Melbourne Cup 2023
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Updated August 2023
The Melbourne Cup is an annual horse race held every year during November in Australia. It is considered the premier Australian Thoroughbred horse race and is run at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria. It is often referred to as the “race that stops the nation”. But it is not just a horse race.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival includes the prestigious Melbourne Cup day, the Victoria Derby, the Oaks and the Stakes races. The carnival also features the Melbourne Cup race itself.
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Melbourne Cup 2023 Date
What date is the Melbourne Cup?
The Melbourne Cup 2023 date is on the 7th of November 2023. (The Melbourne Cup race takes place every year on the first Tuesday in November. )
The Melbourne Cup Carnival 2023 dates are between the 4th and 11th of November. Some people refer to this as the “cup week”.
What time is the Melbourne Cup 2023?
The time of the Melbourne Cup race in 2023 is at 3pm, just as every year.
Check the official page for up to date information on all the races and times for the carnival. More details will be announced in 2023.
Location
Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria.
What is the address of the Flemington Racecourse?
448 Epsom Road, Flemington
Melbourne Cup 2023 Public Holiday
The 2023 public holiday for Melbourne and some parts of Victoria is on the Tuesday, 7th November in 2023.
It’s true, it is a public holiday in Melbourne. And since 1877 as well! This goes to show just how important this event is to the history of Melbourne and Victoria. It really is the race that stops the nation.
History
The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most famous horse race. The first Melbourne Cup was in 1861. And it has since grown in popularity and gained more and more recognition world wide. The prestigious horse race and event has a significant cultural and historic meaning for Melbourne, the state of Victoria and Australia and Australians in general.
Since the original race in the 19th century, there was a big increase in international competitors, attendance and popularity especially towards the end of the 20th century. Some iconic race moments include the victory of the immortalised Phar Lap in 1930 and the hat trick of Makybe Diva, winning three Cups in a row between 2003 and 2005. The Cup is associated with the arrival of spring and a festive Melbourne atmosphere of glamour, parties and fashion.
In recent years, it has attracted some controversy surrounding the issues of animal welfare and the behaviour of some attendees as well as the clash of some traditional and modern values.
The Melbourne Cup continues to captivate local and international audiences and still maintains its status as a special sporting and festive occasion.
Tickets
Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster and available now.
Do you love Melbourne Cup race? Let me know in the comments and feel free to offer any suggestions or tips on how Melbournians and visitors alike can enjoy the carnival!
References:
- Official Victoria Racing Club 2023 page, link here, accessed July 2023
Important to note: Event specifics including the Cup, Carnival and cup week can change at any time. While we make every effort to keep the information up to date and factual, no guarantees are made to the accuracy of the information provided. Prior to booking or planning any attendance, you are reminded to check the official Cup Carnival website carefully for the latest and official information to assist your visit and to avoid disappointment.
