MRC maintains Caulfield Cup prizemoney as part of strategy to enhance programming and attract more World Pool fixtures
Despite prizemoney increases for the Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate, the MRC says keeping the status quo for the Caulfield Cup was part of a broader strategy for the club.
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Melbourne Racing Club has committed to review Caulfield Cup prizemoney next year.
The Caulfield Cup – the first of three prestigious Victorian spring carnival majors – missed out on an increase this year by design, while the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cupattracted significant boosts.
“We are very comfortable that the $5m prizemoney for the Caulfield Cup is the right setting,” acting MRC chief executive Tanya Fullarton said.
“Adding $1m to Caulfield Cup prizemoney would not improve the field at all and that would be a less sensible application of money we have used to enhance our broader stakes races.
“We will review prizemoney for our marquee races each year to make sure they maintain their competitiveness and prestige.”
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Racing Victoria, responsible for prizemoney, announced stakes for the 2025-26 season last week.
The peak body afforded clubs an opportunity to make their own strategic changes after significant consultation and collaboration through successful industry forums.
Moonee Valley Racing Club raised the Cox Plate to $6m (up from $5) to mark a historic last running of Australia’s best race on the traditional circuit before its racecourse redevelopment.
Victoria Racing Club lifted the Melbourne Cup to $10m (up from $8.75m) to reflect its importance to the Australian sporting and cultural landscape.
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The MRC chose to share more than $2m in prizemoney top-ups across multiple Group 1 and feature races.
Fullarton said the MRC wanted to get its “race programming right” before any further prizemoney consideration.
“You need the right races on the right days,” Fullarton said.
“We all want to see the best horses competing and every major MRC race day in the spring is now significantly better and more exciting.
“Racing Victoria has done a good job and listened to clubs, owners, trainers and breeders in fixing spring programming … and respect the racing pattern.”
Program changes included Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (September 20) and Thousand Guineas (October 18) back to traditional slots after being tried in mid-November since 2023.
The Group 1 CF Orr Stakes moved to November 15 – from autumn – and Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes prizemoney boosted to $1m – up from $200,000 – rounded out a Caulfield spring calendar reshuffle.
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The four multiple $1m/Group 1 spring race cards could help MRC “qualify” for more lucrative World Pool fixtures.
“World Pool is a brilliant innovation led by the Hong Kong Jockey Club that yields extra revenue to the club and a deeper pool for Australian punters,” Fullarton said.
The MRC is set to advance talks this week with HKJC counterparts on future World Pool events.
Caulfield hosted only two World Pool fixtures this season, the 2024 Caulfield Cup and five races on Futurity Stakes day last February.
The HKJC-powered World Pool is a co-mingled global betting market on selected race dates.
The World Pool has potential to return stronger tote dividends, especially on horses, trainers and jockeys known to Hong Kong punters, while the host jurisdictions and race clubs benefit directly from royalty arrangements.
Originally published as MRC maintains Caulfield Cup prizemoney as part of strategy to enhance programming and attract more World Pool fixtures
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