Vic horse racing

Racing Australia is the national industry body representing Thoroughbred racing in Australia. Australian Horse Racing results, Horse Racing Materials. The owner of Pride Of Jenni was taken aback by Ciaron Maher's response when he raised the idea of training the freak mare for the Melbourne Cup. SYDNEY. The $4m showpiece of Victoria's Festival of Racing is the only feature race rotated around Melbourne's vic horse racing premier racetracks in Flemington, Caulfield and The. Your complete guide to Australian and international horse racing tracks. We provide an in-depth overview of the racetrack including virtual tour.

The Exciting World of Victorian Horse Racing

Victorian horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates fans around the globe with its blend of speed, strategy, and sheer excitement. From the iconic racecourses to the talented jockeys and magnificent thoroughbreds, the sport continues to push the boundaries of what is possible on the track.

Elite Competitions and Unforgettable Moments

With a rich history dating back centuries, Victorian horse racing boasts a legacy of elite competitions and unforgettable moments. Each race is a test of skill and determination, with participants vying for glory and the chance to etch their names into the annals of racing history.

Breeding Champions and Setting Records

Behind every champion horse is a dedicated team of breeders, trainers, and owners working tirelessly to nurture their potential. The pursuit of excellence drives these individuals to push the boundaries of the sport, setting new records and thrilling fans with each breathtaking performance.

The Thrill of the Race

As the thunder of hooves echoes across the track and the crowd roars in anticipation, the true essence of Victorian horse racing comes to life. Every race is a spectacle of speed, skill, and sheer determination, with only the best emerging victorious in the end.

A Global Phenomenon

While rooted in tradition, Victorian horse racing has evolved into a global phenomenon, attracting fans and competitors from all corners of the world. The sport's universal appeal transcends borders and cultures, uniting people in their shared love for the thrill of the race.

Racing Towards the Future

As Victorian horse racing continues to evolve and grow, one thing remains certain – the spirit of competition and passion for the sport will never waver. With each race, new champions will be crowned, and new legends will be born, ensuring that the legacy of Victorian horse racing lives on for generations to come.

Today's Racing

Caulfield Guineas Prelude. Scarborough Stakes. Sandown Stakes. The Bart Cummings. Northwood Plume Stakes. Ladies Day Vase. Coongy Cup. Moonga Stakes. Ethereal Stakes. Caulfield Classic. Geelong Cup. JRA Cup. Red Anchor Stakes. Tesio Stakes. Bendigo Cup. Vic horse racing Rising Fast Stakes.

Furphy Sprint. Lexus Archer Stakes. Carbine Club Stakes. Maribyrnong Plate. Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes. Ottawa Stakes. Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Blue Sapphire Stakes. How Now Stakes. Thoroughbred Club Stakes. Eclipse Stakes. Summoned Stakes. Kevin Heffernan Stakes. Standish Handicap.

Manfred Stakes. Blue Diamond Preview Fillies. Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes. Carlyon Cup. Peter Le Grand Stakes. The Vanity. Frances Tressady Stakes. CS Hayes Stakes. Zeditave Stakes. Mannerism Stakes. Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap. Matron Stakes. Alexandra Stakes. Don Casboult Classic.

Easter Cup. Victoria Handicap. Mornington Cup. Hareeba Stakes. Mornington Guineas. Mornington Sires. VRC St Leger. Anzac Day Stakes. The Showdown. Brierly Steeplechase. Wangoom Handicap. Qld betting Galleywood Hurdle. Warrnambool Cup. Grand Annual Steeplechase. Casterton Cup. Andrew Ramsden Stakes. The Straight Six. The Australian Hurdle.

The Australian Steeplechase. Golden Topaz. Swan Hill Cup. AR Creswick Stakes. Winter Championship Series Final. Taj Rossi Series Final. Next Generation Sprinters Series Final. Silver Bowl Series Final. Mahogany Challenge Final. Banjo Paterson Series Final. Leilani Series Final. Jack Maher Classic. Flemington Cup.

Byerley Handicap. Mildura Cup. Vic horse racing Grand National Hurdle. Crisp Steeplechase. Regal Roller Stakes. Grand National Steeplechase. Carlyon Stakes. Heatherlie Stakes. Atlantic Jewel Stakes. Exford Plate. The Sofitel. Poseidon Stakes. McKenzie Stakes. Jim Moloney Stakes. Testa Rossa Stakes. Benalla Cup.

Coleraine Cup. RM Ansett Classic. Super Impose Stakes. Paris Lane Stakes. Maribyrnong Trial Stakes. Pinker Pinker Plate. Weekend Hussler Stakes. Hamilton Cup. Debutant Stakes. Moe Cup. Gothic Stakes. Alinghi Stakes. Avoca Cup. Seymour Cup. Horsham Cup. Geelong Classic.

