The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most famous horse race, a premier long- distance race held annually at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. It is traditionally run on the first Tuesday of November and is widely known as “the race that stops a nation” due to its cultural significance and the attention it draws across the country. The event is a 3,200-meter (about 2 miles) handicap race open to horses aged three years and older, and it forms the centerpiece of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. Key points
- History: The race began in 1861, making it one of the oldest and most prestigious horse races in the world. Archer won the inaugural event, helping establish the Cup’s enduring legacy.
- Status and prize: It is the richest handicap race in Australia and is among the world’s most valuable turf races, attracting top stayers from around the globe. The prize money has grown substantially over the years, reinforcing its status in international racing circles.
- Format and timing: The Cup is a Group 1 event conducted under handicap conditions, with the distance historically around two miles but officially 3,200 meters since Australia’s metrication in 1972. The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) oversees Cup Week at Flemington, culminating in the Melbourne Cup race itself.
- Cultural impact: The Melbourne Cup has become a defining part of Melbourne and Australian culture, with Cup Day often treated as a public/half-holiday in Victoria and a nationally observed sporting and social occasion.
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