Flemington Racecourse
Main grandstand during the 2013 Melbourne Cup | |
![]() Interactive map of Flemington Racecourse | |
| Location | Flemington, Victoria |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 37°47′25″S 144°54′45″E / 37.79028°S 144.91250°E |
| Owned by | Victoria Racing Club |
| Date opened | 1840 |
| Capacity | 120,000 |
| Screened on | Seven Network Nine Network |
| Course type | Flat Jumps Steeplechase |
| Notable races | Melbourne Cup Victoria Derby LKS Mackinnon Stakes Emirates Stakes Newmarket Handicap Australian Cup |
| Official website | |
Flemington Racecourse is a major horse racing venue located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is most notable for hosting the Melbourne Cup, which is the world's richest handicap and the world's richest 3200-metre horse race. The racecourse is situated on low alluvial flats, next to the Maribyrnong River. The area was first used for horse racing in March 1840.[1]
Overview
[edit]
The Flemington Racecourse site comprises 1.27 square kilometres of Crown land. The course was originally leased to the Victoria Turf Club in 1848, which merged with the Victoria Jockey Club in 1864 to form the Victoria Racing Club. The first Melbourne Cup was run in 1861. In 1871 the Victoria Racing Club Act was passed, giving the VRC legal control over Flemington Racecourse.
The racecourse is pear-shaped, and boasts a six-furlong (1,200 m) straight known as 'the Straight Six.' The track has a circumference of 2,312 metres (1.437 mi) and a final straight of 450 metres (490 yd) for race distances over 1.2 kilometres (1,300 yd). Races are run in an anti-clockwise direction.
The course has a crowd capacity of over 120,000 and contains three grandstands. The biggest ever attendance was on Victoria Derby Day in 2006 when 129,069 people saw Efficient win the Victoria Derby.[1] On 28 November 1986, Pope John Paul II celebrated the Mass on the racetrack inner oval. The racecourse has undergone a facelift in recent years, with the opening of a new $45 million grandstand in 2000 and the opening of a new members' grandstand in 2018. It also contains a bronze statue of the famous racehorse Phar Lap, which was donated to the Club as part of Australia's bicentenary celebrations in 1988. Also in celebration was the commission of Harold Freedman's seven panel mural which traces the History of Racing.[2] The mural is housed is in The Hill Stand, built in 1977.
Flemington Racecourse was added to the Australian National Heritage List on 7 November 2006,[3] announced during the 2006 Melbourne Cup.[4] The site is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.[5]
Flemington Racecourse today hosts many of Australia's top races, including the Melbourne Cup, Victoria Derby, VRC Oaks, Mackinnon Stakes, Newmarket Handicap, Australian Cup and Lightning Stakes.
Transport
[edit]
The site has its own railway branch line, which operates on race days, bringing visitors to the adjacent railway station. Trains depart from platforms 8 and 9 at Flinders Street Station. The No. 57 tram from the City (Elizabeth and Flinders Streets) stops at the Epsom Road entrance. [6]
Originally, it was serviced by Salt Water River station, before that was demolished in the 1860s and replaced with a station on the present site.
Car spaces for the disabled are available and taxi ranks are located adjacent to the main entrances.[6] Shuttle buses run from Epsom Road to the main turnstiles of the racecourse. Lift access is available in the Prince of Wales Stand and to the first floor of the Members Stand.
