Ken Russell Memorial Classic Explained

Surface:	Turf
Class:	Group 3
Horse Race:	Ken Russell Memorial Classic
Location:	Gold Coast Racecourse Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia
Inaugurated:	(as Gold Coast 2YO Classic)
Race Type:	Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Distance:	1,200 metres
Track:	Right-handed
Qualification:	Two-year-olds
Weight:	Set Weights colts and geldings  - 57 kg fillies  - 55 kg
Purse:	A$200,000 (2023)
Bonuses:	Winner ballot exempt from the J. J. Atkins
Sponsor:	TAB (2023)

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 1200m (3,900feet) at Gold Coast Racecourse, Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia in May.^[1] 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.^[2] He was leading rider at the Gold Coast Racecourse four times.^[2] His major wins were in the 1989 Doncaster Handicap, 1991 George Ryder Stakes as well as the Queensland Derby, Queensland Oaks, Goodwood Handicap.^[2]

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^[3]

Winners

• 2023 - Russian Alliance^[4]
• 2022 - Nettuno^[5]
• 2021 - Subterranean^[6]
• 2020 - Wisdom Of Water^[7]
• 2019 - Stronger^[8]
• 2018 - Sesar^[9]
• 2017 - Taking Aim^[10]
• 2016 - Royal Tithe^[11]
• 2015 - Big Tree^[12]
• 2014 - Aimee^[13]
• 2013 - Le Val^[14]
• 2012 - Sizzling^[15]
• 2011 - Hot Snitzel^[16]
• 2010 - Spirit Of Boom^[17]
• 2009 - Facile Tigre^[18]
• 2008 - Cat D'Antibes^[19]
• 2007 - I Have No Fear^[20]
• 2006 - Gold Edition^[21]
• 2005 - Foolish^[22]
• 2004 - Midnight City^[23]
• 2003 - Victory Grove^[24]
• 2002 - Tequila Knowledge^[25]
• 2001 - Palidamah^[26]
• 2000 - Ombra Della Sera^[27]
• 1999 - Let's Compromise^[28]
• 1998 - King Lotto^[29]
• 1997 - Noble Challenge^[30]
• 1996 - Super Espion^[31]
• 1995 - War Baron^[32]
• 1994 - Brave Warrior^[33]
• 1993 - Pimpala Son^[34]
• 1992 - Surtee^[35]
• 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

See also

• List of Australian Group races
• Group races

Notes and References

1. Web site: Winners and Past Results for the Ken Russell Memorial Classic . 18 April 2015. Progroup Racing (Australia). 2014.
2. Web site: Ken Russell . 18 April 2015. Queensland History of Racing. 2011.
3. Web site: Hollindale goes from coast to coast . 16 March 2023 . www.sctc.com.au . 4 May 2023.
4. Web site: 2023 Result  - TAB Ken Russell Memorial Classic (held 6 May 2023). racingpost.com . 7 May 2023.
5. Web site: 2022 Result  - TAB Ken Russell Memorial Classic (held 7 May 2022). breednet.com. 7 May 2022.
6. Web site: 2021 Result  - Ken Russell Memorial Classic (held 8 May 2021). breednet.com. 7 May 2022.
7. Web site: 2020 Result  - TAB Ken Russell Memorial Classic (held 16 May 2020). breednet.com. 16 May 2020.
8. Web site: 2019 Result  - TAB Ken Russell Memorial Classic (held 4 May 2019). breednet.com. 5 May 2019.
9. Web site: 2018 Result  - Moreton Hire Ken Russell Memorial Classic (held 5 May 2018). breednet.com. 5 May 2018.
10. Web site: 2017 Result  - Moreton Hire Ken Russell (held 6 May 2017). breednet.com. 6 May 2017.
11. Web site: 2016 Result  - Jaguar Xj Ken Russell (held 7 May 2016). breednet.com. 7 May 2016.
12. Web site: 2015 Result  - Moreton Hire Ken Russell Mem.(held 25 April 2015). breednet.com. 25 April 2015.
13. Web site: 2014 Result  - Moreton Hire Ken Russell Memorial Classic (held 3 May 2014). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
14. Web site: 2013 Result  - Moreton Hire Ken Russell Memorial Classic (held 4 May 2013). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
15. Web site: 2012 Result  - Moreton Hire Ken Russell Memorial Classic (held 5 May 2012). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
16. Web site: 2011 Result  - Moreton Hire Ken Russell Memorial Classic (held 7 May 2011). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
17. Web site: 2010 Result  - Moreton Hire Ken Russell Memorial Classic (held 8 May 2010). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
18. Web site: 2009 Result  - Culpans Electrical Ken Russell Memorial Classic (held 2 May 2009). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
19. Web site: 2008 Result  - Ken Russell Classic 2-Y-O Plte (held 3 May 2008). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
20. Web site: 2007 Result  - Culpans Electrical Ken Russell Memorial Classic Two-Years-Old Plate (held 5 May 2007). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
21. Web site: 2006 Result  - Culpans Electrical Ken Russell Memorial Classic Qtis 2-Y-O (held 6 May 2006). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
22. Web site: 2005 Result  - Culpans Electrical Ken Russell Memorial Classic Qtis 2-Y-O (held 14 May 2005). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
23. Web site: 2004 Result  - Culpans Electrical Ken Russell Memorial Classic Qtis 2-Y-O Hcp (held 15 May 2004). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
24. Web site: 2003 Result  - Ken Russell Memorial Classic (held 10 May 2003). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
25. Web site: 2002 Result  - Culpans Electrical Ken Russell Memorial Classic (held 11 May 2002). Racing Vic. (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
26. Web site: 2001 Result  - Ken Russell Memorial Classic (held 17 May 2001). Racing NSW (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
27. Web site: 2000 Result  - Ken Russell Stakes (held 17 May 2000). Racing NSW (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
28. Web site: 1999 Result  - Ken Russell Memorial (held 19 May 1999). Racing NSW (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
29. Web site: 1998 Result  - Ken Russell Classic (held 13 May 1998). Racing NSW (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
30. Web site: 1997 Result  - Ken Russell Qris 2y Class (held 14 May 1997). Racing NSW (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
31. Web site: 1996 Result  - Laurie Bricknell 2y Class (held 15 May 1996). Racing NSW (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
32. Web site: 1995 Result  - Ken Russell 2-Y-O Classic (held 15 May 1995). Racing NSW (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
33. Web site: 1994 Result  - Ken Russell 2y Classic (held 18 May 1994). Racing NSW (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
34. Web site: 1993 Result  - Gold Coast 2yo Classic Hc (held 19 May 1993). Racing NSW (Aus.). 18 April 2015.
35. Web site: 1992 Result  - 2yo Classic (held 20 May 1992). Racing NSW (Aus.). 18 April 2015.