The curtain fell on the elite level of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival with a tactical masterclass, as Chris Waller’s star three-year-old Beiwacht outclassed a field of seasoned veterans to claim the 2026 All Aged Stakes at Royal Randwick.

2026 All Aged Stakes winner Beiwacht led all-the-way to beat home his older rivals. Photo: Bradley Photos.

The Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) featured a high-calibre assembly of sprinters, but it was the progressive Bivouac colt who dictated terms from the jump.

Previously a winner of the Golden Rose, Beiwacht proved his versatility and grit by leading from barrier to box.

“He’s a very special horse,” Waller told Sky Thoroughbred Central following the victory.

“He did it in the Golden Rose as well and broke the Rosehill track record.

“He’s a pretty talented young colt.

“So, to beat the older horses, and this year’s All Aged Stakes I think, like the rest of the carnival, it’s a very special field, it’s good horses.

“He gets the accolades today.”

Partnered for the first time by Nash Rawiller, Beiwacht ($6.50) utilised his favourable barrier two to perfection.

The win marked Rawiller’s first All Aged Stakes victory since his 2014 triumph aboard Hana’s Goal.

“He just travelled beautifully and he ran the sectionals and kicked off that,” Rawiller said.

“You know what it’s like when you’re on a really good horse and you know you’re home.

“I just love the way he lengthened stride again when I asked him.

“I was just happy to enjoy it.”

Beiwacht became the first three-year-old to capture the All Aged title since Giga Kick in 2023.

Arriving rock-hard fit fourth-up, he relished the slight drop in distance after finishing sixth behind his champion stablemate Autumn Glow in the George Ryder Stakes.

In a race where the backmarkers struggled to make an impact, Beiwacht was the definitive standout.

After maintaining a steady tempo, he offered a powerful kick at the 200m mark to establish a two-length buffer.

He safely held off a late surge from stablemate Lazzura ($15) to win by 0.92 lengths, while the defending champion Jimmysstar ($5.50) grabbed third.

“Really good run,” jockey Jason Collett said of the runner-up, Lazzura.

“Had the gate and was able to get into the right spot.

“Split came late to run a Group 1 placing. Very good.”

The victory capped a remarkable turnaround for the colt, who began his prep with a last-place finish in the Black Caviar Lightning.

“I think he didn’t like running down the straight, so we needed to find a stallion-making race that really stamps his authority, and this race stuck out,” Waller explained.

“He ran well on the George Ryder… today, back on a good track, he was terrific.

“Even his run behind Joliestar, that showed that he was right up there with the best older horses.”

While the 1400m appears to be his “sweet spot,” future plans remain in the hands of the Godolphin team.

Waller hinted at targets like The Everest, while Rawiller suggested the horse’s future lies in the sprint-to-mile range.

“Look, he’s just a really highly talented, let’s say he’s a sprinter-miler, but at this stage I wouldn’t be rushing to get there,” Rawiller noted.

“I think there’s plenty of 1400m and 1200m races he could be winning before then.”

Waller also praised Lazzura’s performance, suggesting the mare might even be considered for an international campaign in the UK.

“She was awesome. She might get on the plane too. She was a star,” he said.

2026 All Aged Stakes Results

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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