Races
[edit]The following is a list of Group races which are run at Flemington Racecourse. All races in metres.[7]
| Grp | Race name | Age | Sex | Weight | Distance | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ascot Vale Stakes | 3YO | Open | sw | 1200 | November |
| 1 | Australian Cup | Open | Open | wfa | 2000 | March |
| 1 | Australian Guineas | 3YO | Open | sw | 1600 | February |
| 1 | Black Caviar Lightning | Open | Open | wfa | 1000 | February |
| 1 | Makybe Diva Stakes | Open | Open | wfa | 1600 | September |
| 1 | Cantala Stakes | Open | Open | hcp | 1600 | November |
| 1 | Empire Rose Stakes | 3YO+ | F&M | wfa | 1600 | November |
| 1 | LKS Mackinnon Stakes | Open | Open | wfa | 2000 | November |
| 1 | Melbourne Cup | Open | Open | hcp | 3200 | November |
| 1 | Newmarket Handicap | Open | Open | hcp | 1200 | March |
| 1 | VRC Sprint Classic | Open | Open | wfa | 1200 | November |
| 1 | Turnbull Stakes | 4YO+ | Open | sw+p | 2000 | October |
| 1 | Victoria Derby | 3YO | Open | sw | 2500 | November |
| 1 | VRC Oaks | 3YO | Fillies | sw | 2500 | November |
| 2 | A.V Kewney Stakes | 3YO | Fillies | sw | 1600 | March |
| 2 | Blamey Stakes | 3YO+ | Open | sw+p | 1600 | March |
| 2 | Edward Manifold Stakes | 3YO | Fillies | sw | 1600 | October |
| 2 | Gilgai Stakes | Open | Open | sw+p | 1200 | October |
| 2 | Linlithgow Stakes | Open | Open | hcp | 1200 | November |
| 2 | Matriarch Stakes | 4YO+ | Mares | hcp | 2000 | November |
| 2 | Rose Of Kingston Stakes | 4YO+ | Mares | sw+p | 1400 | October |
| 2 | VRC Sires' Produce Stakes | 2YO | Open | sw | 1400 | March |
| 2 | Wakeful Stakes | 3YO | Fillies | sw+p | 2000 | November |
| 3 | Aurie's Star Handicap | Open | Open | hcp | 1200 | August |
| 3 | Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes | 2YO | Fillies | sw+p | 1200 | March |
| 3 | Bobby Lewis Quality | Open | Open | qlty | 1200 | September |
| 3 | Chatham Stakes | Open | Open | hcp | 1400 | November |
| 3 | Frances Tressady Stakes | 4YO+ | Mares | sw+p | 1400 | March |
| 3 | Hotham Handicap | Open | Open | qlty | 2500 | November |
| 3 | Maribyrnong Plate | 2YO | Open | sw+p | 1000 | November |
| 3 | Matron Stakes | 4YO+ | Mares | sw+p | 1600 | March |
| 3 | Let's Elope Stakes | 4YO+ | Mares | sw+p | 1400 | September |
| 3 | Standish Handicap | Open | Open | hcp | 1200 | January |
| 3 | C S Hayes Stakes | 3YO | C&G | sw+p | 1400 | February |
| 3 | The Vanity[8] | 3YO | Fillies | sw+p | 1400 | February |
| 3 | VRC Carbine Club Stakes | 3YO | Open | sw+p | 1600 | November |
| 3 | VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes | Open | Open | qlty | 2600 | November |
| L | VRC St Leger Stakes | 3YO | Open | sw+p | 2800 | April |
Key
[edit]- hcp - handicap
- qlty - quality handicap
- sw - set weights
- sw+p - set weights with penalties
- wfa - Weight for Age
Flemington Racecourse (Car Park)
[edit]To the north of the racecourse and south of the rail line and station, lies a car park, on non race days, it is sometimes used for other events, mainly music festivals and concerts, but has also been used for other events including car shows and local markets

The location typically goes by Flemington Racecourse, but some festivals use different names, Laneway Festival refers to it as "Flemington Park",[9] Tell No Tales festival refers to it as "The Nursery"[10]
History
[edit]Small local events have been hosted at the site for many years, as early as 1996 with a local market that offered fresh foods, jewellery, distinctive clothing, Australian-made art and craft[11]
In the mid 2000s, around 2005-2007 the racecourse was redeveloped, The VRC wanted to increase and diversify their revenue, and to maximize the use of their facilities beyond race days. [12] This redevelopment however, did not rebuild the car park itself.
