The 2024 Melbourne Cup will take place on Tuesday, November 5th, continuing the tradition of holding “the race that stops a nation” on the first Tuesday of November. Held at the iconic Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, this 3,200-meter (two-mile) handicap race is Australia’s premier horse racing event and one of the richest and most prestigious races globally. Drawing top horses, jockeys, and trainers from Australia and around the world, the Melbourne Cup has been captivating audiences since its inception in 1861, becoming deeply woven into Australian culture with public holidays and celebrations nationwide.
Throughout its storied history, the Melbourne Cup has crowned legendary horses such as Phar Lap, Makybe Diva, and, more recently, Verry Elleegant. Each year, a maximum field of 24 horses competes, with handicaps assigned to level the playing field, often resulting in thrilling finishes and surprising outcomes. Open to three-year-olds and older, the race requires entrants to meet specific qualifying criteria, including previous race results and allocated weights.
Aside from the excitement of the race itself, the Melbourne Cup is celebrated for the fashion and fanfare that accompany it. Known for its formal dress code and lavish hats, “Cup Day” merges sport with an unmatched social scene, featuring charity events, celebrity appearances, and live entertainment.
In recent decades, the Melbourne Cup has expanded its global appeal, with high-profile horses and trainers from Europe and Asia making it an intensely competitive, international event. For Australians, the Melbourne Cup is the heart of racing culture, blending athleticism, tradition, and celebration in a unique spectacle that draws millions of viewers around the world.
