Bill Ritchie Handicap

The Bill Ritchie Handicap is a Group 3 race run under Quality Handicap conditions for open class horses at Randwick conducted by the Australian Turf Club.

The Bill Ritchie Handicap is run over 1400m. It was first run in 1978 and was won by Go Mod.

The Bill Ritchie Handicap has been run at Rosehill, Warwick Farm and Randwick where it has been since 2012.

The Bill Ritchie Handicap has always been run over 1400m. It was a Listed race until 1997 then Group 3 after that.

This is a traditional handicap lead up to the Epsom Handicap.

The race was run for many years but not at black type level and not under this name.

Steps In Time, Judged, Probabeel and Atishu are the only mares to win in the last 20 years.

Boban, Kolding, Probabeel, Top Ranked and Rediener are the only horses to do the Bill Ritchie/Epsom Handicap double.

In 2019 Kolding would win the G1 Epsom and inaugural Golden Eagle his next two starts while Fierce Impact took the G1 Toorak and G1 Cantala his next couple.

The 2007 race was not held due to the Equine Influenza break out.

The Bill Ritchie Handicap was worth $250,000 in 2024. The winner is exempt from Epsom Hcp ballot.

Notable winners of the Bill Ritchie Handicap include Rediener (2023), Top Ranked (2022), Probabeel (2020), Kolding (2019), Comin' Through (2017), Manawanui (2014), Boban (2013), Steps In Time (2012), Zabarra (2002/2003), Landsighting (2000), Bezeal Bay (1998), Holy Roller (1997), Monopolize (1995), Rouslan (1994), Prince Of Praise (1992), Our Poverty Bay (1990), Dinky Flyer (1985) and Leica Planet (1983).

The 2024 Bill Ritchie Handicap was won by McHale from Gringotts and Felix Majestic.