A remarkable upset unfolded in the 160th running of the Group 1 $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Day 1 of The Championships, with Bjorn Baker‘s mare Stefi Magnetica defying her double-figure odds to claim the coveted title.

2025 Doncaster Mile winner Stefi Magnetica was terrific winning her second Group 1. Photo: Bradley Photos.

The four-year-old daughter of All Too Hard proved to be the surprise package, delivering a stunning performance after two unplaced runs, highlighting the unpredictable nature of this prestigious handicap.

“I must say it’s a massive, massive thrill,” Baker exclaimed to Sky Thoroughbred Central, clearly elated by the unexpected victory.

“I’ve got my biggest clients in this horse. I’ve got a great team. From vets, everyone, Cressfield who we bought her off, Jason Collett, I think he’s ridden more winners for me in Australia than anyone.

“It’s very, very special. I needed to win a big race at The Championships and my team did.

“We’re mindful of that. We’ve had a great year, great two to three years, we’ve been zero here but we’re back.”

Stefi Magnetica, who had finished eighth in the Canterbury Stakes and sixth in the George Ryder Stakes in her lead-up runs, relished the drop in weight to 54.5kg.

This proved to be the catalyst for her return to Group 1 winning form, marking her first turf victory since her Stradbroke Handicap triumph in Brisbane the previous winter.

“Very valuable for Ridgmont, the Cunningham family, and she is, she’s worth a fortune,” Baker commented on the mare’s future value.

“And I think Jason will be a bit like me. He needed a big win through this carnival as well. It’s very special.”

Jockey Jason Collett, who maintained his faith in the mare, shared in the elation, celebrating his maiden Doncaster Mile victory alongside trainer Baker.

“I’m kind of shocked, to be honest. I was in front at the line and was like, ‘holy hell, sh** I’ve just won!” Collett admitted, still processing the unexpected triumph.

“I don’t know, I was just trying to get her comfortable. Most of that race they went a very slow tempo, but I was in the right spot and her turn of foot was electric.

“She did come on a lot from that last start performance, and I liked her gallop better on the Tuesday. I didn’t bolt as quick, it was a bit more of a sustained bolt, but she’s unbelievable.”

Collett navigated Stefi Magnetica ($18) into clear running 200m from the finish, and the mare responded with a powerful surge, lunging right on the line to secure a head victory over the tenacious Royal Patronage ($14), trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott.

“She’s not the biggest, but she’s the toughest,” Baker proudly stated about his winning mare. “

She’s her own personality. She’s a tough, tough, young lady and she’s been up against the best.

“So even last time I thought she would have finished off a bit better, but she’s here today. Just so special for the connections.”

Completing the surprise trifecta was Gary Portelli‘s light weight Encap ($51), who ran a remarkable race for third, just a close margin behind the leading pair.

The Capitalist four-year-old was backing up quickly after a fourth-place finish in Tuesday’s rescheduled Prelude.

Adding further intrigue to the race, the first emergency, Rise At Dawn ($21), trained by the Lindsay Park stable, ran a commendable fourth, only a half-length from the winner.

The gelding gained a late entry following the morning scratching of the 2024 Doncaster winner, Celestial Legend.

“Super gutsy effort. I thought he got it cheap enough but when we started to roll, I thought he was going to get out-dashed,” Tyler Schiller, fresh off his TJ Smith Stakes victory, said of Rise At Dawn’s performance.

“To his credit from the 200m he fought back again and hasn’t been beaten far at all.”

Incredibly, the race was tightly contested, with less than two lengths separating this year’s Doncaster Mile winner and the eleventh horse across the finish line, with Gringotts only 1.66 lengths adrift.

The beaten favourite, Linebacker ($5.50), trained by John O’Shea & Tom Charlton, finished eighth, just 1.18 lengths behind the winner.

“He has gone enormous”, jockey Zac Lloyd said of the unlucky favourite.

“Probably the best horse in the race. Just never executed.

“He didn’t begin. It put us right at the back. Gee he felt good.

“Never seen a horse look so good and not win a race. Tried his hardest.”

2025 Doncaster Mile Results 

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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