Wikipedia

Caulfield Cup

The Caulfield Cup is a Melbourne Racing Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race held under handicap conditions. This is for all horses aged three years old and older. It takes place over a distance of 2400 metres at the Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia in mid October. The prize money is A$5,000,000.[1]

Caulfield Cup
Group 1 race
1954 & 1955 winner Rising Fast
LocationCaulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia
Inaugurated1879
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
SponsorCarlton Draught (2022)
Race information
Distance2,400 metres (1.5 miles)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationHorses three years old and older
WeightHandicap
Purse$5,000,000 (2022)
BonusesWinner ballot exemption from the Melbourne Cup

History

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The race has become one of Australia's richest Thoroughbred horse races. The race is held annually on the third Saturday in October, the third day and final day of the Caulfield Carnival. Performances in the Caulfield Cup are one of the possible qualification methods for a run in the Melbourne Cup which is held 17 days later.

 
1932 winner – Rogilla George Robinson
 
1906 & 1907 winner – Poseidon
 
1930 winner – Amounis Harold Jones
 
1931 winner – Denis Boy Andy Knox
 
1912 & 1914 winner – Uncle Sam
 
1920 winner – Eurythmic
 
1915 winner – Lavendo

During World War II the race was run at Flemington Racecourse and in 1943 the race was run in divisions.[2]

Race qualification

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The field is limited to 18 starters with four emergency entries which is decided by a ballot system. The prize money, wins and placings in lead up races are among the major factors that determine the eligibility of a horse. Automatic entry is awarded to winners of the Toorak Handicap, Herbert Power Stakes and the Mornington Cup.[3]

Sponsors

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Distance

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  • 1879–1971 - 11⁄2 miles (~2400 metres)
  • 1972 onwards - 2400 metres

Grade

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  • 1879–1978 - Principal Race
  • 1979 onwards - Group 1

Dual winners

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The following thoroughbreds have won two Caulfield Cups.

Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double wins

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The following thoroughbreds have won the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double in the same year.

Caulfield Cup-Cox Plate double wins

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The following thoroughbreds have won the Caulfield Cup-Cox Plate double in the same year.

Caulfield Cup-Cox Plate-Melbourne Cup triple wins

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The following thoroughbreds have won the Caulfield Cup-Cox Plate-Melbourne Cup triple in the same year.

Notable runnings

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  • Australian Test cricketer Clem Hill was the handicapper for the Victoria Amateur Turf Club (VATC) and responsible for setting the weights for the Caulfield Cup from 1937 to 1943.
  • Jockey Scobie Breasley rode the winner of four consecutive Caulfield Cups from 1942 to 1945. This included a division of the 1943 race, which was run in two divisions. He also holds the record for most wins by a jockey of the race - five wins.[3]
  • Trainer Bart Cummings holds the record for training Caulfield Cup winners with seven - Galilee, Big Philou, Leilani, Ming Dynasty (twice), Let's Elope and Viewed.[3]
  • 2014 Caulfield Cup winner Admire Rakti died after his run in the Melbourne Cup from natural causes.[6]
  • Horses trained outside Australia and New Zealand have been participating in the race since 1998. Six have won the race. They are Taufan's Melody (1998) for British trainer Lady Herries, All the Good (2008) and Best Solution (2018) for Saeed bin Suroor of the Godolphin stables, Dunaden (2012) for French trainer Mikel Delzangles, Admire Rakti (2014) for Japanese trainer Tomoyuki Umeda and Mer De Glace (2019) for Japanese trainer Hisashi Shimizu.
  • The worst race fall in Australian history occurred at the 1885 Caulfield Cup when 15 of the 44 horses competing fell as they turned onto the straight, resulting in the death of 25-year-old jockey Donald Nicolson.[7]
  • In 2007, Maldivian and Eskimo Queen were late scratchings. Maldivian, shortest price favourite for 41 years, misbehaved and injured himself in the starting stalls, frightening second priced favourite Eskimo Queen who for a time was trapped beneath the stalls.[8][9] The race started almost nine minutes late.

