Waller v Maher: Wins and prize money this spring

One of the ongoing questions posed in racing circles is: Chris Waller or Ciaron Maher - who is a better trainer?

It’s difficult to make a judgment call given the power of both of these ‘super’ stables.

Waller has won the last 16… that’s right, 16, Sydney metro trainer premierships.

Maher has won the past six Melbourne metro trainer premierships.

They often clash in both Sydney and Melbourne in all the major races. Sometimes they even go head-to-head elsewhere around the country.

To get a gauge of how the two stables are tracking, we’ve done a deep dive on their recent numbers.

We’ve taken a look at this spring only:
(Most midweek and provincial meetings have not been included).

• Caulfield Guineas Day and Hill Stakes meeting at Rosehill (October 10)
• Caulfield Social Wednesday meeting (October 14)
• Caulfield Cup and Everest Days (October 17)
• Geelong Cup Day (October 21)
• Cox Plate and Spring Champion Stakes days (October 24)
• Derby Day and Golden Eagle (October 31)
• Melbourne Cup and Big Dance days (November 3)
• Oaks Day (November 5)
• Champions Day and Five Diamonds Day (November 7)

Waller has had a total of 143 runners for 22 winners (six Group 1s), 31 placings and $24,908,200 in prize money. (Average prize of $174k per runner).

Maher had had a total of 141 runners for 15 winners (five Group 1s), 26 placings and $23,096,450 in prize money. (Average prize of $163k per runner).

The numbers are both extraordinary and remarkably similar.

In terms of prize money, Maher was narrowly on top ahead of Champions Day, boosted by Tempted’s $7m Everest and Point Of Law’s $4.5m Melbourne Cup windfalls.

Waller’s biggest win was $2.95m from Autumn Glow in the King Charles while Joliestar’s third in the Everest ranked second best at $2m. His total of $3.6m combined for Autumn Glow’s Champions Mile and Birdman’s Champions Stakes win put him front after Saturday.

If we want to truly compare the pair, we need to remember that Waller has now trained 27 Group 1 winners this calendar year to date. Aidan O’Brien’s world record sits at 28. Waller has a handful more G1 chances in 2026, including the CF Orr at Sandown with the likes of Beiwacht and Angel Capital.

Maher has won 10 G1s in 2026. He trained the Melbourne Cup trifecta - which had never previously been done - but on overall numbers Waller still has to be on top. Narrowly.

The prize money totals above don’t go to the trainers/stables. They generally get about 10% of it.

But that’s well over $2m for the Maher stable and now more than $2.4m for the Waller stable. In a month. Decent going.

Maher’s dominance is certainly beginning to emulate Waller’s, but the New Zealand native still has his bib in front.