The Melbourne Cup Festival is a premiere sporting event and is also the world’s largest outdoor fashion event.
It was created in 1861 to rival the Victoria Jockey Club, but the festival took off to be the biggest racing event that attracts the best horses from all over the world.
This significant event is a public holiday in the Melbourne CBD. The whole city comes to a standstill for the “race that stops a nation”.
Melbourne Cup Festival: Significant Prizes
The 3200 meter race takes place at the Flemington Racecourse. There are three grandstands that can hold as much as 120,000 spectators. The significant prizes are estimated to be up to a whopping $6,000,000. The grand winner is set to take home as much as $3,000,000 and a golden trophy which is worth over $120,000.
Melbourne Cup Festival: Dress to Impress
The Melbourne Cup Festival is more than just a horse race. The venue has a carnival atmosphere where you can dress fashionably and drink champagne while watching the race. You might want to put on your best dress for the event as there are also many prizes at stake for those who will be awarded “best dressed”.
Flowers are also an important symbol in this event. There are rose beds significantly abundant in the Flemington Racecourse where the event is annually celebrated. The yellow rose is the symbol of the cup so be sure that you buy one and wear it with your dress.
Flemington’s Week of Fun: Schedule of Events
There are four unique race days throughout the festival:
Victoria Derby Day
This is the kickoff race of the festival. Considered to be the best thoroughbred racing, it features nine races of which four are at the elite Group 1 level. It is also the commencement of Myer Fashions of the Field. You should take note that the official flower of this meeting is the blue cornflower.
Melbourne Cup Day
This is the most exciting day of the festival. The Emirates Airlines is the principal sponsor of the event and the Emirates Melbourne Cup Day is the focal point of the race where the most coveted prizes are given away.
This is also the day where you should wear your best attire. Make sure that you pin on a yellow rose to go with it.
Oaks Day
Oaks Day is all about the phillies. No not the horses, the women and their penchant for fashion. Stylish women from all ages can show off their signature style. The winner of the Fashion of the Fields will also be announced on this day. You should also remember to wear a pink rose as it is the official flower of Oaks Day. When the women are out in force, it is not a surprise that Oaks Day is often referred to as Bloke’s Day as well!
Stakes Day
This is the culminating event of the whole festival. This is traditionally known as the family day of racing. It features two Group 1 classics the Victoria’s Premier 1600m event and the 1200m Patinack Farm Classic. Your kids might want to tag along and wear their cutest outfits to celebrate Fashion of the Fields for children. Remember to finish off your outfits with a red rose.
The festival is a fully ticketed event where you will need to secure a ticket beforehand.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
Melbourne Cup and the other Flemington horse races are a wonderful event.
Definitely part of the great, big fun of being in Melbourne!
