For almost two decades, Attwood Marshall Lawyers has proudly sponsored the Listed Silk Stocking race for fillies and mares traditionally held on Hollindale Stakes Day. As the day nears, we are gearing up for a great day trackside on Saturday 9th May at Gold Coast Turf Club. Legal Practice Director and racehorse breeder and owner, Jeff Garrett, explains why the firm continues to sponsor this important race and gives his top tips for the Stocking and the Hollindale.
The time-honoured Hollindale Stakes Raceday returns to Acquis Park Gold Coast on 9th May 2026, showcasing an outstanding program of feature black-type racing. The event came home to the Gold Coast in 2025 – after two years on the Sunshine Coast due to the GCTC’s multi-million-dollar redevelopment and subsequent weather issues.
It was formally part of the old Prime Minister’s Cup Race Day, but arguably, the better race to name the day has been settled upon with the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes. It has a rich history with champion race horses winning the feature race. It is hopefully headed to an elusive Group 1 upgrade.
The Queensland Racing Carnival runs from 2 May to 4 July 2026, featuring more than $28 million in prize money across 11 race meetings, headlined by nine million-dollar races and eight prestigious Group 1 features.
The Hollindale Stakes race day is a huge part of the Winter Racing Carnival in Queensland and is a crucial race fixture for the Gold Coast Turf Club.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers is proud to be a long-term sponsor of the Silk Stocking Race, having initially sponsored the event some 19 years ago. The Silk Stocking is a listed race for fillies and mares, run over 1,400m for a share of $160,000 in prize money.
The main aim for the connections in the race is to obtain the elusive “black type,” which comes from winning or placing in a listed or group stakes race. A “black type” entry in a mare’s pedigree has very positive implications for the mare as a future breeding proposition and improves the value of not only that mare, but the immediate family as well.
The mother, siblings, half-siblings, and even the extended family of the “black type” mare are immediately upgraded, so the Silk Stocking is a very sought-after race that consistently attracts the nation’s top trainers.
The Silk Stocking is a fantastic opportunity for local breeders to upgrade their filly or mare and race at the slightly longer distance of 1,400m right at the start of the Winter Carnival. The lure of black type, however, always draws a strong field – and winning any race in modern times requires all the planets aligned! The interstate trainers always ensure the contest in these races and this year is no exception.
The headline race for the day is the $500,000 Group 2 TAB A.D. Hollindale Stakes, which is run over 1,800m for horses aged three years and older.
This year’s field has shaped up as one of the highest-rated in the race’s history, with 2025 Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours set to kick off his Queensland campaign in the feature, joined by 2024 Cup winner Knights Choice. Multiple group 1 winner, Pride of Jenni, who narrowly ran 2nd in an exciting Group 1 Australian Cup, is in the field, as is the Group 2 winning Birdman which will ensure a genuine staying test. This might set it up for Half Yours to hit the line late.
The race has a wonderful history with high quality fields and has been won by champions such as Might and Power, Durbridge, Shogun Lodge, Danewin, and more recently, Zaaki, who won the race 3 times in succession.
More than $1.6 million in prizemoney will be on offer across the nine-race program, which includes seven black-type feature races.
We wish all runners good luck as they prepare for the day!
Tips for punters
Silk Stocking:
- Ten Deep;
- Pippie Beach;
- Tomato Toastie
Hollindale Stakes:
- Pride of Jenni;
- Half Yours;
- Birdman
Attwood Marshall Lawyers – Experts in Equine and Racing Law
Attwood Marshall Lawyers, established in 1946, has been a long-time corporate sponsor of the Gold Coast Turf Club and supporter of the local racing industry.
As one of the few law firms that practices in the niche field of Equine and Racing Law, the firm has a dedicated team who understand the industry and the ins-and-outs of owning a racehorse.
Whether you need assistance with stallion and racehorse syndications, appeals for jockeys and trainers, business structuring advice, taxation advice and ATO industry audits, or are involved in a horse ownership contract dispute, we can help.
Need advice? Please contact our Equine Law Department Manager, Georgia Trapp, on direct line 0498 499 122, email gtrapp@attwoodmarshall.com.au or free call 1800 621 071 at any time.
Our expert Equine and Racing Law team are available for appointments at all our office locations, at Coolangatta, Robina, Southport, Kingscliff, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne
