Victoria Racing Club
Encyclopedia
The Victoria Racing Club was founded in 1864. It was formed following the disbanding of the Victoria Turf Club and the Victoria Jockey Club. A legacy passed from the Victoria Turf Club was the annual “race that stops a nation”, the Melbourne Cup
, which was first contested in 1861.
From its foundation in 1864 until 2001 the Victoria Racing Club was the responsible authority for the conduct of thoroughbred racing in the State of Victoria
, Australia
. Since 2001 this role has been managed by Racing Victoria Limited
.
The VRC is managed by an unpaid committee, elected by club members.
In 1871 the Victorian Government appointed the VRC as trustees of a site of 352 acres (1.4 km²) of Crown Land, next to the Maribyrnong River
, which became known as Flemington Racecourse
.
Much of the early success of the VRC is attributed to the administration of the first Secretary of the club, Robert C. Bagot and his successor Henry Byron Moore.
. The Melbourne Cup is run on the first Tuesday in November, the Victoria Derby
and LKS MacKinnon Stakes
are held on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup, the VRC Oaks
is on the Thursday following the Cup, and Stakes day is on the Saturday following the Oaks.
The VRC also hosts race meetings during the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival. These meetings include Group 1 races for the Australian Cup
, the Newmarket Handicap
and the Lightning Stakes
.
During the winter months, jumps racing is staged, the premier events being the Grand National Steeplechase and the Grand National Hurdle.
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's major Thoroughbred horse race. Marketed as "the race that stops a nation", it is a 3,200 metre race for three-year-olds and over. It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world, and one of the richest turf races...
, which was first contested in 1861.
From its foundation in 1864 until 2001 the Victoria Racing Club was the responsible authority for the conduct of thoroughbred racing in the State of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Since 2001 this role has been managed by Racing Victoria Limited
Racing Victoria Limited
Racing Victoria Limited, as the governing Principal Racing Authority, has responsibilities to develop, encourage, promote and manage the conduct of Thoroughbred horseracing in the State of Victoria, Australia...
.
The VRC is managed by an unpaid committee, elected by club members.
In 1871 the Victorian Government appointed the VRC as trustees of a site of 352 acres (1.4 km²) of Crown Land, next to the Maribyrnong River
Maribyrnong river
The Maribyrnong River rises about 50 km north of Melbourne, Victoria , near Mount Macedon. It flows generally southward and combines with the Yarra River to flow into Port Phillip....
, which became known as Flemington Racecourse
Flemington Racecourse
Flemington Racecourse is a major horse racing venue located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is most notable for hosting the Melbourne Cup, which is Australia's richest horse race. The racecourse is situated on low alluvial flats, next to the Maribyrnong River...
.
Much of the early success of the VRC is attributed to the administration of the first Secretary of the club, Robert C. Bagot and his successor Henry Byron Moore.
Racing Carnivals
The Victoria Racing Club hosts four race meetings at Flemington during the Melbourne Spring Racing CarnivalMelbourne Spring Racing Carnival
The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival is the name of a Melbourne, Australia Thoroughbred horse racing series held annually during October and November .-The Carnival and its status in the wider community:...
. The Melbourne Cup is run on the first Tuesday in November, the Victoria Derby
Victoria Derby
The Victoria Derby is an Australian Thoroughbred horse race held annually on the first day of Melbourne's annual Spring Racing Carnival, Victorian Derby Day, held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. A Group One race for three-year-old horses, it is raced on a left-handed turf course at a...
and LKS MacKinnon Stakes
LKS MacKinnon Stakes
From 1869 to 1936 the LKS Mackinnon Stakes was known as the Melbourne Stakes.The LKS Mackinnon Stakes is a Victoria Racing Club Group 1 2000 metre Thoroughbred horse race run under Weight for Age conditions. The race is held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia on the Saturday before...
are held on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup, the VRC Oaks
VRC Oaks
The Crown Oaks , is the third day of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival at Flemington Racecourse. Oaks Day is held on the Thursday directly following Melbourne Cup Day...
is on the Thursday following the Cup, and Stakes day is on the Saturday following the Oaks.
The VRC also hosts race meetings during the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival. These meetings include Group 1 races for the Australian Cup
Australian Cup
The Australian Cup is a Group 1 Weight for Age race for Thoroughbred racehorses run over 2000 metres, at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia in March...
, the Newmarket Handicap
Newmarket Handicap
The Newmarket Handicap is a VRC Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. The event is an open handicap race over 1200 metres...
and the Lightning Stakes
Lightning Stakes
The Lightning Stakes is a Group 1 Australian thoroughbred horse race at Weight for Age, run over a distance of 1000 metres at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne in February. Prizemoney is A$750,000...
.
During the winter months, jumps racing is staged, the premier events being the Grand National Steeplechase and the Grand National Hurdle.