The Australian Cup is a Victoria Racing Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race for horses three years old and older, held under Weight for Age conditions, over a distance of 2000 metres, at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia in March during the VRC Autumn Racing Carnival.[1] Total prize money for the race is A$3,000,000.

Australian Cup
Group I race
Sylvandale, 1935 winner
LocationFlemington Racecourse
Melbourne, Australia
Inaugurated1863
Race typeThoroughbredFlat racing
SponsorTAB (2023)
Race information
Distance2,000 metres
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationHorses three years old and older
Maidens ineligible
WeightWeight for Age
PurseA$3,000,000 (2023)

History edit

The race was once Australia's premier long distance race, raced at a distance of 18 furlongs (3621m) - thus, longer than the Melbourne Cup. In 1943 the race was shortened to 17 furlongs 110 yards to allow the race to be started from the top of Flemington's famous Straight Six, to have bigger fields.[2]

The VRC in the early 1960s shortened the distance to 1+14 miles to attract classier middle distance gallopers.[2]

Stakes were increased from $1 million to $1.5 million in 2016.

Distance edit

  • 1863–1942 - 2+14 miles (~3627m)
  • 1943–1962 – 2 miles 1+12 furlongs (~3528m)
  • 1963 - 1+34 miles (~2821m)
  • 1964–1972 - 1+14 miles (~2015m)
  • 1973 onwards - 2000 metres

Conditions edit

  • 1863–1978 - Handicap
  • 1979–1982 - Weight for Age
  • 1983–1986 - Handicap
  • 1987 onwards - Weight for Age

Grade edit

  • 1863–1979 - Principal Race
  • 1979 onwards - Group 1

Venue edit

In 2007 the race was run at Caulfield Racecourse due to refurbishment work at Flemington Racecourse.[2]

Records edit

Makybe Diva won this race in 2005 in the Australian record time of 1:58:73, which beat Northerly's previous record. The most successful trainer has been Bart Cummings with thirteen wins[2] – 1968, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2008.[3]

The most successful jockey is Tom Hales who won the Australian Cup eight times[4] – Lurline (1875), Richmond (1876), Savanaka (1879), Navigator (1883), Morpeth (1884), Trident (1887), Carlyon (1888), Dreadnought (1890).[5]