Chautauqua Stakes. Crockett Stakes. Inglis Banner. St Arnaud Cup. Sale Cup. Wycheproof Cup. Mortlake Cup. Peninsula Cup. Furphy Plate. Desirable Stakes. TAB Trophy. Schweppervescence Plate. Subzero Handicap. Kyneton Cup. Century Stakes. TCL Trophy. Red Roses Stakes. Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final.

Inglis Bracelet. Cirka Trophy. Good Friday Appeal Trophy. Always Welcome Stakes. The Amanda Elliott. World Horse Racing Grand Handicap. Australian Childhood Foundation Trophy. Ararat Cup. Ararat Bowl. Caulfield Village Stakes. Dunkeld Cup. Donald Cup. Cranbourne Cup. Tatura Cup. Apache Cat Classic. Penshurst Cup. Kilmore Cup.

Wodonga Cup. Twilight Glow Stakes. Doveton Stakes. Merson Cooper Stakes. Jericho Cup. Traralgon Cup. Ballarat Cup. The limitation of 24 starters is stated explicitly to be for safety reasons. However, in the past far larger numbers were allowed — the largest field ever raced was 39 runners in International horses except from New Zealand entering Australia must undergo quarantine in an approved premises in their own country for a minimum period of 14 days before travelling to Australia.

Premises must meet the Australian Government Standards. The facility has stabling for up to 24 horses in five separate stable complexes and is located 32 km from the Melbourne CBD. The winner of the first Melbourne Cup in received a gold watch. The first Melbourne Cup trophy was awarded in and was an elaborate silver bowl on a stand that had been manufactured in England.

The first existing and un-altered Melbourne Cup is from , presented to the owners of The Barb ; as of , it is in the National Museum of Australia. They believed the work of a Melburnian, William Edwards, to be superior in both design and workmanship to the English-made trophy. No trophy was awarded to the Melbourne Cup winner for the next eight years.

In , Edward Fischer , an immigrant from Austria, produced the first Australian-made trophy. It was an Etruscan shape with two handles. One side depicted a horse race with the grandstand and hill of Flemington in the background. The opposite side had the words "Melbourne Cup, " and the name of the winning horse. The last Melbourne Cup trophy manufactured in England was made for the event.

It was a chalice centred on a long base which had a horse at each end. The trophy awarded in , [18] the first gold trophy, was a three-legged, three-armed rose bowl. The three-handled loving cup design was first awarded in In that year, the Victorian Racing Club had commissioned James Steeth to design a trophy that would be in keeping with the prestige of the race, little realising that it would become the iconic Melbourne Cup still presented today.

A new trophy is struck each year and becomes the property of the winning owner. In the event of a dead heat, a second cup is on hand. The present trophy is hand spun from 1. In , an annual tour of the Melbourne Cup trophy was initiated to provide communities across Australia and New Zealand with an opportunity to view the Cup trophy and highlight the contribution the Melbourne Cup has made to Australia's social, sporting and racing culture.

Each year, communities in Australia and New Zealand apply for the cup to tour their community and the tour also takes in cities around the world as part of the Victoria Racing Club's strategy to promote the Melbourne Cup and the Melbourne Cup Carnival internationally. The Tour has visited schools and aged-care and hospital facilities, and participated in community events and celebrations including race days across Australia and New Zealand.

Frederick Standish , member of the Victorian Turf Club and steward on the day of the first Cup, [23] was credited with forming the idea to hold a horse race and calling it the "Melbourne Cup". A large crowd of 4, men and women watched the race, although it has been suggested this was less than expected because of news reaching Melbourne of the death of explorers Burke and Wills [23] five days earlier on 2 November.

Nevertheless, the attendance was the largest at Flemington on any day for the past two years, with the exception of the recently run Two Thousand Guinea Stakes. The winner of this first Melbourne Cup race was a As a lessee de Mestre owned and was fully responsible for Archer during the lease.

The inaugural Melbourne Cup of was an eventful affair when one horse bolted before the start, and three of the seventeen starters fell during the race, two of which died. Archer, a Sydney outsider who drew scant favour in the betting, spread-eagled the field and defeated the favourite, and Victorian champion, Mormon by six lengths. Dismissed by the bookies, Archer took a lot of money away from Melbourne, 'refuelling interstate rivalry' and adding to the excitement of the Cup.

