The Championships Day 2: Fangirl claims another Group 1 with a barnstorming performance from last in Queen Of The Turf

Star mare Fangirl completed a Group 1 double for jockey James McDonald and trainer Chris Waller with an exciting win in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Randwick.

Fangirl and James McDonald charge home to win the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Randwick. Picture: Getty Images

Champion jockey James McDonald delivered a masterclass to propel Fangirl to another epic Group 1 win at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

McDonald, who had just won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Via Sistina, didn’t have a runner behind him at the top of the straight.

He had seemingly nowhere to go before muscling his way into a run closest to the fence.

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Fangirl’s class then came to the fore when he got clear air as Chris Waller’s gun mare sprinted strongly late to score in the Group 1 $1m Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m).

“I was just going to have to pray that it would open up,” McDonald said.

“Sometimes when you just let it happen before trying to make it happen, it can be in your favour.

“I actually went out there with the mindset, she was a 10-to-1 chance, and rode her like that.”

Fangirl ($1.60 favourite) was strong late to hold out Doncaster Mile winner Stefi Magnetica ($6.50) by three-quarters of a length while Waller’s Atishu ($9.50) was a nose away in third in her final career start.

It completed a Group 1 double for McDonald and Waller and provided him with his fourth victory in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.

“There’s so many great stories with any winner on the racetrack, but the Group 1s on big days like today, it really is special. So I don’t know where to start,” Waller said.

“Fangirl won her first race in Goulburn during Covid, if I remember. Yeah, she’s come a long way. Each preparation, she just stands up and she’s counted.”

We are huge fans! 👏

Fangirl races away with the G1 TAB Queen Of The Turf Stakes - @cwallerracing and @mcacajamez dominating again!@aus_turf_club | @WorldPoolpic.twitter.com/uCxzVQ2eSE

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 12, 2025

• Via Sistina joins Winx with crowning glory in Queen Elizabeth

Via Sistina is destined to win Australian Horse of the Year but stablemate Fangirl is more than just a support act.

She is now a four-time Group 1 winner and took her earnings soaring past the $10m mark.

Waller had contemplated running Fangirl against Via Sistina in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes but decided to keep the mare at the mile.

“We took a step back today from the Queen Elizabeth, but she’ll get her time in another 2000m race, I promise you that,” he said.

“Obviously, today means so much.

“We’ve got to have horses winning, and the big races especially.

“We would have liked to have had a crack at the Queen Elizabeth, but Via Sistina was flying and I didn’t want to break her heart.”

Waller paid tribute to Atishu following her final run.

The Savabeel mare retires as a three-time Group 1 winner.

“She was brave too, it’s her last run today too, and she’s been an amazing horse,” he said.

“Last three years she’s run in this race, she won it two years ago, got beaten a nose last year, and she’s beaten by Fangirl and the Doncaster winner this year.”

Originally published as The Championships Day 2: Fangirl claims another Group 1 with a barnstorming performance from last in Queen Of The Turf