1954 racebook edit

Winners edit

  • 2023 - Cascadian[6]
  • 2022 - Duais[7]
  • 2021 - Homesman[8]
  • 2020 - Fifty Stars[9]
  • 2019 - Harlem[10]
  • 2018 - Harlem[11]
  • 2017 - Humidor[12]
  • 2016 - Preferment[a][13]
  • 2015 - Spillway[14]
  • 2014 - Fiorente[15]
  • 2013 - Super Cool[16]
  • 2012 - Manighar[17]
  • 2011 - Shocking[18]
  • 2010 - Zipping[19]
  • 2009 - Niconero[20]
  • 2008 - Sirmione[21]
  • 2007 - Pompeii Ruler[22]
  • 2006 - Roman Arch[23]
  • 2005 - Makybe Diva[24]
  • 2004 - Lonhro[25]
  • 2003 - Northerly[26]
  • 2002 - Old Comrade[27]
  • 2001 - Northerly[28]
  • 2000 - Intergaze[29]
  • 1999 - Istidaad[30]
  • 1998 - Dane Ripper[31]
  • 1997 - Octagonal[32]
  • 1996 - Saintly[33]
  • 1995 - Starstruck[34]
  • 1994 - Durbridge[35]
  • 1993 - Veandercross[36]
  • 1992 - Let's Elope[37]
  • 1991 - Better Loosen Up[38]
  • 1990 - Vo Rogue[39]
  • 1989 - Vo Rogue[40]
  • 1988 - Dandy Andy[41]
  • 1987 - Bonecrusher[42]
  • 1986 - Playful Princess[43]
  • 1985 - Noble Peer[44]
  • 1984 - Admiral Lincoln[45]
  • 1983 - Spectrum[46]
  • 1982 - Kip
  • 1981 - Hyperno
  • 1980 - Ming Dynasty
  • 1979 - Dulcify
  • 1978 - Ming Dynasty
  • 1977 - Ngawyni
  • 1976 - Lord Dudley
  • 1975 - Leilani
  • 1974 - Bush Win
  • 1973 - Gladman
  • 1972 - Jan's Beau
  • 1971 - Gay Icarus
  • 1970 - Crewman
  • 1969 - †Yootha / Cyron[47]
  • 1968 - Arctic Coast
  • 1967 - Bore Head
  • 1966 - Craftsman
  • 1965 - Craftsman
  • 1964 - Grand Print
  • 1963 - Welkin Prince
  • 1962 - Welkin Prince
  • 1961 - Dream King
  • 1960 - Illoura
  • 1959 - Gaybao
  • 1958 - Dream Son
  • 1957 - Miss High Caste
  • 1956 - Pushover
  • 1955 - Hellion
  • 1954 - Sunish
  • 1953 - Arbroath
  • 1952 - Murray Glen
  • 1951 - Bold Belle
  • 1950 - Bold John
  • 1949 - New Cashmere
  • 1948 - Bannerette
  • 1947 - Sydney James
  • 1946 - Knockarlow
  • 1945 - Spectre
  • 1944 - Similar
  • 1943 - Taramoa
  • 1942 - Wise Counsel
  • 1941 - Saul
  • 1940 - Indignity
  • 1939 - Pageant
  • 1938 - Marauder
  • 1937 - Mutable
  • 1936 - Amalia
  • 1935 - Sylvandale
  • 1934 - Heroic Prince
  • 1933 - Topical
  • 1932 - Madstar
  • 1931 - Carry On
  • 1930 - Nadean
  • 1929 - Some Quality
  • 1928 - Sea Money
  • 1927 - Spearfelt
  • 1926 - Pilliewinkie
  • 1925 - Answer
  • 1924 - Accarak
  • 1923 - Prince Cox
  • 1922 - Harvest King
  • 1921 - The Rover
  • 1920 - Macadam
  • 1919 - New Tipperary
  • 1918 - Defence
  • 1917 - Harriet Graham
  • 1916 - Cherubini
  • 1915 - Lempriere
  • 1914 - Wallalo
  • 1913 - Almissa
  • 1912 - †Saxonite / Prizefighter[48]
  • 1911 - The Parisian
  • 1910 - Orline
  • 1909 - Pendil
  • 1908 - Peru
  • 1907 - Realm
  • 1906 - Tartan
  • 1905 - Lord Ullin's Daughter
  • 1904 - Marmont
  • 1903 - Great Scot
  • 1902 - Blue Metal
  • 1901 - Dreamland
  • 1900 - La Carabine
  • 1899 - Bobadil
  • 1898 - Ayrshire
  • 1897 - Coil
  • 1896 - Idolator
  • 1895 - Havoc
  • 1894 - Broken Hill
  • 1893 - Portsea
  • 1892 - Highborn
  • 1891 - Vengeance
  • 1890 - Dreadnought
  • 1889 - Lochiel
  • 1888 - Carlyon
  • 1887 - Trident
  • 1886 - Malua
  • 1885 - Ringwood
  • 1884 - Morpeth
  • 1883 - Navigator
  • 1882 - Pollio
  • 1881 - Firstwater
  • 1880 - Columbus
  • 1879 - Savanaka
  • 1878 - First King
  • 1877 - Sybil
  • 1876 - Richmond
  • 1875 - Lurline
  • 1874 - Protos
  • 1873 - Warrior
  • 1872 - ‡Saladin
  • 1871 - Nimblefoot
  • 1870 - Norma
  • 1869 - Gasworks
  • 1868 - Shenandoah
  • 1867 - Tim Whiffler
  • 1866 - Woodman
  • 1865 - Woodman
  • 1864 - Nathalie
  • 1863 - Barwon

† Dead heat
‡ Saladin and Flying Dutchman dead heated. After a re-run they dead heated again. On a second re-run Saladin was victorious.[47][49]

