The Ingham, first run in 1982 as the Villiers, has evolved into a prestigious event that boasts an impressive $2 million in prizemoney. Today, it attracts a highly competitive field of horses, all eager to join in the festive spirit and claim an early victory in the lead-up to Christmas. This year, the spotlight is on Gringotts, who is aiming for his third consecutive feature win, with the full field hot on his heels.
Horses who claim victory in the Ingham often go on to perform strongly in the Doncaster, as the race offers exemption from the ballot. In 2016, Sense Of Occasion, after winning the Villiers, went on to place in the Doncaster, and later finished behind Winx in the Queen Elizabeth, before securing his Group 1 triumph in the Doomben Cup. Ike’s Dream once held the coveted Randwick mile track record, set in 2004 with a time of 1:33.13 when she won the Villiers. Her record stood until 2018, cementing her place in history.
Happy Clapper is another standout, not only winning the Villiers, but also the Doncaster and Epsom, a remarkable treble that showcases his love for the Randwick mile. He remains the only horse to achieve this feat and is now honoured with a bar named after the champion in the new Winx Stand.
The Ingham Charity Raceday also pays tribute to the Australian and global icons of horse racing, as well as the founding benefactors of the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Mr. Bob Ingham AO and Mr. Jack Ingham AO.
