On Saturday, 31st October 2026, Howden Victoria Derby Day launches a week of world-class racing at Flemington with a perfect blend of timeless style and equine brilliance.
Renowned for its black-and-white dress code, the day showcases the excitement of elite Group 1 racing alongside the glamour of the fashion stakes, creating an unforgettable experience for both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers.
Whether you’re enjoying top-tier hospitality or witnessing history unfold on the track, Derby Day promises moments of awe and excitement.
Fancy a gallop? Register your interest now to immerse yourself in the tradition, style, and racing excellence of this iconic event.
Saturday 31 October, 2026
Feature races
Group 1 Howden Victoria Derby (2500m)
Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m)
Group 1 TAB Empire Rose Stakes (1600m)
6:00PM
Australian rock icons ICEHOUSE open the Melbourne Cup Carnival with a legendary performance featuring the anthem Great Southern Land and a catalogue of chart-topping hits. Catch them after the last race at The Elms Live Stage, presented by Maccas.
The home of live music and trackside moments! The ultimate trackside party zone featuring live music and entertainment and spaces to gather with friends just past the Winning Post.
Raise a glass to the season with the Don Julio Golden Gallop - the exclusive cocktail of the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival.
You can purchase a Golden Gallop from a selection of bars in both Members and Public venues.
*T&Cs apply.The heart of family fun, food and discovery! The first dedicated family-friendly space including kids’ entertainment; immersive activities; and dedicated equine. Entry to The Park is FREE for all racegoers!
The globally renowned fashion event, Fashions on the Field, has been a highlight of the Melbourne Cup Carnival since 1962. Returning this year to the iconic Front Lawn, be sure not to miss the iconic runway throughout the day.
Black and white is the signature style for Howden Victoria Derby Day - be sure to embrace the monochrome look when putting together your outfit!
Official Flower: Blue Cornflower
Blaze a trail to the stylish surrounds of the world-famous Birdcage at the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival. Simply scan your VRC Membership card and enjoy the Birdcage Stage, the Birdcage Flowershop and more!
Pin & Win has raised over $9 million for charities since 1995. Through the Pin & Win partnership, RMHC VIC & TAS will be aiming to raise funds to cover 4000 nights of accommodation. Purchase a pin on-course or online, or you can also donate to the RMHC VIC & TAS Pin and Win Campaign
Visit The Pamper Lounge by Runway Room & celebrity hair stylist Joey Scandizzo this Cup Week. Enjoy complimentary make-up touch-ups, express lashes and hair to leave you glowing throughout the day in The Atrium of the Grandstand, and in The Birdcage!
Explore the incredible variety of food and drink options available this Melbourne Cup Carnival, including General Public, The Park, Members Enclosure, and The Birdcage.
Experience the high energy of the Club Lawn! Sando Sans by Mr Miyagi, Editas and Johhny, Vince and Sam's will be serving up a variety of Melbourne’s best takeaway options towards the east end of the Front Lawn.
The Nursery will be bursting with kids activities on Howden Victoria Derby Day – think face painting, lawn games, dance workshops and more!
Transform your racing experience this Melbourne Cup Carnival with Inside Run, your official race guide! It’s free and requires no sign-up, offering live streaming, instant replays, animated AI-powered predictor videos, expert tips, and race day news—keeping you connected to all the on-track action!
Resident DJ John Course will keep the party going in The Roof Garden on all 4 days of Cup Week, spinning music from after the feature race and continuing long after the last!
Join the excitement at the TAB Saintly Place Sports Bar, the perfect spot for sports fans! Enjoy big-screen action, grab a refreshing drink, and indulge in the range of delicious bites available.
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind race day experience with live fashion illustrators. The perfect Carnival keepsake, our talented illustrators will capture your race day look for you to take home.
Official memorabilia for the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival including bucket hats, drink bottles and stubby holders.
Take your Flemington experience to the next level. The updated Digital Map helps you plan your experience before you have even arrived!