In March 2008 the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria hosted the RACV Classic showcase.[13] On 20 July 2008, the car park hosted the 4th Shannons car show.[14]
On 17 May 2009, the RACV Classic Showcase was once again held at the venue,[15]also on the, 29 April 2012,[16] 21 April 2013,[17] 30 March 2014,[18],10 April 2016[19]19 February 2017[20] and finally
Shannon's also hosted other car shows in 2014.[21]and on 19 April 2015[22] and on 1 May 2016[23]
Circuses has ran at the car park a few times, including in 2015 with TOTEM[24] 2024 with LUZIA[25] and in 2026 with KOOZA [26]
During the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria it was proposed to have drive-in concerts at the venue with 12 concerts, plus a movie and comedy night proposed[27] However, due the 2nd lockdown in Melbourne, the events where canceled [28]



Gallery
[edit]


See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 100,000 and more – but nobody's counting Archived 4 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Insight into a nation's track record
- ↑ Flemington Racecourse National Heritage Listing Archived 27 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Flemington now a National Treasure Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Flemington Racecourse, Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H2220", Victorian Heritage Database, Heritage Victoria, archived from the original on 7 May 2011, retrieved 16 September 2010
- 1 2 "Getting to Flemington | Victoria Racing Club". www.vrc.com.au. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- ↑ Australian Group races Archived 16 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ The Vanity 2008 result Archived 27 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Home | Melbourne". www.lanewayfestival.com. Archived from the original on 3 January 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ Carr, Michael (18 August 2016). "Tell No Tales Festival Announces Debut Lineup". Music Feeds. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Flemington Racecourse Market - Market - myMarkets Vic - Directory". www.mymarketsvic.com.au. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ "2006 VRC Annual Report". FlippingBook. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ Team, MotorMarques. "RACV Classic Showcase - MotorMarques.com | Classic Car Revival". www.motormarques.com. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ "The Fourth Annual Shannons Classic Australian Car Show". Drive. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ "RACV CLASSIC SHOWCASE". Just Cars. 15 July 2009. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ "RACV CLASSIC SHOWCASE 2012". Just Cars. 1 May 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ "Classic Showcase and Club Concours on Sunday 21 April – Peugeot Car Club of Victoria". 12 May 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ "RACV-AOMC Classic Showcase 2014 – Peugeot Car Club of Victoria". Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ "Classic Showcase on Sunday 10 April – Peugeot Car Club of Victoria". 4 April 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ "Reminder: Classic Showcase on Sunday 19 February – Peugeot Car Club of Victoria". 16 February 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ Writer, Staff (7 April 2014). "Shannons American Motoring Show 2014". Trade Unique Cars. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ "SHANNONS-AOMC American Motoring Show 2015 - VICTORIA - Shannons Club". www.shannons.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 April 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ "2016 American Motoring Show". www.chevcarclubvic.org.au. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ "Cirque's massive Birdcage marquee". NewsComAu. Archived from the original on 19 February 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ "Circus review: Luzia, Cirque du Soleil, Flemington Racecourse". www.artshub.com.au. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ Anand, Arshia (8 April 2026). "Meet Cirque Du Soleil's Dazzling 'Circus In A Box' — The World-Famous Acrobatics Show Arriving At Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse This May". Secret Melbourne. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ Dowse, Nicola (15 June 2020). "Flemington Racecourse is being turned into a drive-in concert venue". Time Out Melbourne. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ "THE-DRIVE-IN". THE-DRIVE-IN. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ "Concert History of Anglesea Football Club Anglesea, VIC, Australia | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Archived from the original on 25 April 2026. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ "Apr 06, 2002: Vans Warped Tour at Flemington Racecourse Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ Donovan, Patrick (16 February 2009). "Music festival shifts its ground". The Age. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ "Feb 15, 2009: Good Vibrations Festival at Flemington Racecourse Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ "Concert History of Future Music Festival 2009 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ "Good Vibrations Festival 2010". The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 February 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ Smith, Toby (5 August 2009). "Good Vibrations Festival 2010!". Music Feeds. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ On, Available. "Future Music Festival 2010 at Flemington Racecourse (Flemington) on 7 Mar 2010". Last.fm. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- 1 2 Ritchie, John (6 February 2012). "Big Day Out 2012 Ticket Sales The Worst In Years". Music Feeds. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "Good Vibrations Festival 2011!". www.goodvibrationsfestival.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 May 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ On, Available. "Future Music Festival 2011 at Flemington Racecourse (Flemington) on 13 Mar 2011". Last.fm. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ "Mar 04, 2012: Future Music Festival 2012 at Arena Joondalup Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ "Good Life Festival 2012 To Feature Steve Angello, Skrillex, Tinie Tempah And More! | Underage.com.au |". underage.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 April 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
