There are many horse racing events held in Australia over the year and while some are more popular than others, they all have their own sense of thrill and excitement. Here are some of the most popular races on the Australian calendar.
The Everest
The Everest is the richest horse race in Australia with current prize money of $15,000,000 which is held at the Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney. It is the feature race of the Sydney Spring Carnival which is held in October annually. The Everest is a relatively new addition to the horseracing calendar, with the first one being run in 2017 and won by Redzel, who also won the following year. The distance of the race is 1200 metres and is on a turf track. There are plenty of enclosures and marquees racegoers can choose from to watch the race with a large array of gourmet food and drink available. The Spring Fashion Stakes are also in effect during the Carnival.
Caulfield Cup
The Caulfield Cup is a Group 1 thoroughbred race at the Caulfield Racecourse. It is a 2400 metre turf race with impressive prize money of $5,000,000. The event was first run in 1859 and won by Newminster. This race is a great lead up to the Melbourne Cup as there have been several double winners of this race together with the Melbourne Cup including Poseidon (1906), The Trump (1937), Let’s Elope (1991) and Ethereal (2001). So, if you want a taste of what to expect at the Melbourne Cup this race is one of the most important ones to watch.
The Melbourne Cup
Being first run in 1861, ‘the race that stops the nation’ is the biggest horseracing event on the annual calendar. It occurs during the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington Racecourse and is run on the first Tuesday in November every year. The Melbourne Cup is one of the richest horse races in Australia with a purse of $8,000,000. Each year, thousands of people flock to Flemington to watch the main race which is always on at 3pm AEST. Be sure to check out Sportsbet’s Melbourne Cup tips to get the best chance of picking a winner on the day.
VRC Oaks Day
Also known as Ladies Day, this prestigious 2500 metre turf race is held at Flemington Racecourse on the Thursday after the Melbourne Cup and offers prize money of $1,000,000. This Group 1 race was first to run in 1861 and was won by the racehorse Palestine. The most recent winner was in 2020 by 3-year-old filly, Personal. All the facilities during the Carnival are available with marquees dotted along the track. Fashion is an important part of Oaks Day with the annual ‘Fashions on the Field’ held during the day.
W.S. Cox Plate
The Cox Plate occurs a week after the Caulfield Cup at The Moonee Valley racecourse at Moonee Ponds. This race also has prize money of $5,000,000 and is considered one of the ‘big three’ of Australian Horseracing along with the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup. The race is 2040 metres on turf with the race going anti-clockwise on the course. Legendary racehorse Winx has been the most successful in this race, winning four years in a row (2015 – 2018).
Whether you attend one or attend them all, these are Australia’s most prestigious horse races. Experiencing the sound of the horses thundering down the track is something not to be missed.
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