The Digital Map gives you real-time navigation and access to everything happening across Cup Week and the racing season.
It has also been included in the VRC Updated iOS App, available for download now on Apple App Store.
Prizemoney: $2,000,000
3YO Set Weights. Apprentices cannot claim.
‘Australia’s Oldest Classic’
172nd of Series
Prizemoney: $2,000,000
3YO Set Weights. Apprentices cannot claim.
Registered name: Ascot Vale Stakes
57th of Series
Prizemoney: $1,000,000
3YO & Upwards Fillies & Mares Weight-For-Age. Apprentices cannot claim.
41st of Series
EMPIRE ROSE (NZ) (Sir Tristram (IRE) – Summer Fleur (NZ))
The big New Zealand mare, daughter of Sir Tristram, had a Melbourne Cup record that few could better. She ran in four Cups for a fifth (1986), second (1987), first (1988) and fifteenth when favourite (1989). She won the 1987 New Zealand Cup and the 1988 Mackinnon Stakes. Trained at Cambridge, New Zealand by Laurie Laxon, she was often ridden in trackwork by the trainer’s then wife Sheila, who in 2001 in her own right trained the mare Ethereal to win the Caulfield–Melbourne Cup double, officially the first woman trainer to win the Melbourne Cup. The Empire Rose Stakes is a Group 1 race for fillies and mares.
Prizemoney: $500,000
Handicap. Apprentices cannot claim.
Formerly Linlithgow Stakes
115th of Series
DAMIEN OLIVER
Damien Oliver, one of Australia’s most celebrated jockeys, retired in 2023, leaving behind a legacy that will be hard to match. Born into a racing family, Oliver navigated personal tragedy when he lost his brother Jason, also a jockey, to achieve extraordinary success in the saddle. His career spanned decades, amassing 3,189 wins, including a remarkable 129 Group 1 victories. His Melbourne Cup triumphs – aboard Doriemus in 1995, Media Puzzle in 2002, and Fiorente in 2013 – are etched in racing folklore. Oliver’s dominance was evident at Flemington, where he claimed an impressive seven VRC Oaks, six VRC Derbies, and a host of other prestigious races. Inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2008, Oliver was renowned for his dedication, sportsmanship, and an unwavering passion for racing. He concluded his career with a flourish, riding the final three winners at the Ascot meeting in Western Australia in December, a fitting farewell for a true legend of the turf.
Prizemoney: $300,000
3YO Fillies Set Weights plus Penalties. Apprentices cannot claim.
97th of Series
WAKEFUL (Trenton (NZ) – Insomnia)
Wakeful has claims to be the greatest, certainly the most versatile, race mare ever to have competed in Australia. She won 25 feature races from the Oakleigh Plate (5½ furlongs), Newmarket Handicap, 6 furlongs, AJC Doncaster Handicap (1 mile) to the Sydney Cup (2 miles) and the Australian Champion Stakes (3 miles). Three times she won the VRC Melbourne (Mackinnon Stakes). Her bravest race was her close second place under 10 stone (63.5kg) to Lord Cardigan in the 1903 Melbourne Cup. At stud she produced an Oakleigh Plate winner, Blairgour, and the 1918 Melbourne Cup winner, Night Watch.
Prizemoney: $500,000
3YO Set Weights plus Penalties. Apprentices cannot claim.
53rd of Series
CARBINE CLUB OF VICTORIA
Victoria’s Carbine Club began in 1961 with a small coterie of sportsmen creating a luncheon club. Meurig Davis, co-author with Maurice Cavanough of Cup Day: The story of the Melbourne Cup 1861–1960, was co-founder and suggested the name to honour the 1891 Cup winner and turf legend. The Carbine Club celebrates sporting endeavour, with a proud history of fellowship and support for community. It spawned associated clubs around Australia and internationally. Membership is a sporting honour, by invitation, but the goodwill is shared. Its famous Derby Eve luncheon began in 1963 and grew to a lunch for a thousand, an annual curtain-raiser to Melbourne Cup Carnival week.