1924 and 1934 racebooks

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  •  
    Front cover of the 1924 VATC Caulfield Cup racebook
  •  
    Inside cover showing raceday officials & visitor information
  •  
    Starters and results showing the winner, Purser
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    Starters and results of the 1924 Caulfield Cup racebook
  •  
    Back cover showing entrance gate and railway charges
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    Front cover of the 1934 VATC Caulfield Cup racebook
  •  
    Starters and results showing the winner, Journal
  •  
    Starters and results of the 1934 Caulfield Cup racebook

1950 racebook

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  •  
    Front cover 1950 VATC Caulfield Cup racebook
  •  
    1950 VATC Caulfield Cup showing raceday officials
  •  
    1950 Caulfield Cup racebook showing starters & results
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    1950 Caulfield Cup racebook showing the winner, Grey Boots
  •  
    1950 Caulfield Cup racebook showing starters & results
  •  
    Back cover showing railway arrangements and charges at the entrance gates
 
Tranquil Star, 1942 winner

Winners since 1988

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Year
 Winner
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Time
2024 Duke De Sessa[10] Harry Coffey Ciaron Maher 2:31.42
2023 Without A Fight[11] Mark Zahra Anthony & Sam Freedman 2:26.45
2022 Durston[12] Michael Dee Chris Waller 2:33.68
2021 Incentivise[13] Brett Prebble Peter Moody 2:30.88
2020 Verry Elleegant[14] Mark Zahra Chris Waller 2:31.97
2019 Mer De Glace[15] Damian Lane Hisashi Shimizu 2:30.16
2018 Best Solution[16] Pat Cosgrave Saeed bin Suroor 2.33.72
2017 Boom Time[17] Cory Parish David and Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig 2:27.66
2016 Jameka[18] Nicholas Hall Ciaron Maher 2:28.88
2015 Mongolian Khan[19] Opie Bosson Murray Baker 2:27.76
2014 Admire Rakti[20] Zac Purton Tomoyuki Yumeda 2:32.12
2013 Fawkner[21] Nicholas Hall Robert Hickmott 2:29.10
2012 Dunaden[22] Craig Williams Mikel Delzangles 2:28.82
2011 Southern Speed[23] Craig Williams Leon MacDonald & Andrew Gluyas 2:28.44
2010 Descarado[24] Chris Munce Gai Waterhouse 2:35.69
2009 Viewed[25] Brad Rawiller Bart Cummings 2:29.70
2008 All The Good[26] Kerrin McEvoy Saeed bin Suroor 2:27.45
2007 Master O'Reilly[27] Vlad Duric Danny O'Brien 2:26.15
2006 Tawqeet[28] Dwayne Dunn David Hayes 2:27.69
2005 Railings[29] Greg Childs John Hawkes 2:27.96
2004 Elvstroem[30] Nash Rawiller Tony Vasil 2:31.37
2003 Mummify[31] Danny Nikolic Lee Freedman 2:25.98
2002 Northerly[32] Greg Childs Fred R. Kersley 2:30.38
2001 Ethereal[33] Scott Seamer Sheila Laxon 2:30.93
2000 Diatribe[34] Jim Cassidy George Hanlon 2:25.32
1999 Sky Heights[35] Damien Oliver Colin Alderson 2:30.10
1998 Taufan's Melody[36] Ray Cochrane Lady Herries 2:30.16
1997 Might And Power[37] Jim Cassidy Jack Denham 2:26.20
1996 Arctic Scent[38] Brent Stanley Jim Mason 2:30.27
1995 Doriemus[39] Damien Oliver Lee Freedman 2:28.10
1994 Paris Lane[40] Damien Oliver Lee Freedman 2:26.50
1993 Fraar[41] Peter Hutchinson David Hayes 2:28.00
1992 Mannerism[42] Damien Oliver Lee Freedman 2:34.90
1991 Let's Elope[43] Steven King Bart Cummings 2:30.30
1990 Sydeston[44] Mick Dittman Bob Hoysted 2:31.60
1989 Cole Diesel[45] Michael Kerr Greg Mance 2:27.20
1988 Imposera[46] Brian York Ross McDonald 2:29.40

