Caulfield Racecourse: Cradle of the Caulfield Cup!

Caulfield Racecourse is the home of the Melbourne Racing Club. Caulfield train station is only a few hundred metres from the racecourse and is located on the Frankston, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines. Trains depart every 10 minutes from Flinders Street Station in the Melbourne CBD.

Caulfield Racecourse holds about 20 racedays each season. Caulfield Racecourse plays host to some of the most famous and historic races in Australia, most notable among them is the famed Caulfield Cup. The Caulfield Cup is known as the first leg of Australia's famous double-header of horse racing, with the other leg being the Melbourne Cup. It is the dream of every jockey, owner and trainer to win both races, and so far only nine horses have achieved the coveted double.

Among the other big racing events held at Caulfield Racecourse are:

• Caulfield Guineas
• Blue Diamond Stakes
• C F Orr Stakes
• Oakleigh Plate
• Futurity Stakes

Caulfield Racecourse is operated by the Victorian Amateur Turf Club, Melbourne Victoria.

Caulfield Racecourse Description

Caulfield Racecourse has a triangular shaped layout. It has three straights of 30 metres wide.

Caulfield Racecourse has a total circumference of 2,080 metres and a finishing straight of 367 metres. All its turns have a 4% to 6 % banking. Racing at Caulfield Racecourse takes place in an anti-clockwise direction.

Caulfield Racecourse possesses sweeping long corners and there is a rise along the back of the course leading to the 1,400m start.  Caulfield Racecourse's sharp corners and the short straight make it difficult for horses to come from the back and win.

A great view of Caulfield Racecourse can be seen from the elegant and totally glassed-in Rupert Clarke stand.

Caulfield Racecourse History

• In 1859, horse racing was first held at the Caulfield site. In those early days, jockeys rode through rough bush, heath, and sand hills earning Caulfield its affectionate nickname "The Heath".

• In 1876, the Melbourne Racing Club (formerly Victoria Amateur Turf Club) held its first meeting at Caulfield.

• In 1879, the Club introduced the Caulfield Cup to its fixture.

• In 1995, Caulfield Racecourse closed for major renovation.

• In April 1996, Caulfield Racecourse re-opened. The course was widened to 30 metres around the entire circumference and the straight lengthened by 43 metres. The new racing surface has been cambered from the outside running rail with the crown of the track at the outside running rail. The banking on the turn into the home straight is 4 percent, while the other turns have an equivalent banking of 2 percent.

• Up until 2004, Carlton and United Breweries were the major sponsors of the Caulfield Cup.

• In 2005, BMW took over as the major sponsor of the Caulfield Cup.

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