The Caulfield Cup is an annual Group 1 event held by the Melbourne Racing Club for horses three-years-old and above. One of the richest of its kind the world over, the race takes place over 2,400 metres and is part of the internationally renowned Victorian Spring Carnival. The Caulfield Cup is a handicap event which makes it possible for entrants to qualify for the Melbourne Cup.
The event is considered the most taxing of its kind, and therefore offers a satisfying purse of $2.5 million. The Caulfield Cup, held every year in October at the Caulfield Races, is often used as a strong indicator for spectators as to those who will be successful at the soon-to-follow Melbourne Cup.
Caulfield Cup Information
- Date: October
- Carnival: Caulfield Spring Racing Carnival
- Racecourse: Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne
- Distance: 2,400
- Race Type: 3YO and over
- Group Listing: Group 1
- Prize Money: $2.5 million
Caulfield Cup History
The first Caulfield Cup took place in 1879 and was won by Newminster. The event originally took place in the Autumn and did not move to its current Spring time spot until 1881. Due to the change of date, there were two winners in 1881, Blue Ribbon in the Autumn race and Master Avenel in the Spring. This was not the only time the cup had two winners. In 1943, due to a large number of participants, the race took on the form of two divisions.
The Caulfield Cup can claim what many deem to be the worst race fall to take place on Australian turf when 16 of the original 44 participants fell in 1885. The incident led to the death of jockey Donald Nicholson.
Caulfield Cup Records
- Time: 2.25.32 – Diatribe (2000)
- Most Wins By A Jockey: 5 – Scobie Breasley (1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1952)
- Most Wins By A Trainer: 6 – Bart Cummings
