MELBOURNE CUP

The Melbourne Cup takes place on the second day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, a four-day racing extravaganza held every October/November at Flemington Racecourse.

Having been run every year since 1861 (excluding war years) and consistently achieved an attendance of over 70,000, the Lexus Melbourne Cup has cemented itself as a crucial part of Melbourne and Australian culture. Frequently referred to as ‘the race that stops a nation’ - the day of the race is considered a public holiday for much of Victoria since 1873.

Unusually for a Group 1, the race is technically a handicap. Run on turf over just under two miles, it is the richest handicap in the world, with a $8m purse.

Away from the track, 'Fashions on the Field' is a major focus of the day, with substantial prizes awarded for the best-dressed man and woman; and attracting some of the most glamourous celebrities from across the globe, including Paris Hilton, Eva Longoria and Gigi Hadid. The requirement for elegant hats, and more recently the alternative of a fascinator, almost single-handedly keeps Melbourne's milliners in business.

While a racing event at its core, Cup Day transcends traditional sporting events with the combination of sport, fashion, celebrity and entertainment.