Earlier winners

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  • 1987 – Lord Reims
  • 1986 – Mr. Lomondy
  • 1985 – Tristarc
  • 1984 – Affinity
  • 1983 – Hayai
  • 1982 – Gurner's Lane
  • 1981 – Silver Bounty
  • 1980 – Ming Dynasty
  • 1979 – Mighty Kingdom
  • 1978 – Taksan
  • 1977 – Ming Dynasty
  • 1976 – How Now
  • 1975 – Analight
  • 1974 – Leilani
  • 1973 – Swell Time
  • 1972 – Sobar
  • 1971 – Gay Icarus
  • 1970 – Beer Street
  • 1969 – ¶ Big Philou
  • 1968 – Bunratty Castle
  • 1967 – Tobin Bronze
  • 1966 – Galilee
  • 1965 – Bore Head
  • 1964 – Yangtze
  • 1963 – Sometime
  • 1962 – Even Stevens
  • 1961 – Summer Fair
  • 1960 – Ilumquh
  • 1959 – Regal Wench
  • 1958 – Sir Blink
  • 1957 – Tulloch
  • 1956 – Redcraze
  • 1955 – Rising Fast
  • 1954 – Rising Fast
  • 1953 – My Hero
  • 1952 – Peshawar
  • 1951 – Basha Felika
  • 1950 – Grey Boots
  • 1949 – Lincoln
  • 1948 – Red Fury
  • 1947 – Columnist
  • 1946 – Royal Gem
  • 1945 – St. Fairy
  • 1944 – Counsel
  • 1943 – † Saint Warden / Skipton
  • 1942 – Tranquil Star
  • 1941 – Velocity
  • 1940 – Beaulivre
  • 1939 – Rivette
  • 1938 – Buzalong
  • 1937 – The Trump
  • 1936 – Northwind
  • 1935 – Palfresco
  • 1934 – Journal
  • 1933 – Gaine Carrington
  • 1932 – Rogilla
  • 1931 – Denis Boy
  • 1930 – Amounis
  • 1929 – High Syce
  • 1928 – Maple
  • 1927 – Textile
  • 1926 – Manfred
  • 1925 – Whittier
  • 1924 – Purser
  • 1923 – Wynette
  • 1922 – Whittier
  • 1921 – Violoncello
  • 1920 – Eurythmic
  • 1919 – Lucknow
  • 1918 – King Offa
  • 1917 – Bronzetti
  • 1916 – Shepherd King
  • 1915 – Lavendo
  • 1914 – Uncle Sam
  • 1913 – Aurifer
  • 1912 – Uncle Sam
  • 1911 – Lady Medallist
  • 1910 – Flavinius
  • 1909 – ‡ Blue Book / Aborigine
  • 1908 – Maranui
  • 1907 – Poseidon
  • 1906 – Poseidon
  • 1905 – Marvel Loch
  • 1904 – Murmur[47]
  • 1903 – Sweet Nell
  • 1902 – Lieutenant Bill
  • 1901 – Hymettus
  • 1900 – Ingliston
  • 1899 – Dewey
  • 1898 – Hymettus
  • 1897 – Amberite
  • 1896 – Cremorne
  • 1895 – Waterfall
  • 1894 – Paris
  • 1893 – ¶ Sainfoin
  • 1892 – Paris
  • 1891 – G'naroo
  • 1890 – Vengeance
  • 1889 – Boz
  • 1888 – Chicago
  • 1887 – Oakleigh
  • 1886 – Ben Bolt
  • 1885 – Grace Darling[7]
  • 1884 – Blink Bonny
  • 1883 – Calma
  • 1882 – Little Jack
  • 1881 – Master Avenel
  • 1881 – Blue Ribbon
  • 1880 – Tom Kirk
  • 1879 – Newminster

Key:
† Run in divisions[2]
¶ Won by Protest[3]
‡ Dead heat

Attendance

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  • 2024 – 25,676[48]
  • 2023 – 25,121
  • 2022 – 24,289
  • 2021 – 0 (no public attendance due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions)[49]
  • 2020 – 0 (no public attendance due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions)[50]
  • 2019 – 28,000
  • 2018 – 30,000
  • 2017 – 30,000
  • 2015 – 30,000
  • 2014 – 32,000
  • 2013 – 33,056
  • 2012 – 35,500
  • 2011 – 30,097
  • 2010 – 23,697
  • 2009 – 43,210
  • 2008 – 51,328
  • 2007 – 48,529
  • 2006 – 47,551[51]
  • 2005 – 52,000
  • 2004 – 51,015
  • 2003 – 46,873

[52]

