Flemington Racecourse News Headlines |
06/30/2008
Septimus looks at Melbourne Cup contention!
Septimus of Ireland has emerged as a possible contender in Australia 's most famous horse race, the Melbourne Cup, after he won in the Group Three Curragh Cup ... read more » |
06/16/2008
Zarita starts preparations for Caulfield and Melbourne Cups!
Dual classic winner Zarita has started preparations for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups at trainer Pat Hyland's property in Cranbourne ... read more » |
06/03/2008
Apache Cat wins Doomben 10,000!
Alice Springs trainer Lisa Lefoe is not bringing her sprinting sensation Periduki to Flemington Racecourse this weekend. Lefoe had earlier nominated the three-year-old Periduki to two races at Flemington Racecourse ... read more » |
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Flemington Racecourse: The Home of the Melbourne Cup!
 Flemington Racecourse is a horse racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Flemington Racecourse is most famous for its hosting of Australia's richest horse race - the Melbourne Cup - as well as the pageantry surrounding the Spring Racing Carnivals.
With an area of 1.27 square kilometers, Flemington Racecourse is situated on low alluvial flats, next to the Maribyrnong River. Flemington Racecourse is bounded by Epsom Rd, Smithfield Rd and the Maribyrnong River.
Flemington Racecourse hosts several important stakes racing events each year. Among them are:
- VRC Derby
- VRC Oaks
- MacKinnon Stakes
- Newmarket Handicap
- Australian Cup
- Lightning Stakes
Flemington Racecourse was declared a National Heritage Site for Australia in 2006. It thus joined the likes of the Sydney Opera House and Ayers Rock in being given that distinction.
Flemington Racecourse achieved the biggest ever attendance on VRC Derby Day in 2006 when 129,089 people came to watch.
Flemington Racecourse Description
Flemington Racecourse is somewhat shaped like a pear, as it has sweeping turns and long straight. It has a six-furlong racecourse that has a circumference of 2,312 metres and a final straight of 450 metres.
Races at Flemington Racecourse are run in an anti-clockwise direction.
Flemington Racecourse has a crowd capacity of over 120,000 and contains three grandstands. The racecourse has undergone a facelift in recent years, with the opening of the $45 million grandstand in 2000. The Hill Stand, built in 1977, houses the artist Harold Freedman's seven panel mural which traces the History of Racing.
Flemington Racecourse History
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In March 1840, horse racing was staged on the banks of the Maribyrnong River, which is the general area on which the present-day Flemington Racecourse now stands.
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Flemington Racecourse was set up on land owned by Robert Fleming and the property was used at the time for farming cattle and sheep and running a butchery. According to sources, the property became known as Fleming Town, and this soon attached to the racecourse on it.
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In 1848, the Victoria Turf Club leased the racecourse.
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In 1861, the first Melbourne Cup was run and it attracted 4,000 spectators.
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In 1864, the Victoria Turf Club merged with the Victoria Jockey Club to form the Victoria Racing Club.
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In 1871, the Victoria Racing Club Act was passed, and thus gave the VRC legal control over Flemington Racecourse.
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In 1925, the Members Grandstand was built.
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In 1977, the Hill Stand replaced the old Members Grandstand.
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In 2000, the new Grandstand at Flemington Racecourse was opened.
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In 2006, Flemington Racecourse was declared a National Heritage Site of Australia.
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