Caulfield Cup carnival tickets discounted to 2016 prices amid cost of living crisis

Ticket costs for Caulfield’s major spring race days have been wound back to what fans would have paid in 2016 – and entry to one event will be free. See all the prices here.

Anna Lynn, in a Jason Greco dress, and Tate Short, in an Arthur Galen suit, are excited about Caulfield’s cut-price tickets announcement. Pictured with former racehorse Bare at Caulfield Racecourse. Picture: David Caird

Caulfield Cup organisers will slash the price of spring carnival tickets and open the gates to one major event for free in a bid to lure more fans trackside during the cost of living crisis.

In a move that will see entry prices cut by as much as 42 per cent, the Melbourne Racing Club will on Thursday announce ticket costs are being wound back to what fans would have paid in 2016.

The new deal will see early bird ticket prices to the Caulfield Cup slashed from $60 to $40 and race day entry fees cut from $75 to $60.

In another win for sports fans hoping to get their racing fix without breaking the bank, two new discount ticket packages will be introduced.

A “Carnival” ticket will give fans access to all three days of the Caulfield Cup series for $60.

And a new “Group” package will get four mates into the Guineas for $110 – $27.50 each – and the Caulfield Cup for $150 – $37.50 each.

Entry to the Caulfield Social will be free.

MRC spokeswoman Ash Curnow said making the races affordable was important as people weighed up how to spend their hard earned on entertainment.

Anna Lynn and Tate Short on the Caulfield Racecourse clock tower. Picture: David Caird

“It’s a key thing for us and a really significant focus this year, knowing that people’s discretionary spend is pretty much as tight as it’s ever been,’’ she said.

“If we want them to consider spending some of that with us we need to make the price point as compelling as possible and we do think we’ve done that for the first time in a really long time.’’

Caulfield Guineas ticket prices will be cut by $15 on race day and $22 cheaper via early bird purchases.

“We think that group ticketing offer really plays to the organiser in the group who can convince all their mates in the group chat to encourage them to get in and buy at a discounted price as a collective,’’ she said.

“And equally the carnival ticket across all three days, it’s a unique experience and if people want to dive into racing and experience all its different facets it's a great way to see Caulfield at its best across three days.’’

The theme of this year’s Caulfield Cup Carnival, kicking off on October 12, will be “Hearts will race”.

“We are really trying to make sure that everyone sees we do have that functional benefit of being super close to the action but also being easy to get in and out of and easy to travel across the course because of our boutique size,’’ she said.

It comes as MRC chief financial officer Brent Westerbeek has been appointed interim chief executive of the club amid a search for a replacement for Josh Blanksby who will step down after the carnival.

Pre sale tickets are available until September 11.

mrc.racing.com

Caulfield Cup Carnival prices

Early Bird (until September 11):

Caulfield Guineas

Last year – $52

This year – $30

Caulfield Cup

Last year – $60

This year – $40

Caulfield Social – Free

Race day:

Caulfield Guineas

Last year – $65

This year – $50

Caulfield Cup

Last year – $75

This year – $60

Caulfield Social – Free

New early bird group ticket for four people:

Caulfield Guineas – $110

Caulfield Cup – $150

New early bird Carnival pass to all three days: $60

Special gift for horses’s birthday

For the horses’s birthday this year, Racing Victoria has a gift for equines and humans alike.

Olivia Zagorski, 10, wishes retired racehorse Brad a happy 21st birthday at Riding for the Disabled Association in Oaklands Junction. Picture: Jay Town/Racing Photos

The organisation is celebrating the special day shared by horses across the southern hemisphere by extending its $50,000 partnership with the Riding for the Disabled Association of Victoria.

The commitment will help RDAV continue to deliver a range of programs and opportunities for people of all ages living with a disability to bond with horses, while ensuring more retired racehorses have pathways to second careers once they step off the track.

RV general manager for equine welfare Melissa Ware said RDAV’s work made “a huge difference, both to the lives of people with disabilities and to their retired racehorses”.

“Thoroughbreds are highly intelligent animals who are very sensitive to the needs of the people they work with, which can make them a great fit for RDAV’s programs,” she added.

RDAV president Tanya Twaits said the grassroots non-profit organisation existed to ensure anyone living with a disability had the opportunity to “experience the unique and powerful horse-human connection that our programs offer”.

Because foals are typically born in August, after an 11-month gestation period for mares, a standardised birthday of August 1 is given to all horses to fit in the breeding season.

Originally published as Caulfield Cup carnival tickets discounted to 2016 prices amid cost of living crisis