Victoria Racing Club ramps up 2026 Cox Plate interest at Flemington
Victoria Racing Club has ramped up its bid to host the 2026 Cox Plate.
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Victoria Racing Club has ramped up its bid to host the 2026 Cox Plate.
Flemington management initially held reservations about the historic Cox Plate fixture, available only as spiritual home Moonee Valley is redeveloped, due to impacts on Melbourne Cup Carnival crowds.
How the racecourse would cope with an additional, up to 10-race card, meeting seven days’ before Derby Day, the start of the 37-race four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival, also weighed on the VRC bid.
VRC Head of Racing Leigh Jordon said the club would excited to host the 2026 Cox Plate.
“It would be great for industry and for racing people if there were 50,000-60,000 people here, it would be a great event,” Jordon said.
Melbourne Racing Club and Southside Racing also lodged applications with Moonee Valley Racing Club to host the 2026 Cox Plate.
Commercial in confidence negotiations include economics of the transferred Cox Plate, splits of costs and revenue, along with existing sponsorship agreements.
Bookmaker Ladbrokes has a major presence at The Valley and naming rights for the Cox Plate.
Tabcorp and Sportsbet sponsor Flemington and Caulfield respectively.
Southside Racing has agreements with both Ladbrokes (Cranbourne) and Sportsbet (Pakenham).
Racing Victoria has monitored the situation from a distance, largely happy with the bidding process.
Sources not authorised to speak publicly said Flemington would be the regulator’s preferred choice.
Flemington typically has the strongest wagering and attendance, while the course proper is among the best in the world.
Jordon indicated any initial VRC concerns had been addressed.
“We obviously applied for the race,” Jordon said.
“The more we look into the process we think it would be great here for the industry.
“I’m sure racegoers would love to see it here at Flemington.”
Jordan backed Liam O’Keeffe, the VRC Head of Racecourse, to deliver the perfect racing surface for the Cox Plate meeting and subsequent Melbourne Cup Carnival fixtures.
“Liam, one of the best track managers going around, has got a plan with the rail and we think we could accommodate (the Cox Plate meeting) and then go into the carnival,” Jordon said.
The 2025 Cox Plate will be the last at The Valley in its current shape.
A decision on 2026 Cox Plate caretaker is likely to be reserved until after The Valley, along with RV and clubs including Southside and Geelong, lock in the upcoming 2025-26 season fixture. The 2026 Cox Plate is part of the 2026-27 schedule.
Originally published as Victoria Racing Club ramps up 2026 Cox Plate interest at Flemington
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