The Cox Plate is a weight-for-age Group 1 race held with high esteem in the world of horse racing. Taking place annually in October over a distance of 2040 metres, the event has a purse of just over $3 million, second to the Melbourne Cup. Hosted by the Moonee Valley Racing Club in Melbourne on turf, the Cox Plate is dubbed ‘the greatest two minutes of sport’.
The Cox Plate was tactically positioned on the racing calendar between the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup’s, so therefore, the outcome carries a lot of weight. With names such as Phar Lap, Super Impose, Might and Power and in more recent years Makybe Diva and Fields of Omagh to win the race, it is no wonder the event is so established.
Cox Plate Information
- Date: October
- Carnival: Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival
- Racecourse: Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne
- Distance: 2,040 metres
- Race Type: 3YO+ weight-for-age
- Group Listing: Group 1
- Prize Money: $3,050,000
Cox Plate History
The first Cox Plate took place in 1922, and was won by Violencello, a seven-year-old stallion from England, with a purse of 1000 pounds. Since 1999, the Cox Plate has been the only race in the southern hemisphere to be part of the World Series, spanning over four continents, and offering the crème-de-la-crème of international horse racing.
The Cox Plate is named after William Samuel Cox, the founder of Monee Valley Racecourse, and was the first of its kind run in his honour.