Prizemoney: $200,000
3YO Fillies Set Weights plus Penalties. Apprentices cannot claim.
41st of Series
Prizemoney: $200,000
4YO & Upwards Mares Set Weights plus Penalties. Apprentices cannot claim.
Registered name: Begonia Belle Stakes
29th of Series
BEGONIA BELLE (Court Sentence (GB) - Near Belle)
The registered race name remembers the great sprinting mare Begonia Belle, winner of the 1967 Caulfield One Thousand Guineas and Sandown Guineas, the 1969 Moonee Valley Alister Clark Stakes and, at Flemington, the 1968 Lightning Stakes and 1969 Newmarket Handicap. She finished second to Sweet Embrace in the 1967 Golden Slipper at Rosehill, and third to Manihi in the 1968 Newmarket. She was bred and raced by Hilton Nicholas AM, OBE (1925–2918) who was Chairman of the VRC 1982–86 and Chairman of the TAB 1968–84. He stood the sire, Court Sentence, at his Shirley Park Stud, Macedon.
Prizemoney: $200,000
Handicap. Apprentices cannot claim.
Formerly Chatham Stakes
152nd of Series
RISING FAST (NZ) (Alonzo (GB) – Faster (NZ))
This New Zealand champion came so close to becoming the first horse ever to win the Caulfield Cup–Melbourne Cup double twice in succession. He won the Caulfield Cup in 1954 and 1955 and the Melbourne Cup in 1954 before being beaten into second place, carrying 63.5 kg, by Toparoa in 1955. And Toparoa carried 15.4 kg less on his back. Today’s race previously honoured Chatham, champion miler and middle-distance horse of the 1930s, son of the 1925 Melbourne Cup winner Windbag. Chatham won two Epsoms and a Doncaster at Randwick, a Cox Plate, and at Flemington he twice won the Linlithgow Stakes.
Prizemoney: $80,000
Benchmark 79 Handicap. Apprentices can claim.
Prizemoney: $2,000,000
Trophies: $11,500
3YO Set Weights. Apprentices cannot claim.
‘Australia’s Oldest Classic’
172nd of Series
Prizemoney: $2,000,000
Trophies: $5,645
3YO Set Weights. Apprentices cannot claim.
Registered name: Ascot Vale Stakes
57th of Series
Prizemoney: $1,000,000
Trophies: $5,645
3YO & Upwards Fillies & Mares Weight-For-Age. Apprentices cannot claim.
41st of Series
ROSE OF KINGSTON (Claude (ITY) – Kingston Rose)
Victorian-bred, the versatile Rose of Kingston is one of only nine fillies to have won the AJC/ATC Derby at Randwick since its first running in 1861. In 26 starts she achieved 10 wins and 9 placings. Third in the 1981 Golden Slipper, winner of the Champagne Stakes (Randwick), VRC Craiglee Stakes and Oaks, and Australasian Oaks (Adelaide), she became Australian Horse of the Year at 3, and then champion older mare. As a broodmare she went to the USA and with the Triple Crown legend Secretariat produced 1990 Melbourne Cup winner Kingston Rule.
Prizemoney: $500,000
Trophies: $4,945
Handicap. Apprentices cannot claim.
Formerly Linlithgow Stakes
115th of Series
DAMIEN OLIVER
Damien Oliver, one of Australia’s most celebrated jockeys, retired in 2023, leaving behind a legacy that will be hard to match. Born into a racing family, Oliver navigated personal tragedy when he lost his brother Jason, also a jockey, to achieve extraordinary success in the saddle. His career spanned decades, amassing 3,189 wins, including a remarkable 129 Group 1 victories. His Melbourne Cup triumphs – aboard Doriemus in 1995, Media Puzzle in 2002, and Fiorente in 2013 – are etched in racing folklore. Oliver’s dominance was evident at Flemington, where he claimed an impressive seven VRC Oaks, six VRC Derbies, and a host of other prestigious races. Inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2008, Oliver was renowned for his dedication, sportsmanship, and an unwavering passion for racing. He concluded his career with a flourish, riding the final three winners at the Ascot meeting in Western Australia in December, a fitting farewell for a true legend of the turf.
