Newly minted Group 1 winner Bay Of Biscay has been confirmed as the first runner in the 2025 Racing And Sports The Rising Sun.
The star Victorian has this week accepted an invitation to head north for one of the Queensland Constellations’ marquee Group 1 feature – worth $300,000 in prize money.
Trained by Emma Stewart, the gun four-year-old has enjoyed a stellar start to his career, claiming 10 wins from only 21 starts, amassing almost $1 million in prize money along the way.
His highlight victory came at the start of March, taking out the Group 1 Chariots Of Fire at Menangle in a dominant front-running display, alongside a brave second placing in the world’s richest harness race, The Eureka six months earlier.
Racing Queensland Senior Racing Manager – Harness Andrew Clarke said he was delighted to have Bay Of Biscay unveiled as the first acceptor into this year’s feature.
“The reinvigorated Queensland Constellations is giving trainers across Australasia more reason than ever to target the best winter racing the nation has to offer,” Mr Clarke said.
“Bay Of Biscay’s dominant win in the Chariots Of Fire confirmed his status as one of the most promising horses in the country, and already underpins the strength of the field to be assembled for The Rising Sun.
“We look forward to unveiling further invitees over the coming weeks as we draw closer to another exciting and innovative iteration of the Queensland Constellations.”
To be staged on July 5 at Albion Park, The Rising Sun will boast an additional $50,000 bonus for a three-year-old winner, as well as a $25,000 bonus if a 3YO runs second or third.
There will be further incentive for the winner of The Rising Sun, who will progress straight through to the Inter Dominion Pacing Final providing it meets the eligibility conditions, including competing in the Kevin Thomas 4YO on the same night as the second round of Inter Dominion heats.
The evening will also play host to the first round of Inter Dominion heats, as well as both the South East Derby and Oaks respectively.
Racing Queensland and Albion Park Club officials will meet on a weekly basis to discuss the remaining invites for the race with the balance of the field to be selected from the nominations, which close on Monday, June 30.
Staged from June 14 to July 19 at Albion Park, Redcliffe and Marburg, more than $4 million in prize money and bonuses will go on the line across the Queensland Constellations over five action-packed weeks, including 15 Group races – seven of which are Group 1 events.
The Inter Dominion will take its place as the Constellations’ crowning jewel, with the Pacing Championship set to double in prize money, with more than $1.2 million on offer – including a $1 million Final.
Click here for more information on the 2025 Queensland Constellations.