However, newspaper archives of the day reveal that he had travelled south from Sydney to Melbourne on the steamboat City of Melbourne , together with de Mestre, and two of de Mestre's other horses Exeter and Inheritor. Archer travelled to Melbourne by steamboat again the following year to run in the second Melbourne Cup.

He defeated a field of twenty starters by eight lengths, a record that has never been beaten, and that was not matched for over years. Mormon again running second. Winning the Melbourne Cup twice was a feat not repeated until more than seventy years later when Peter Pan won the race in and , and winning the Melbourne Cup two years in a row was a feat not repeated until more than 30 years later when Rain Lover won in and Archer travelled to Melbourne by steamboat yet again the next year Despite his weight of 11 stone 4 pounds, Archer would have contested the third cup in , but due to a Victorian public holiday trainer Etienne de Mestre's telegraphed acceptance form arrived late, and Archer was scratched on a technicality.

In protest of this decision and in a show of solidarity, many of de Mestre's owners boycotted the third race and scratched their horses in sympathy. Two years later in two horses with the name Tim Whiffler ran in the Melbourne Cup. The year before in two horses with the same name, Falcon, also ran in the Melbourne Cup.

As early as , Cup day was a half-holiday in Melbourne for public servants and bank officials. Various businesses also closed at lunchtime. It took some years before the purpose of the declared holiday was acknowledged in the Victoria Government Gazette. The Gazette of 31 October announced that the following Thursday Cup Day be observed as a bank and civil public service holiday.

The Melbourne Cup was first run on a Tuesday in , the first Tuesday in that month. In at the recorded age thirteen he was actually twelve, being 8 days short of his thirteenth birthday , [39] Peter St Albans is also the youngest person ever to win a Melbourne Cup. Before 75, at Flemington Briseis, with St Albans in the saddle, comfortably won by 1 length in the biggest field of all time.

Briseis, ridden by what one writer termed a mere child, in the Cup captured a rare double, the Victoria Race Club Derby and the Melbourne Cup. Shouts and hurrahs were heard, hats were thrown in the air and one excited individual fell on his back in the attempt to do a somersault. The boy who rode the winner was carried around the pack and is the hero of the day," reported the "Australasian Sketcher" in Both Peter St Albans and Briseis have now become racing legends, and Briseis is regarded as one of the greatest mares foaled in Australia.

Briseis wasn't the only sensation surrounding the Melbourne Cup. Two months before the event, on Saturday 9 September, the City of Melbourne sailed for Melbourne from Sydney with a cargo including 13 racehorses, many of whom were considered serious contenders for the Melbourne Cup. The following day the ship ran into a savage storm and was hit by several rogue waves, with Nemesis the winner of the AJC Metropolitan Handicap in Randwick, Sydney and favourite for the Cup, owned by John Moffat and Robin Hood another favourite, owned by Etienne de Mestre being among the 11 horses that were killed.

To the dismay and anger of the public, bookmakers, showing no feeling, presented a purse loaded with coins to the captain as token of their appreciation for his part in saving them many thousands of pounds in bets already laid on the favourites who had perished. Perhaps they should have kept their money, however. The outsider Briseis comfortably won by 1 length in the biggest field of all time and in an extremely good time, so it is unlikely that the horses who perished could have beaten her.

James White. In , as in previous years, De Mestre fielded more than one horse. He entered the favourite Firebell owned by W. Cox who finished last, Chester owned by Hon. James White the previous year's winner who fell, and Calamia owned by de Mestre who, though less fancied, won easily [41] by two lengths.

De Mestre's win with Calamia brought to 5 the number of Melbourne Cups he had won. Bart Cummings, regarded as the best Australian horse trainer of all time, went on to win 12 Melbourne Cups to He had to be hidden away at Geelong before the race after an attempt was made to shoot him and only emerged an hour before the race time of the Cup.

There are a few legends of the first Aboriginal jockey to ride in a Melbourne Cup. It was believed to be John Cutts who won the first and second cups in and riding archer. He was reputedly an Aboriginal stockman born in the area where Archer was trained but was actually John 'Cutts' Dillon, the son of a Sydney clerk, a jockey who rode for many trainers in his long career, and who was one of the best known, best-liked and most respected jockeys in New South Wales.

Because St Albans was not quite 13 years old, the jockey was too young to ride in the cup. Thus, to allow him to race Briseis in the Cup, it was argued his birthdate and parents were unknown, and from this, the legend of him being Aboriginal grew. The race has undergone several alterations in recent years, the most visible being the entry of many foreign-trained horses.

