WELCOME
to travel to Melbourne to compete on the first Tuesday in November. International runners continue to be an important part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup, and this year we have some exciting international stars who've won their way in by securing a Golden Ticket guaranteed entry into Australia’s greatest race. The seven- year-old stayer Tawny Port from the USA secured his start in the Lexus Melbourne Cup after winning the two-mile Group 2 Belmont Golden Cup at Saratoga in New York. Daiquiri Bay and Defiantly delivered standout staying performances in Europe, winning the Ebor Handicap at York Racecourse and the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay at Deauville Racecourse respectively, to secure their Golden Tickets. While these international contenders have secured their place through the global Golden Ticket series, local hopefuls have also stamped their credentials on the road to the Lexus Melbourne Cup through Flemington's qualifying races. Glen Thomson trained Whiskey On the Hill secured a Golden Ticket winning the Lexus Roy Higgins on 28 March, while the Grahame Begg trained Zakouma earned his place with victory in the Lexus Andrew Ramsden on 16 May. As the road to the Lexus Melbourne Cup continues a further six Golden Tickets remain on offer through the VRC Lexus Archer Stakes, the VRC Lexus Bart Cummings, the Geelong Cup, the MRC Caulfield Cup, the MVRC Moonee Valley Gold Cup and the MVRC Cox Plate. While we will see a new champion enter folklore this Carnival, it also gives us an opportunity to celebrate one of the biggest icons in Cup history, the legendary Phar Lap, who celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year. On August 1, we paid homage to the champion, naming the opening race day of the 2026-27 racing season in his honour and curating a special exhibition showcasing rare memorabilia, images and artefacts of the 1930 Cup winner. This exhibition will be on display in The Park at Flemington throughout the Melbourne Cup Carnival, so please make sure you take the time to view it when you're visiting Flemington. Momentum for the Carnival has been strong throughout the year, due in no small part to the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour, now in its 24th year. This year, the Cup will have
travelled to 37 destinations, many of them local communities right across Australia. This year, I had the privilege of attending Darwin, a very special visit, as this year's Lexus Melbourne Cup has been handcrafted using only Northern Territory gold, now valued at over $1 million. I will never cease being proud and amazed to see people's reactions when they see the Cup for the first time, it’s incredible to witness the impact the Cup has across our communities. What makes our Carnival truly unique is how we honour tradition while embracing what's new in fashion, entertainment and Victoria's culinary scene. This year, we've announced new partnerships with Asahi Beverages and Lucas Collective, bringing new offerings to everyone at Flemington, from General Admission through to Members and the Birdcage. Fashions on the Field has also been extended by a day, commencing on TAB Turnbull Stakes Day, with the winner going straight through to the final on Oaks Day. The Melbourne Cup Carnival will once again unearth new heroes, deliver heart-stopping finishes, and produce iconic moments etched in our memories and the history books forever. We cannot wait to see the world's best horses, jockeys, trainers and breeders converge on Flemington to contend for eight Group 1 titles and more than $32 million in prizemoney. On behalf of the VRC Board and the committed, and very talented VRC team, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal VRC members, racing participants, commercial partners, Racing Victoria, the Victorian Government, the media, and, of course, the 300,000 racegoers we expect to welcome over the course of this year’s Carnival. Enjoy all the action, colour and excitement Cup Week has to offer. It truly is a special time in Melbourne, and I know the eyes of Australia and the world will be watching and celebrating every moment with you. I look forward to welcoming you to Flemington.
I t is widely acknowledged that few sporting events carry the prestige and history quite like the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Each spring, that history comes alive again at Flemington, as tradition, fashion, entertainment, and some of the world's finest horse racing is conducted across four unforgettable race days as the next edition of Australia’s original major event unfolds For one week each spring, Melbourne plays host to the world, with our city becoming the backdrop while centre stage is reserved for the finest equine and human athletes to grace the turf, all vying for some of the most coveted titles and trophies in Australia and the world. Last year, we saw crowds of over 286,000 come to Flemington across the four days, with attendance in the 18-29 age bracket reaching its highest level since 2015. In addition to the exciting racing across four days, the Carnival plays a key role as an economic driver both here in Victoria and throughout Australia. In 2025, the Carnival generated a record $533 million of Gross Economic Benefit in Victoria, supporting local jobs and industries such as fashion, hospitality and travel. We know it is not just Victoria or Australia that celebrates our Carnival, the Lexus Melbourne Cup is renowned across the world. This year, we celebrate 20 years since Delta Blues became the first Japanese horse to win the Lexus Melbourne Cup, famously holding off his stablemate Pop Rock by the smallest of margins. The one-two finish was a significant moment in Japanese horse racing and paved the way for a new generation of contenders
Neil Wilson Chairman
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