Owners flock through the gates at VOBRD

The 2026 Victorian Owners and Breeders Raceday (VOBRD) proved a resounding success, with a bumper crowd, outstanding racing and a strong show of support from the ownership community highlighting its importance on the racing calendar.

Delivered through a collaborative effort between Racing Victoria (RV), the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) and Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV), this year’s event produced some memorable moments on the track, none more so than Big Wigs carrying the famous colours of the late great Makybe Diva to victory in the $1 million VOBIS Platinum Showdown (1200m).

The healthy crowd in attendance for the 12th edition of the annual celebration of Victorian owners and breeders reflects a targeted effort to drive awareness and engagement through Racing.com, SEN, social media and RV’s Owners News platform.

At its core, VOBRD is about recognising and celebrating the vital role owners and breeders play in the sport, and the 2026 edition was rich with memorable stories that showcased the diversity and passion of Victoria’s ownership base.

Importantly, the raceday welcomed all owners, whether they had a runner engaged or not. Owners simply attended using their Victorian Racehorse Owners’ Gold Card, which provided access to the Members’ Reserve along with four complimentary guest passes.

Owners with a runner were also treated to a complimentary beverage in further reward for their involvement on the day.

A suite of exclusive experiences added to the appeal of the event, including the opportunity to walk the track prior to the first race. 140 owners and MRC members also attended a trackwork breakfast on the Tuesday before VOBRD, where they enjoyed a front-row view of early morning gallops and gained insights into the preparation of some of the day’s key contenders.

Equine welfare remained a key focus on the day, with an interactive Equine Welfare Hub providing attendees with greater insight into life beyond racing. In partnership with Living Legends, the hub featured a number of retired stars of the turf, including multiple Group winner So Si Bon and Caulfield Cup hero Fawkner, alongside Off The Track competitor Hard Press.

Fans also had the opportunity to engage with key industry figures, with So Si Bon’s former co-trainer Ben Hayes and leading jockey Luke Nolen joining attendees for photo opportunities and discussions around the care and transition of retired racehorses.

The success of this year’s Victorian Owners and Breeders Raceday reinforces the importance of continued collaboration across the industry to recognise and reward ownership.

With strong attendance, positive sentiment and meaningful engagement across all aspects of the day, VOBRD continues to play an important role in strengthening the connection between owners and the sport.