Most have failed to cope with the conditions; the three successful "foreign raids" include two by Irish trainer Dermot K. Weld successful in and , [49] and one in [50] by Katsumi Yoshida of Japan 's renowned Yoshida racing and breeding family. The attraction for foreigners to compete was, primarily, the low-profile change to the new "quality handicap" weighting system.

The Melbourne Cup was won by Comedy King, the first foreign bred horse to do so. The Melbourne Cup was won by trainer Mrs. Allan McDonald , who conditioned Catalogue. Mrs McDonald was a successful trainer in New Zealand; [51] however, at the time, women were not allowed to compete as trainers in Australia, so her husband's name was officially recorded as the winning trainer.

She also won the Caulfield Cup , a 2,metre race also held in Melbourne, and therefore has won the "Cups Double". Maree Lyndon became the first female to ride in the Melbourne Cup, when she partnered Argonaut Style in , in which she ran second-last place in the horse field. In , Makybe Diva [55] [56] became the first mare to win two cups, and also the first horse to win with different trainers, after David Hall moved to Hong Kong and transferred her to the Lee Freedman stables.

The Melbourne Cup was held before a crowd of , Makybe Diva made history by becoming the only horse to win the race three times. Trainer Lee Freedman said after the race, "Go and find the youngest child on the course because that's the only person here who will have a chance of seeing this happen again in their lifetime.

Due to the Australian equine influenza outbreak , believed to have been started by a horse brought into Australia from Japan, neither Delta Blues nor Pop Rock participated in the Melbourne Cup. Both horses had been stabled in Japan. Leica Falcon was ordained as the new staying star of Australian racing in when he ran fourth in both the Caulfield Cup and in Makybe Diva's famous third Melbourne Cup victory.

But serious leg injuries saw the horse not race for another 20 months. In , Damien Oliver returned from an eight-month ban, after betting against his own mount at a previous race meet, to win his 3rd Melbourne cup. The Melbourne Cup was overshadowed by recent news of the ill treatment of horses in the Australian racing industry, [58] [59] and by the pulling out of celebrities including Taylor Swift , [60] Megan Gale , [61] and X-Men actress Lana Condor.

The winning trophy contains 1. The cup is produced by W. Sanders , a sister division within Pallion and takes over hours to produce. Sanders has produced each Melbourne Cup from to present. Melbourne Cup day is a public holiday for all working within metropolitan Melbourne and some parts of regional Victoria , but not for some country Victorian cities and towns which hold their own spring carnivals.

For federal public servants it is also observed as a holiday in the entire state of Victoria, and from to also in the Australian Capital Territory known as Family and Community Day replacing Picnic Day. Many people from outside of Melbourne take a half or full day off work to celebrate the occasion. Many people feel that the day should be a national public holiday as sick leave is said to increase on the day and productivity wanes.

As early as , Cup Day was a half-holiday in Melbourne for public servants and bank officials. The Gazette of 31 October [81] announced that the following Thursday Cup Day be observed as a bank and civil public service holiday. The event is one of the most popular spectator events in Australia, with sometimes over , people in attendance, some dressed in traditional formal raceday wear and others in all manner of exotic and amusing costumes, attending the race.

The record crowd was , in Today the record at Flemington is held by the Victoria Derby when almost , attended. In , a limit was placed on the Spring Carnival attendance at Flemington Racecourse, and race-goers are now required to pre-purchase tickets. The popularity of the Melbourne Cup has been declining in recent years; every Melbourne Cup after since has seen a decline in attendance, with the Melbourne Cup's crowd of 81, the race's smallest in decades.

The requirement for elegant hats , and more recently the alternative of a fascinator , almost single-handedly keeps Melbourne's milliners in business. The miniskirt received worldwide publicity when model Jean Shrimpton wore a white shift version of one on Derby Day during Melbourne Cup week in Flowers, especially roses, are an important component of the week's racing at Flemington.

The racecourse has around 12, roses within its large expanse. Over varieties of the fragrant flower are nurtured by a team of up to 12 gardeners. Each of the major racedays at Flemington has an official flower. In the Melbourne metropolitan area, the race day has been a gazetted public holiday since , but around both Australia and New Zealand a majority of people watch the race on television and gamble, either through direct betting or participating in workplace cup "sweeps".

In , a betting agency claimed that 80 percent of the adult Australian population placed a bet on the race that year. It is commonly billed as The race that stops a nation , but it is more accurately The race that stops two nations , [] as many people in New Zealand, as well as Australia, pause to watch the race. Contents move to sidebar hide.

Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version. In other projects. Wikimedia Commons. Annual Thoroughbred horse race in Melbourne, Australia. For the greyhound race, see Melbourne Cup greyhounds. For the most recent race, see Melbourne Cup. This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section.

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