We approach the day when a horse race will make a nation stop. The 2024 Melbourne Cup will take place at the Flemington Racecourse on November 5, and thousands of viewers across Australia anticipate the winner.
Why is the Melbourne Cup so important, and when did everything begin? Let’s find out.
The Origins of the Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is one of Australia’s most prestigious sports events and, surely, the country’s most prestigious horse race. Although the first official Melbourne Cup took place in 1861, the event’s beginnings date back to 1850 and the Australian Gold Rush, which initiated the rapid expansion of the colony.
During that period, horse racing grew steadily in popularity across the country. The Victorian Racing Club, formerly known as the Victorian Turf Club, began organizing formal races, which, over the years, grew into the iconic event we know today.
The first official Melbourne Cup race was held on November 7, 1861, at the Flemington Racecourse. The horse named Archer was the first-ever winner of the Cup. Interestingly, Archer traveled by foot to arrive in Melbourne and compete against 16 other horses.
The winner of a two-mile race, Archer, received a prize of 710 gold sovereigns and a gold watch. Archer came the following year, won the race again, and became the first horse to win the Melbourne Cup twice.
The popularity of the Melbourne Cup grew gradually and so did the prizes. What once was a local event became one of the most significant annual happenings. The Melbourne Cup is more than a sports event; it is a nationwide phenomenon and an important part of Australian tradition and culture.
The Race that Stops a Nation
The Melbourne Cup is a public holiday in Victoria. Still, the entire nation celebrates (even though not everyone gets a day off)
In Sydney, for instance, people dress up and go to Randwick Racecourse on race day to celebrate Cup Day. The concept resembles the one in Victoria: Fancifully dressed people come to hang out, enjoy great food and drinks, listen to live concerts, dance, and watch actual races—not just the live stream of the big event in Melbourne. Royal Randwick Racecourse organizes its own race, called the Cup Day Dance—a well-suited name for such an immersive event.
Perth also celebrates the Melbourne Cup. Glamour is the leading theme in all the famous equestrian locations around the country. In Perth, people gather for champagne breakfasts, visit fashion events, and attend Melbourne Cup luncheons at restaurants and hotels, where the spectacle is televised.
Similar to other major cities, Adelaide hosts various Melbourne Cup-themed gatherings. The most popular is the live streaming of the Melbourne race at Morphettville Racecourse. The town embraces the festive atmosphere with fashion shows and diverse offers of the Melbourne Cup-inspired gatherings.
In Brisbane, for example, bars and restaurants create special Melbourne Cup menus and screenings of the race. And like in Sydney, many racecourses host live racing that day, enabling visitors to experience a similar atmosphere as if they were at Flemington.
Even though it is not a national holiday (except for Victorians), the Melbourne Cup makes everyone take a moment and enjoy the race. People across Australia pause work, watch the race, and spend quality time with colleagues, friends, and family.
What Makes Melbourne Cup so Special
We have said it a few times, but the Melbourne Cup is a unique event that goes beyond its primary purpose. Of course, spectators come to watch the race, support their favorite participants, and even place a wager. But what sets this event apart is its social aspect.
Not many sports events can, if any, offer such a diversity of activities. Melbourne Cup blends culture, entertainment, gastronomy, and fashion.
Restaurants, hotels, and bars adjust their offers or create special menus for Melbourne Cup Day. Sparkly wine and cocktails are the event’s ”official” drinks.
Officially, the dress code is casual. Still, many don’t want to miss out on the chance to wear their best formal attire. A yellow rose, the official flower of the Cup, is an inevitable addition to said outfits.
Finally, the Melbourne Cup is one of the longest-running cultural events in Australia and has become engrained into the nation’s identity.
The Melbourne Cup 2024
This year’s race is scheduled for November 5 at Flemington Racecourse and this will be the 164th edition of the Cup. Who will win the impressive prize of $8.56 million is yet to be seen. Among the favorites is Jan Brueghel with experienced jockey Ryan Moore at the reigns, Vauban ridden by William Buick, and Absurde with Kerrin McEvoy.
