Spring Racing Carnival

The race that stops a nation is almost here! Victoria’s Spring Racing Carnival is undoubtedly Australia’s biggest sporting event - a real celebration covering 50 days of world-class metropolitan and country racing. Held at all of Melbourne's Metropolitan Race Courses, including Flemington, Moonee Valley, Caufield and Sandown, it culminates in the famous Melbourne Cup and is a real feast for any racing fan. But there’s so much more to Spring Racing Carnival than that, both on and off the turf.

Racecourses across the state of Victoria are buzzing with the Spring Racing Carnival, which is well underway now and until 18 November. Last year more than 758,000 people - including 93,847 from interstate or overseas – flocked to the Carnival and this year’s event is set to be bigger and better than ever.

It’s no surprise when you consider that this event is truly unique. Each country club puts on a race day that is different to the next and there are 20 Country Cups at venues such as Ararat, Avoca, Ballarat, Benalla, Bendigo, Cranbourne, Donald, Dunkeld, Geelong, Kyneton, Mansfield, Manangatang, Moe, Murtoa, Sale, Seymour and Mt. Whycheproof. Highlights are of course the BMW Caulfield Cup at Caulfield, Tatts Cox Plate at Moonee Valley and the famous Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

But it’s not just the four-legged friends that attract all the attention. Luxury and glamour are as much a part of the Carnival as the racing and there are fashion shows, gourmet meals and a vibrant mix of events to enjoy at the various race days, making Victoria’s Spring Racing Carnival one of the highlights of the Australian sporting year.