The hype surrounding Chris Waller’s progressive colt Campione D’italia has reached a fever pitch following his dominant Group 1 breakthrough in Saturday’s 2026 Inglis Sires’ at Royal Randwick.

Campione D’Italia is now favourite for the Champagne Stakes after winning the 2026 Inglis Sires’. Photo: Bradley Photos.

Serving as the opening elite-level feature on a massive Day 1 of The Championships card, the Group 1 $1 million Inglis Sires’ (1400m) saw the son of Snitzel ($4.20) provide Waller with his second win in the juvenile classic, mirroring the success of Militarize in 2023.

The victory also marked a staggering six consecutive weeks of Group 1 triumphs for jockey James McDonald, who produced a tactical masterpiece to secure the prestigious two-year-old prize.

The all-in quote for Campione D’italia to become the latest 2YO to win the Inglis Sires’ / Champagne Stakes double since the fellow Waller-trained Militarize (2023) has firmed in from $4.20 to $2.60 through Ladbrokes!

Improving sharply on his eye-catching fourth in the Golden Slipper, Campione D’italia thrived with the step up to the seven furlongs.

Positioning himself perfectly in fifth at the top of the straight, he unleashed an authoritative burst to hunt down the leaders and post a convincing 0.76-length victory.

“He’s a young horse. Today was his fourth career start and each run has got a little bit better, a little bit better,” Waller told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-race. “His run in the Golden Slipper was amazing. He just got too far back. It was no-one’s fault, and the horse is just learning all the time. He got a lovely draw today, and that was the difference… It was good to see him knuckle down and get the job done.”

Waller noted the colt’s rapid mental development: “He’s got raw talent. His first start he did everything wrong… We had to harness that a little bit and bring him back. He’s a lovely colt.”

Inside the final 100m, Campione D’italia and J-Mac surged clear to hold off a late challenge from the Waterhouse/Bott-trained Miss Chanel, who finished three-quarters of a length away in second.

“Not many as tough as her,” jockey Regan Bayliss said of the runner-up. “A gallant effort. She just copped a check at the start… She had a lovely uninterrupted run into it and was strong through the line.”

Waller’s second runner, Fireball ($18), rounded out the stable’s productive day by finishing 1.5 lengths off his winning stablemate to claim third.

Attention now shifts to All Aged Stakes Day on April 18, where Campione D’italia is expected to contest the Group 1 $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m).

He aims to become the 43rd horse in history to complete the ATC Sires’ / Champagne Stakes double.

“Militarize, he won the Sires’ and then he won the Champagne, so I’ll have a talk to the team and see what they suggest,” Waller added.

Futures markets at Ladbrokes have reacted swiftly, crunching the colt from $4.20 into $2.60 for the mile feature.

McDonald is confident the distance won’t be an issue.

“He’s a sensational horse… I’m sure he’ll run the 1600m right out,” McDonald said. “Great to see him put it together today, we’ve always had a big opinion of him.”

2026 Inglis Sires’ Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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