Australian Racing Museum Update

The history of Australian thoroughbred racing will be showcased more broadly with the announcement that the Australian Racing Museum (ARM) will end its exclusive tenancy at the Australian Sports Museum (ASM) in June 2026.

The ARM will adopt a diverse exhibition model that showcases racing’s rich history across a broader footprint, whilst retaining a presence for select items at the MCG-based ASM, including the horse racing interactive in its Game On gallery.

Items from the ARM’s diverse collection will be showcased across feature exhibitions at industry and third-party events such as the Government House Melbourne Cup Eve Reception, Call of the Card and Spring Racing Carnival Launch.

The ARM is also working with Racing Clubs to expand and enhance exhibitions at racetracks across Melbourne and beyond, with the flexibility to deliver more temporary exhibitions to align with key racing periods and events.

Planning has also commenced for collaborations with industry partners and community organisations to showcase historical racing items during peak periods and to celebrate unique milestones.

Beyond the ARM, Australian racing’s most famous exhibition remains at the Melbourne Museum where the legendary Phar Lap is on public display. This October marks 100 years since Phar Lap was born.

The change in approach will provide flexibility to showcase the ARM’s collection which includes over 30,000 items of which a small, curated selection has been on display at the ASM at any one time.

The ARM acknowledges and thanks the ASM who have been wonderful hosts of the ARM’s Horse Racing Gallery across the past 16 years and look forward to continuing a successful relationship through the racing items that remain on display at the ASM.

The ARM’s Horse Racing Gallery at the ASM will be open to visitors until Friday, 12 June 2026. For more information on the ASM, visit mcg.org.au/australian-sports-museum-mcg-tours