Victoria’s fabulous Festival of Racing set to build on spring success 

Buoyed by a record-breaking Melbourne Cup Carnival and soaring crowds across the holiday period, the spotlight will again shine on Victorian racing during the 2026 Festival of Racing when the stars of the turf are set to return from their summer holidays to chase $45 million in prizemoney and bonuses. 

With 38 Stakes contests up for grabs, this year’s Festival of Racing is set to continue racing’s renaissance and build on the success of the Spring Carnival when young racegoers flocked through the gates at meetings throughout Victoria to witness some of the country’s best horses and jockeys in action.

Commencing with Black Caviar Lightning Race Day at Flemington on Saturday, 14 February, the Festival of Racing is headlined by seven weekends of elite equine action with the state’s vibrant regional racing scene playing a key support role to the metropolitan action. 

Some of the sport’s most recognisable names, both horse and human, will bid to enhance their reputations during the Festival of Racing, with Team Freedmans’ sprinting sensation Tentyris and Clayton Douglas’ evergreen warrior Giga Kick set to face off in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) this weekend, while Ciaron Maher’s mighty mare Pride Of Jenni is targeting a second win in The All-Star Mile (1600m) on 7 March.

The Festival of Racing is perfect for all ages - warmer temperatures paired with a relaxed atmosphere - there’s an event for anyone to enjoy the excitement trackside.

A total of 11 Country Cups will be run and won across the six-week period away from the bright lights of the city, with country towns such as Towong and Bairnsdale to welcome thousands of visitors to their communities at their cup days.

The TAB Australian Cup (2000m) is one of nine Group 1 contests set to illuminate the Festival, with other highlights such as the Sportsbet Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), Howden Australian Guineas (1600m), Yulong Newmarket Handicap (1200m), All-Star Mile (1600m) and William Reid Stakes (1200m) also adorning Victorian racing’s second biggest carnival outside the spring. 

Due to Moonee Valley Racing Club’s extensive redevelopment, Caulfield will assume hosting duties of the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) on Saturday, 21 March where Ciaron Maher’s sprinting sensation Jimmysstar is planned to return to the races. 

That meeting comes one week after the 12th edition of Victorian Owners and Breeders Raceday on 14 March, an annual celebration of the state’s thoroughbred industry and Victorian-bred horses which offers over $3 million in prizemoney and bonus incentives. 

The Festival concludes with TAB Australian Cup Day at Flemington on Saturday, 28 March, when the time-honoured contest for the country’s best middle-distance horses brings the curtain down on the Festival of Racing. 

“Following a hugely successful Spring Racing Carnival which saw massive growth in engagement and healthy crowds at race days over the holiday season, we are excited to continue to showcase our sport and all the action it has to offer, when the Festival of Racing gets underway at Flemington on Black Caviar Lightning Race Day,” said Racing Victoria CEO, Aaron Morrison.

“The stars of the sport will be on show again and with many now-familiar names like Pride Of Jenni, Giga Kick and Treasurethe Moment set to be challenged for supremacy by up-and-coming talent such as Observer and Tentyris, the Festival of Racing promises to deliver storylines aplenty.      

“As always, Victoria’s regional racing will complement the Group 1 action, as communities right across Victoria come together to celebrate their Country Cup days. Offering a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere with off-track entertainment and local produce, country meetings are a wonderful way to get out of the city and support Victoria’s regional towns, many of whom have gone through some very tough times over the summer.”