Spotlight to shine on the Festival of Racing
After a stunning Spring Racing Carnival that delivered countless highlights and increased crowds across the state, elite racing returns to the spotlight in Victoria with the start of the 2025 Festival of Racing.
The resumption of racing at Caulfield after a fire-elongated absence marked the beginning of an eight-week summer and autumn showpiece featuring thrilling action on the track and a relaxed environment and affordable hospitality off it.
The Festival of Racing was officially launched at Lindsay Park’s Flemington stables where co-trainers and twins Will and JD Hayes discussed their stable star Mr Brightside in the countdown to his title defence in the Group 1 Sportsbet C.F.Orr Stakes (1400m).
Guests were treated to a horse parade featuring Lindsay Park contenders for Saturday’s festival-opening meeting, while leading jockeys Jamie Melham, Daniel Stackhouse, and Jaylah Kennedy took to the stage to share insights into their festival preparations and prospects.
With a record 10 Group 1 races set to be showcased, the Festival of Racing will scale even greater heights in 2025 when a revamped autumn program also welcomes the inclusion of the lucrative Victorian Owners and Breeders Raceday.
The freshly-minted Group 1 The All-Star Mile (1600m) headlines the 2025 changes, finding a new home at Flemington on Super Saturday, 8 March, alongside the prestigious Yulong Newmarket Handicap (1200m) – one of four Group 1 open age sprints over the eight weeks.
In a win for racegoers, the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) announced The All-Star Mile Owner Ambassador competition, where everyday Australians can win a share of $200,000 simply entering the racecourse on Black Caviar Lightning Race Day (Saturday 15 February), Howden Australian Guineas Day (Saturday 1 March) and Super Saturday (Saturday 8 March) before 1:30pm.
After Another Wil became the first horse into The All-Star Mile after taking out the C.F Orr Stakes, the full list of nominations for the Group 1 mile was released on Tuesday, 11 February.
Saturday’s Herald Sun Caulfield Family Day will also showcase the stars of tomorrow in the Sportsbet Blue Diamond Preludes (1100m) in the countdown to the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) to be held at Caulfield on Saturday, 22 February.
Caulfield will later play host to the Victorian Owners and Breeders Raceday which features the $1 million VOBIS Platinum Showdown (1200m) and moves from its previous April slot to Saturday, 15 March, along with a new Sportsbet Super Bowl Monday meeting next week (10 February) where NFL and racing combine in a bonanza for sporting fans.
The first of four Group 1 meetings to be hosted at Flemington is on Saturday, 15 February when the world tunes in for the Black Caviar Lightning (1000m), before the three-year-olds take centre stage for the Howden Australian Guineas (1600m) on Saturday, 1 March.
The curtain comes down on the Festival of Racing on Saturday, 29 March at Flemington with the running of the Group 1 TAB Australian Cup (2000m) – which for the first time will be held three weeks after The All-Star Mile – and the Lexus Roy Higgins (2600m) which offers the first golden ticket into the 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup.
In between, The Valley will play a key role throughout the period hosting four consecutive Friday night meetings and the 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes (1200m, Group 1) on Saturday, 22 March.
Away from the bright lights of the city, the next eight weeks will also showcase unique and picturesque racecourses across the state with 13 country cups at tracks including Yarra Valley, Echuca and once-a-year venues in Buchan, Dederang and Hinnomunjie.
For those venturing into country Victoria across the Labour Day long weekend (8-10 March), there is no shortage of options to go racing with five country cup meetings scheduled in all corners of the state.
In great news for racing fans and families, affordable food and drinks will be a feature throughout the Festival of Racing with Caulfield’s Buck The Cost promotion, Flemington’s $5 Favourites and Southside Racing’s Together at the Table initiative seeing prices slashed.
In addition, those heading to feature country meetings, can also secure a free $10 food and drink voucher by booking their general admission ticket online at country.racing.com.
Quotes attributable to Racing Victoria Chief Executive, Aaron Morrison
“We witnessed vibrant crowds and amazing racing during the Spring Racing Carnival and we look forward to continuing that positive vibe throughout the Festival of Racing where relaxed racing is the order of the day.
“On the track, we’ve made key changes with The All-Star Mile moving to Super Saturday at Flemington and the lucrative Victorian Owners and Breeders Raceday now set to follow a week later at Caulfield.
“There’s also the rich heritage and excitement of iconic races like the Blue Diamond Stakes, Newmarket Handicap and Australian Cup to enjoy, coupled with a range of country cups that will spearhead great weekends for locals and holidaymakers in regional Victoria.
“Off the track our clubs are making affordable pricing and family entertainment a real focus. Whether you’re a seasoned racegoer or casual fan, the Festival of Racing will be great value for money.”
The five ‘win and you’re in races’ for The All-Star Mile are the C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m, Caulfield, 8 February), The Elms Handicap (1400m, Flemington, 15 February), Lamaro’s Hotel Futurity Stakes (1400m, Caulfield, 22 February), Australian Guineas and TAB Blamey Stakes (both 1600m, Flemington, 1 March).