- 1 2 Newstead, Al (5 February 2014). "So How Many Tickets Did The Big Day Out Really Sell?". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "Good Life Festival 2013 Lineup - Music Feeds". Music Feeds. 15 December 2012. Archived from the original on 1 December 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
- ↑ "Mar 10, 2013: Future Music Festival 2013 at Flemington Racecourse Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ "Good Life | Frontier Touring". www.frontiertouring.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
- ↑ "Future Music Festival | Frontier Touring". www.frontiertouring.com. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ "Future Music Festival | Frontier Touring". www.frontiertouring.com. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ "Good Life | Frontier Touring". www.frontiertouring.com. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
- ↑ Carr, Michael (18 August 2016). "Tell No Tales Festival Announces Debut Lineup". Music Feeds. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "FOMO Festival Drop 2019 Lineup with Nicki Minaj, San Holo and More | OZ EDM: Electronic Dance Music News Australia". ozedm.com. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ "Melbourne's Reminisce Carnivàle Returns This December | OZ EDM: Electronic Dance Music News Australia". ozedm.com. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ "Subculture Festival 2022 Phase 2 Lineup Arrives + Set Times Announced | OZ EDM: Electronic Dance Music News Australia". ozedm.com. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ "Transmission Australia 2022 Full Lineup & Date Announced | OZ EDM: Electronic Dance Music News Australia". ozedm.com. 6 July 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ "RÜFÜS DU SOL 2022 Australian Tour Announced | OZ EDM: Electronic Dance Music News Australia". ozedm.com. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ Radbourne, Lucas (9 November 2021). "RÜFÜS DU SOL announce second Melbourne show". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Karnival 2023 Outdoor Festival Dates & Lineup Revealed | OZ EDM: Electronic Dance Music News Australia". ozedm.com. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
- ↑ "PURE Carl Cox 2023 Dates & Lineup Announced | OZ EDM: Electronic Dance Music News Australia". ozedm.com. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ "Dreamstate Australia Returns In 2023 | OZ EDM: Electronic Dance Music News Australia". ozedm.com. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ Newstead, Al (26 October 2022). "Slipknot announce huge Knotfest Australia 2023 line-up". triple j. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Christina Aguilera to perform in Australia for first time in 15 years". 9News. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Events: Zach Bryan - One Night Only!". www.untitledgroup.com.au. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Laneway Festival | Previous Lineups". www.lanewayfestival.com. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "Transmission Festival Returns To Melbourne in 2024 | OZ EDM". ozedm.com. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ Coeur, Sidonie Bird de la (19 November 2023). "Knotfest has announced its 2024 lineup". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Home - Ultra Australia April 12 & 13, 2024". Ultra Australia. Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ "MaRLo Announces ALTITUDE - ELEMENTS OF UNITY Shows | OZ EDM". ozedm.com. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ "ANYMA Presents GENESYS - Melbourne". Anyma. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ Hastings, Ashleigh. "Everything you need to know about this week's Dom Dolla shows". Time Out Melbourne. Archived from the original on 4 April 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ "Dreamstate Australia to Feature Return of the Rings Production | OZ EDM". ozedm.com. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ Radbourne, Lucas (16 October 2024). "Knotfest lineup led by Slipknot, A Day to Remember, Babymetal and more". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Ultra Australia - April 12, 2025". Ultra Australia. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ Radbourne, Lucas (3 June 2025). "MaRLo is bringing his trance festival back to Flemington Racecourse in September". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ "Hypersonic". Symbiotic. 12 August 2025. Archived from the original on 19 August 2025. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ "Good Things 2025". Songkick. Archived from the original on 17 February 2026. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ "Dreamstate Australia 2026 Lineup & Dates Revealed | OZ EDM: Electronic Dance Music News Australia". ozedm.com. 13 October 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ "안녕, Hello, Melbourne Music Festival 2026 - Get Tickets". Australian Music Scene. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Keinemusik @ Flemington Racecourse". Bandsintown. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Ultra Australia - April 12, 2025". Ultra Australia. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ Simon Beard (12 April 2026). We just sold 46,000 tickets for Ultra Australia in Melbourne. Retrieved 9 May 2026 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Altitude". MaRLo. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ "CORE Melbourne | CORE.world". www.core.world. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
External links
[edit]- Flemington Racecourse
- 1840 establishments in Australia
- Australian National Heritage List
- Horse racing venues in Australia
- Sports venues in Melbourne
- Places on the Victorian Heritage Register in the City of Melbourne
- Tourist attractions in Melbourne
- Sports venues completed in 1840
- Flemington, Victoria
- Sport in the City of Melbourne (LGA)
- Buildings and structures in the City of Melbourne (LGA)