  1. ^ In 2016 Awesome Rock crossed the finish line first, but was relegated to second place due to interference.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Winners and Past Results for the Australian Cup". Pro Group Racing Australia. 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d "The changing face of Australia's Cup". Racing Victoria. 6 March 2012. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Bart Cummings - Training Career". Bart Cummings official website. 2013. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013.
  4. ^ "Tom Hales". Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Facts about the Australian Cup". Australian Associated Press. justhorseracing.com. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  6. ^ "2023 Result – TAB Australian Cup (held 25 March 2023)". racingpost.com. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  7. ^ "2022 Result – TAB Australian Cup (held 12 March 2022)". breednet.com.au. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  8. ^ "2021 Result – TAB Australian Cup (held 6 March 2021)". breednet.com. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  9. ^ "2020 Result – TAB Australian Cup (held 7 March 2020)". breednet.com. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  10. ^ "2019 Result – TAB Australian Cup (held 9 March 2019)". breednet.com. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  11. ^ "2018 Result – Tab Australian Cup (held 10 March 2018)". breednet.com. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  12. ^ "2017 Result – Tab Australian Cup (held 11 March 2017)". breednet.com. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  13. ^ "2016 Result – Australian Cup (held 12 March 2016)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  14. ^ "2015 Result – Australian Cup (held 14 March 2015)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  15. ^ "2014 Result – Darley Australian Cup (held 8 March 2014)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  16. ^ "2013 Result – Darley Australian Cup (held 9 March 2013)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  17. ^ "2012 Result – Dubai Australian Cup (held 10 March 2012)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  18. ^ "2011 Result – Dubai Australian Cup (held 12 March 2011)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  19. ^ "2010 Result – Darley Australian Cup (held 13 March 2010)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  20. ^ "2009 Result – Darley Australian Cup (held 7 March 2009)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  21. ^ "2008 Result – Australian Cup (held 8 March 2008)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  22. ^ "2007 Result – Australian Cup (held 10 March 2007)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  23. ^ "2006 Result – Australian Cup (held 11 March 2006)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  24. ^ "2005 Result – Australian Cup (held 12 March 2005)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  25. ^ "2004 Result – Australian Cup (held 8 March 2004)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  26. ^ "2003 Result – Australian Cup (held 10 March 2003)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  27. ^ "2002 Result – Australian Cup (held 11 March 2002)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  28. ^ "2001 Result – Australian Cup (held 12 March 2001)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  29. ^ "2000 Result – Australian Cup (held 13 March 2000)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  30. ^ "1999 Result – Australian Cup (held 8 March 1999)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  31. ^ "1998 Result – Australian Cup (held 9 March 1998)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  32. ^ "1997 Result – Australian Cup (held 10 March 1997)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  33. ^ "1996 Result – Australian Cup (held 11 March 1996)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  34. ^ "1995 Result – Australian Cup (held 11 March 1995)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  35. ^ "1994 Result – Australian Cup (held 12 March 1994)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  36. ^ "1993 Result – Australian Cup (held 8 March 1993)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  37. ^ "1992 Result – Australian Cup (held 9 March 1992)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  38. ^ "1991 Result – Australian Cup (held 11 March 1991)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  39. ^ "1990 Result – Australian Cup (held 12 March 1990)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  40. ^ "1989 Result – Australian Cup (held 11 March 1989)". breednet.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  41. ^ "1988 Result – Australian Cup (held 14 March 1988)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  42. ^ "1987 Result – Australian Cup (held 9 March 1987)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  43. ^ "1986 Result – Australian Cup (held 10 March 1986)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  44. ^ "1985 Result – Australian Cup (held 11 March 1985)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  45. ^ "1984 Result – Australian Cup (held 12 March 1984)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  46. ^ "1983 Result – Australian Cup (held 14 March 1983)". breednet.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  47. ^ a b Kennedy, Tony (11 March 1969). "Great Ride by Moore got Cyron Dead-Heat". The Age, Melbourne. p. 26. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  48. ^ Tatiara (6 March 1912). "V.R.C AUTUMN MEETING. THE AUSTRALIAN CUP. A DEAD HEAT". The Advertiser, Adelaide. Trove Digitized Newspapers. p. 6. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  49. ^ "Australian Cup (Official result and commentary)". The Age, Melbourne. 9 March 1872. p. 4 (column 3). Retrieved 5 March 2013. Third heat – Even betting. The pair ran locked together until close home, when the Dutchman failed, and Saladin won by half a neck.