Caulfield Racecourse to host NBA greats on new basketball court on Caulfield Blue Diamond Day

A trackside basketball court is being installed and two of Michael Jordan’s teammates are coming to Caulfield Racecourse in a bold bid to attract a “different, younger” crowd to the races.

Jockey Mark Zahra wearing his Bulls jersey ahead of the trackside basketball court being built at on track at Caulfield Racecourse. Picture: Brendan Beckett

A basketball court will be built trackside at Caulfield Racecourse and NBA championship teammates of Michael Jordan paraded on course as the Melbourne Racing Club takes a shot at revamping a day at the races.

Six-time NBA champ Scottie Pippen and his Chicago Bulls teammate Horace Grant will take to the court, greet fans and watch champions of the turf compete at Caulfield Blue Diamond Day on February 24.

Tickets to the event will also be given away for free, with betting giant Sportsbet celebrating the first major race day of its new sponsorship of the MRC by footing the bill for all adult general admission passes.

What the trackside court will look like at Caulfield.

Chicago Bulls teammates Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant will take to the court.

Tickets to Caulfield Blue Diamond Day on February 24 are free.

The basketball court will take over the front lawn, with a DJ booth, bleachers and shaded seating for fans.

MRC chief executive Josh Blanksby said it was a bold “entertainment and sporting activation” aimed at attracting a “different, younger and more socially active audience trackside.

“This is a great opportunity to expose basketball fans to racing, and vice versa,” he said.

The NBA greats will be blindfolded in a head-to-head free throw shoot out against some of racing’s greatest jockeys, compete in a game of H.O.R.S.E and take part in a question-and-answer session.

The basketball move has been described as a bold ‘entertainment and sporting activation’. Picture: Brendan Beckett

On track, action will be headlined by the Group 1, $2 million Blue Diamond Stakes which will see the best two-year olds from around Australia converge on Caulfield to race for the title of

Victoria’s premier juvenile.

Sportsbet chief executive Barni Evans said the day would bring a new flavour to racing.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer all adults free GA tickets and couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the first big race day of 2024,” he said.

Details: mrc.racing.com

Originally published as Caulfield Racecourse to host NBA greats on new basketball court on Caulfield Blue Diamond Day