Melbourne Cup Horse Race

About This Event

Arguably one of the most anticipated horse racing carnivals in the world, the Melbourne Cup Carnival is a four-day event at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. It's held every year at the end of October or start of November, usually attracting around 300,000 punters. There are dozens of races to watch, but the big four are the Victoria Derby ('Derby Day'), the VRC Oaks ('Oaks Day'), the Mackinnon Stakes ('Stakes Day') and the jewel in Australia's horse racing crown, the Melbourne Cup, also known as the 'Race That Stops The Nation'. Literally, in Victoria's case: Melbourne Cup Day is a state public holiday.