitabl ...

, Queensland,

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

in May. Total prizemoney is A$200,000.

History

The race is named in honour of jockey Kenneth Charles Russell (1951–1993), who was killed in a race fall at Sydney's Rosehill Racecourse in 1993. He was leading rider at the Gold Coast Racecourse four times. His major wins were in the 1989 Doncaster Handicap, 1991 George Ryder Stakes as well as the Queensland Derby, Queensland Oaks, Goodwood Handicap.

Name

*1974–1993 - Gold Coast 2YO Classic Handicap *1994–1995 - Ken Russell 2YO Classic Handicap *1996 - Laurie Bricknell 2YO Classic *1997–1998 - Ken Russell 2YO Classic Handicap *1999 onwards - Ken Russell Memorial Classic

Distance

*1974–1999 - 1,400 metres *2000–2005 - 1,300 metres *2006 onwards - 1,200 metres

Grade

*1984–2013 - Listed Race *2014 onwards - Group 3

Conditions

* Prior 1997 - Handicap *1997–2004 - Quality Handicap *2005 onwards - Set weights

Venue

* 2023 - Sunshine Coast Racecourse

Winners

* 2023 - Russian Alliance * 2022 - Nettuno * 2021 - Subterranean *2020 - Wisdom Of Water *2019 - Stronger *2018 - Sesar *2017 - Taking Aim *2016 - Royal Tithe *2015 - Big Tree *2014 - Aimee *2013 - Le Val *2012 - Sizzling *2011 - Hot Snitzel *2010 - Spirit Of Boom *2009 - Facile Tigre *2008 - Cat D'Antibes *2007 - I Have No Fear *2006 - Gold Edition *2005 - Foolish *2004 - Midnight City *2003 - Victory Grove *2002 - Tequila Knowledge *2001 - Palidamah *2000 - Ombra Della Sera *1999 - Let's Compromise *1998 - King Lotto *1997 - Noble Challenge *1996 - Super Espion *1995 - War Baron *1994 - Brave Warrior *1993 - Pimpala Son *1992 - Surtee *1991 - Gad's Hill *1990 - Shot Of Comfort *1989 - ''race not held'' *1988 - Temple Front *1987 - Superb Effort *1986 - Tristram *1985 - Rass Flyer *1984 - Gypsy Circle *1983 - Riverdale *1982 - Carnarvon Bridge *1981 - Copperama *1980 - Royal Paree *1979 - Red Invader *1978 - Rey Moro *1977 - Pacific Prince *1976 - Romantic Dream *1975 - ''race not held'' *1974 - Dungunnin

References

{{reflist, 2 Horse races in Australia Flat horse races for two-year-olds Sport on the Gold Coast, Queensland