Thrills, records and J-Mac wow Carnival
From unforgettable moments and the return of the World’s Best Jockey to thrilling Group 1 victories and dramatic finishes, the 2026 Sportsbet Adelaide Racing Carnival reinforced Morphettville’s standing as the home of South Australian racing.
The 2026 Sportsbet Adelaide Racing Carnival showcased elite racing talent, celebrated milestone achievements for jockeys and trainers, and delivered three Saturdays of thrilling action.
Morphettville was alive on the opening day of the 2026 Sportsbet Adelaide Racing Carnival on Anzac Day, when James McDonald – the World’s Best Jockey – rode in South Australia for the second time – and scored a winning double.
McDonald picked up his first victory in South Australia when the reigning and three-time Longines World’s Best Jockey winner broke through with victory aboard Tycoon Star in the Sportsbet Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m).
James McDonald on board Panova during the Sportsbet Australasian Oaks at Morphettville. Picture: Makoto Kaneko
The reigning and three-time Longines World’s Best Jockey winner then made it back-to-back wins he piloted Panova to victory in the Sportsbet Australasian Oaks (2000m) in the following event – a 199th Group 1 success for trainer Chris Waller.
“To win one of the nice Oaks – I enjoy winning classics – they are one of my favourites, riched in history and this race is no different,” McDonald said.
McDonald couldn’t make it three wins from three rides, finishing sixth aboard Generosity in the Sportsbet Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) – which was one by Geegees Mistruth.
The Sangster victory was a great result for trainer Mark Walker, and it was a second Group 1 victory for jockey Jordan Childs, nearly a decade after his first success aboard Written By in the 2018 Blue Diamond Stakes.
Trainer Phillip Stokes claimed his ninth Group 1 victory when Wigmore flew down the Morphettville straight to win the Thomas Farms SA Derby (2518m) on the second day of the 2026 Sportsbet Adelaide Racing Carnival.
Wigmore’s victory handed Stokes a ninth Group 1 success and second Thomas Farms SA Derby with OTI Racing after winning last year’s race with Femminile.
Teodore Nugent, OTI Racing’s Shayne Driscoll and Phillip Stokes at Morphettville. Picture: Makoto Kaneko
READ MORE
- NOLEN REIGNS SUPREME FOR SECOND GOODWOOD
- WIGMORE STORMS HOME FOR DERBY TRIUMPH
- PORT ADELAIDE CUP WIN FOR ALAINGE
- MORPHETTVILLE PARTNERS WITH RDASA
- GEEGEES MISTRUTH CLAIMS SANGSTER THRILLER
- PANOVA’S OAKS SUCCESS AS WALLER NEARS 200
Jockey John Allen was narrowly denied a fifth Thomas Farms SA Derby (2518m) success aboard runner-up Strictly Business, while Autumn Mystery finished third.
Grand Final Day at Morphettville, Sportsbet Goodwood Day was one to remember for jockey Luke Nolen.
Nolen won his second Sportsbet Goodwood (1200m) when he piloted Desert Lightning to a photo finish, edging out race favourite Extragalactic.
Fourteen years after he won the race with Black Caviar, Nolen settled midfield and tracked Watchme Win, then went for home that saw the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained gelding edged out race favourite Extragalactic.
Desert Lightning, ridden by Luke Nolen, wins the 2026 Sportsbet Goodwood at Morphettville. Picture: Makoto Kaneko
Other highlights during the 2026 Sportsbet Adelaide Racing Carnival included a comeback win for jockey Lauren Stojakovic , who claimed her second biggest victory of her career when Brave Hustler claimed the Group 3 Sportsbet David Coles AM Stakes (1200m).
Stojakovic guided Brave Hustler to the lead then kicked clear on the gelding, storming away for victory for Strathalbyn trainers Shane and Cassie Oxlade.
Thirteen years after a victory aboard Miracles Of Life in the Blue Diamond Stakes, Stojakovic seized the second biggest win of her career, which has included an eight-year lay-off until she returned to the track last October.
Alainge kicked away late for an almost three length victory in the HKJC World Pool Port Adelaide Cup (2518m) on Derby Day to give trainer Garret Lynch, who has dominated the South Australian country racing circuit, his biggest win of his career
Lynch, who began training in 2011, currently leads South Australia’s statewide trainers’ premiership, ahead of Travis Doudle.
