Spring Racing Carnival set to blossom for Victoria 

The Victorian Spring Racing Carnival, one of Australia’s largest major events, officially commences this weekend and will again bring together communities across the state and visitors from afar to enjoy spectacular racing, hospitality, fashion and fun.

Victoria’s Spring Racing Carnival is home to the most watched, wagered and attended race meetings in Australia and the scene is set for another huge three months of action from Flemington to Manangatang and everywhere in between.

The 2025 carnival drew over 600,000 people trackside with significant growth in under 35-year-old and female attendees, and early ticket sales for the carnival’s headline racedays suggests that interest will again be high in 2026.

Record prizemoney for the 150th edition of the Sportsbet Caulfield Cup (2400m), a first Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) held at Flemington and the running of Australia’s most famous race, the Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m), are just some of the most eagerly anticipated highlights.

Away from the bright lights of the city, 26 country cup meetings will swell the population of townships for days, whilst connecting locals for major social events in some stunning locations. 

From significant regional hubs like Bendigo and Geelong to once-a-year meetings at iconic venues like Dunkeld and Mt. Wycheproof, the carnival’s impact will be felt across all corners of the state with $785 million in economic activity generated annually for Victoria.

It all kicks off in style with a mouthwatering renewal of the Stow Storage Memsie Stakes (1400m) – the first of 22 Group 1 races held during the carnival – at Caulfield this Saturday, 29 August.

Cult hero Mr Brightside, crowd favourite Jimmysstar and defending Memsie champion Treasurethe Moment are among the headline horses set to launch a revamped carnival this weekend.

An extensive redevelopment of Moonee Valley Racecourse will give this year’s carnival a unique feel, as Caulfield, Flemington and Sportsbet Sandown all take on additional hosting duties. 

Flemington has hosted 165 previous editions of the $10.2 million Melbourne Cup, but for the first time in 2026 the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) will add Australasia’s weight-for-age championship to its schedule as the $6 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate switches venues from its traditional home on Saturday, 24 October. 

Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day at Flemington will also feature the final golden ticket into the Lexus Melbourne Cup with the $750,000 Group 2 Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) set to feature on an historic day.

The week prior, Caulfield will stage its flagship event when the Caulfield Cup – which this year will be worth $6 million plus trophies – headlines an all black-type program. 

In the countdown to the 17 October celebration, Caulfield will take centre stage on AFL Grand Final weekend when it hosts the relocated Group 1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) on Sunday, 27 September.

Sportsbet Sandown’s increased role this carnival will see it conduct its first Group 1 meeting since 2023 when the Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) hosts the Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes (1000m) on Saturday, 5 September.

The venue will also host a pair of transferred November feature meetings while Caulfield undergoes a track renovation after its Cup meeting, including a supercharged program on Saturday, 14 November featuring both the Group 1 Sportsbet C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) and repositioned Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m).

With clubs planning an array of event experiences, racegoers will be treated to off-track entertainment every bit as good as the action on the track including global music icon Robbie Williams who will perform at Lexus Melbourne Cup Day (Tuesday, 3 November) and superstar DJ and producer FISHER who returns for TAB Champions Stakes Day (Saturday, 7 November) at Flemington.

The Spring Racing Carnival concludes with the running of Australia’s longest and most unique flat race, the Jericho Cup (4600m), at Warrnambool on Sunday, 29 November. 

Quotes attributable to Racing Victoria Chief Executive, Aaron Morrison

“The Spring Racing Carnival is a major cultural and economic asset for Victoria bringing together communities and driving investment in our state. It not only showcases elite racing, it shines a spotlight on Melbourne and an array of wonderful townships across the regions.

“Our Spring Racing Carnival is home to the most watched, wagered and attended race meetings in Australia and in the months ahead we’re looking to continue the growth in audiences and engagement that Victorian racing has enjoyed across recent years.

“The Spring Racing Carnival is built on rich heritage that has stood the test of time. Every spring creates new heroes, from champion racehorses and jockeys to trainers, stable staff and owners who fulfill lifelong dreams. We also see friendships rekindled trackside as people emerge from winter, dress up, enjoy brilliant raceday experiences and hospitality, and just have some fun.

“This year’s Spring Racing Carnival offers a new look with The Valley under reconstruction. There is enormous anticipation for the first Cox Plate at Flemington prior to Melbourne Cup Week, while the relocated Manikato Stakes at Caulfield is going to cap off a huge AFL Grand Final weekend in Melbourne.

“We’re also celebrating the 150th edition of the Caulfield Cup, an iconic Australian handicap that will feature record prizemoney of $6 million to commemorate the occasion. Caulfield is where the carnival begins with what is shaping to be one of the strongest editions of the Group 1 Memsie Stakes in history. 

“We’re equally excited about the 26 country cups that will take us to all corners of Victoria this spring and drive investment into the regions. For many of our regional communities, the local Cup is one of the biggest days of the year and part of their fabric, bringing together volunteers, businesses, families and visitors.

“As always, the welfare of every horse and jockey competing across the carnival is at the forefront of our minds. Five years ago, we introduced world leading safety standards for the Melbourne Cup and other premier races with positive outcomes, and we will be maintaining our veterinary protocols again this year.”

To learn more about the 2026 Spring Racing Carnival and view a full calendar of race meetings visit www.thisishowwespring.com.au