Sponsorship

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In March 2015, BMW Australia and the Melbourne Racing Club announced a reunion in partnership, effective as of August 1, 2015[53] after the eight-year partnership ended in 2014.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Prize Money increase for the Caulfield Cup". Just Horse Racing. 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  2. ^ a b "DETAILS OF CAULFIELD CUP MEETING (Race Results from 23 October 1943)". The Argus. Trove. 25 October 1943. p. 9 col. 1–2. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d "Winners and Past Results for the Caulfield Cup". Progroupracing.com (Aus). 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Article Dashboard". Article Dashboard. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  5. ^ Haynes, Jack (7 November 2023). "'I got a bit of flak' - Mark Zahra justified as Without A Fight wins Melbourne Cup with Vauban well beaten". Racing Post. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Admire Rakti died from natural causes". Just Horse Racing. justhorseracing.com.au. 21 September 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  7. ^ a b "THE CAULFIELD CUP FATALITY. FALL OF FIFTEEN HORSES. ONE JOCKEY KILLED AND SEVERAL INJURED". The Argus. Trove. 19 October 1885. p. 6 col. 4. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Blood, tears as trainer's luck ends". Theage.com.au. 20 October 2007. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  9. ^ "Injuries mar race". Theage.com.au. 20 October 2007. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  10. ^ "Racing.com". www.racing.com.
  11. ^ "Racing.com". www.racing.com.
  12. ^ "Racing.com". www.racing.com.
  13. ^ "Racing.com". www.racing.com.
  14. ^ "Racing.com". www.racing.com.
  15. ^ "Racing.com". www.racing.com.
  16. ^ "Racing.com". www.racing.com.
  17. ^ "BMW Caulfield Cup".
  18. ^ "BMW Caulfield Cup".
  19. ^ "BMW Caulfield Cup". RACING.COM.
  20. ^ "Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup".
  21. ^ "BMW Caulfield Cup".
  22. ^ "BMW Caulfield Cup". RACING.COM.
  23. ^ "BMW Caulfield Cup". RACING.COM.
  24. ^ "BMW Caulfield Cup". RACING.COM.
  25. ^ "BMW Caulfield Cup". RACING.COM.
  26. ^ "BMW Caulfield Cup". RACING.COM.
  27. ^ "BMW Caulfield Cup". RACING.COM.
  28. ^ "BMW Caulfield Cup". RACING.COM.
  29. ^ "Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup". RACING.COM.
  30. ^ "Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup". RACING.COM.
  31. ^ "Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup". RACING.COM.
  32. ^ "Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup". RACING.COM.
  33. ^ "Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup". RACING.COM.
  34. ^ "CARLTON DRAUGHT CAULFIELD CUP". RACING.COM.
  35. ^ "1999 Caulfield Cup | MillersGuide".
  36. ^ "1998 Caulfield Cup | MillersGuide".
  37. ^ "1997 Caulfield Cup | MillersGuide".
  38. ^ "1996 Caulfield Cup | MillersGuide".
  39. ^ "1995 Caulfield Cup | MillersGuide".
  40. ^ "1994 Caulfield Cup | MillersGuide".
  41. ^ "1993 Caulfield Cup | MillersGuide".
  42. ^ "1992 Caulfield Cup | MillersGuide".
  43. ^ "1991 Caulfield Cup | MillersGuide".
  44. ^ "1990 Caulfield Cup | MillersGuide".
  45. ^ "1989 Caulfield Cup | MillersGuide".
  46. ^ "1988 Caulfield Cup | MillersGuide".
  47. ^ Called 'Whisper' the horse Jack West is supposed to have rigged to win the Cup, according to Frank Hardy 's novel Power Without Glory.
  48. ^ Heffernan, Madeleine. "Bravado, fashion and protesters on show at the Caulfield Cup". The Age. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  49. ^ Ractliffe, Damien (20 September 2021). "MRC concedes defeat on Caulfield Cup crowds". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  50. ^ Hinds, Richard (5 October 2020). "Racing has kept going against the odds amid COVID-19, but what will the Spring Carnival look like?". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  51. ^ Tawqeet brings BMW Caulfield Cup glory for Hayes and Dunn
  52. ^ "Caulfield Racecourse Crowds". Austadiums. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  53. ^ "BMW partners MRC for 2015 Caulfield Cup Carnival". www.horseracingshares.com.au. March 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
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