Flemington Racecourse

Flemington Park Racecourse hosts the annual Melbourne Spring Carnival of Racing, the most prestigious series of race meetings in Australia. The racecourse is famous for the capacity crowds that pack into the grandstands for the running of the Melbourne Cup and the VRC Derby Stakes, with up to 120,000 spectators attending each event.

Located adjacent to the Maribyrnong River, Flemington Racecourse is also renowned for the scenic beauty of its grounds, which features one of the largest rose gardens in Australia. The racecourse is serviced by its own railway station, and is recognised as an Australian Heritage site on the Australian National Heritage List.

Racetrack Layout and Description

The primary racetrack at Flemington Park covers a distance of 1.5 miles and is laid out in a pear shape. The unique shape of the racecourse requires jockeys and racehorses to navigate a tight corner on their way to the finishing post. The track also includes a ¾ of a mile straight.

Variable weather conditions in Melbourne make ground predictions for major races at Flemington Park tricky. Ground conditions can rapidly shift from fast to heavy, which has a substantial impact on the outcome of races held there. The draw also has a significant impact on the results of races at Flemington Racecourse, with inside draws having a significant advantage over the wide draws.

Flemington Racecourse also features a 3 mile diamond-shaped jumps racing course for winter racing.

The Genesis of Thoroughbred Racing in Victoria

The present site of Flemington Park Racecourse has been hosting horse races since the 19th century. Racing was first organised on the salt flats on the outskirts of Melbourne in the 1840s, on land leased from the local butcher, Robert Fleming.

The popularity of racing in the area grew rapidly, and within the space of a few years an informal settlement had grown up around the racetrack to service the needs of spectators and trainers. This area was named ‘Fleming’s Town’, a name that was retained by the Victorian Turf Club when they leased the ground in 1848.

Racing at Flemington became even more popular during the Australian Gold Rush, with thousands of gold-prospectors wagering their spoils on the races held in Melbourne. Facilities improved steadily, and within decades Flemington Racecourse was recognised as the premier destination for racing fans in Melbourne.

Flemington Racecourse has been upgraded at various times during its history. The most recent round of renovations focused on improving the drainage of the notoriously unpredictable Flemington turf, and the creation of additional seating to the already vast Flemington Park grandstands.