Only here does spring mean the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival. Where horses have a special place in every Victorian’s heart. Where we’re doing everything possible to keep them safe when they race during the Carnival.
Spanning over three months of races across the state, the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival features the Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup, the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, the Lexus Melbourne Cup along with 27 Country Cups. All our equine athletes are individually examined by a vet before the three major races, and every starter is CT-scanned before the Melbourne Cup to reduce the risk of injury.
During and after racing, we’re doing everything possible to keep our athletes safe ensuring they have fulfilling careers on and off the track. It’s only here we do racing quite like this. That’s because there is nothing else, nowhere else quite like the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival.
Only here have we partnered with three leading equine centres to subsidise access to advanced diagnostic imaging, with the aim of minimising the risk of injury using early detection and intervention.
Read more about the program
In what is believed to be a world-first initiative, all horses – international and local – must undergo a CT scan of their distal limbs before being permitted to compete in the Melbourne Cup.
Learn more about the panel of experts appointed
Our dedicated vets check every every horse before the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate. From the moment they step onto the course, to the time they leave for the day, they are monitored closely.
Learn more about our vet’s race responsibilities
Following a review into injuries sustained by international horses during spring, the RV Board endorsed 41 recommendations centred on reducing the risk of injury during the Carnival.
Learn more about the findings & recommendations
Learn more about the mighty Chautauqua's successful transition from star of the track to show horse. Chautauqua made his equestrian debut in February 2021.
Read more
We have created the Off The Track Community to track and monitor retired racehorses after their careers on the track. We also support a statewide network of over 50 Acknowledged Retrainers.
Find out more about our retrainers
The ‘RESET Program’ was introduced in 2020 with the aim of helping retired racehorses that have struggled to transition to a second career find their perfect home.
Learn more about the RESET program
Our Off The Track program facilitates the placement of retired racehorses into second careers. Many go on to become show horses, companion and therapy horses.
Learn more about Off The Track
Since January 2020, the Victorian racing industry has directed $10 million to delivering its equine welfare action plan. Of that investment, two per cent has been contributed via prizemoney allocation, with the balance coming directly from Racing Victoria funds. A further $15 million is anticipated to be spent on the equine welfare action plan over the next 18 months as we expand upon the initiatives progressed since the start of 2020 and the roll out of new programs.
Read the full update
You won’t miss a minute of the action with Racing.com on free-to-air digital television (Channel 68/78), Foxtel (Channel 529), Kayo or through the Racing.com website.
Watch live on Racing.com
Catch all the premium spring action live and free on free-to-air TV. Check the Freeview guide to see when races will air in your state on Seven, 7TWO, 7Plus and Channel 10.
View Freeview guide
Tune in to RSN 927AM if you’re in Victoria for live coverage of the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival. You can also listen via the RSN app or online via the RSN website.
Listen now
Keep up to date with the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival across our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok profiles.
Entries open at 6pm Friday, 15 October 2021 AEST and close at 6pm Sunday, 17 October 2021
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