Prizemoney: $300,000
Trophies: $4,945
3YO Fillies Set Weights plus Penalties. Apprentices cannot claim.
97th of Series
WAKEFUL (Trenton (NZ) – Insomnia)
Wakeful has claims to be the greatest, certainly the most versatile, race mare ever to have competed in Australia. She won 25 feature races from the Oakleigh Plate (5½ furlongs), Newmarket Handicap, 6 furlongs, AJC Doncaster Handicap (1 mile) to the Sydney Cup (2 miles) and the Australian Champion Stakes (3 miles). Three times she won the VRC Melbourne (Mackinnon Stakes). Her bravest race was her close second place under 10 stone (63.5kg) to Lord Cardigan in the 1903 Melbourne Cup. At stud she produced an Oakleigh Plate winner, Blairgour, and the 1918 Melbourne Cup winner, Night Watch.
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Instagram – @worldpool.racing; @hkjcracingsports; @hongkongracing
Prizemoney: $500,000
Trophies: $3,645
3YO Set Weights plus Penalties. Apprentices cannot claim.
53rd of Series
CARBINE CLUB OF VICTORIA
Victoria’s Carbine Club began in 1961 with a small coterie of sportsmen creating a luncheon club. Meurig Davis, co-author with Maurice Cavanough of Cup Day: The story of the Melbourne Cup 1861–1960, was co-founder and suggested the name to honour the 1891 Cup winner and turf legend. The Carbine Club celebrates sporting endeavour, with a proud history of fellowship and support for community. It spawned associated clubs around Australia and internationally. Membership is a sporting honour, by invitation, but the goodwill is shared. Its famous Derby Eve luncheon began in 1963 and grew to a lunch for a thousand, an annual curtain-raiser to Melbourne Cup Carnival week.
Prizemoney: $240,000
Trophies: $3,645
3YO Fillies Set Weights plus Penalties. Apprentices cannot claim.
41st of Series
Prizemoney: $240,000
Trophies: $3,645
4YO & Upwards Mares Set Weights plus Penalties. Apprentices cannot claim.
Registered name: Begonia Belle Stakes
29th of Series
BEGONIA BELLE (Court Sentence (GB) - Near Belle)
The registered race name remembers the great sprinting mare Begonia Belle, winner of the 1967 Caulfield One Thousand Guineas and Sandown Guineas, the 1969 Moonee Valley Alister Clark Stakes and, at Flemington, the 1968 Lightning Stakes and 1969 Newmarket Handicap. She finished second to Sweet Embrace in the 1967 Golden Slipper at Rosehill, and third to Manihi in the 1968 Newmarket. She was bred and raced by Hilton Nicholas AM, OBE (1925–2918) who was Chairman of the VRC 1982–86 and Chairman of the TAB 1968–84. He stood the sire, Court Sentence, at his Shirley Park Stud, Macedon.
Prizemoney: $240,000
Trophies: $3,645
Handicap. Apprentices cannot claim.
Formerly Chatham Stakes
152nd of Series
RISING FAST (NZ) (Alonzo (GB) – Faster (NZ))
This New Zealand champion came so close to becoming the first horse ever to win the Caulfield Cup–Melbourne Cup double twice in succession. He won the Caulfield Cup in 1954 and 1955 and the Melbourne Cup in 1954 before being beaten into second place, carrying 63.5 kg, by Toparoa in 1955. And Toparoa carried 15.4 kg less on his back. Today’s race previously honoured Chatham, champion miler and middle-distance horse of the 1930s, son of the 1925 Melbourne Cup winner Windbag. Chatham won two Epsoms and a Doncaster at Randwick, a Cox Plate, and at Flemington he twice won the Linlithgow Stakes.
