Apart from cricket and football, horse racing is one of Australia’s most beloved sports. For years, thoroughbred competitions have contributed significantly to the country’s economy, raking in over AUD$ 560 million in federal taxes. (1)
The Australian horse racing calendar is filled to the brim with both local and international events, the most famous of which is the Melbourne Cup. This national holiday, also called “the race that stops the nation”, attracts over 700 million spectators globally. But there are other races worth looking into, especially for punters. (1)
Whether you prefer to watch on the sidelines or participate in the fun by betting, it’s crucial to keep track of the Australian racing calendar so that you don’t miss out. Below are some exciting things to know about Australia’s racing schedule.
- There are thousands of thoroughbred races in the country
According to the Parliament House, over 19,000 horse races are happening in Australia’s various territories every year, filling the Australian horse racing calendar with exciting games year-round. These runs are managed and supervised by 371 racing clubs, with an estimated audience count of 4.5 million. For instance, more than 700 annual race meetings are organised by at least 134 thoroughbred clubs in New South Wales. These yearly events record over 1.2 million people in attendance. (1) (2)
Spectators and bettors alike need to keep their eyes peeled for the latest updates by constantly monitoring online sources and reputable sites. To find horse racing tips and the best bet offers and updates to the Australian horse racing calendar, you may view the organising club’s website, government-sponsored sites, and betting sites for detailed information.
For the best insights, horse performance history and in-depth analysis, it’s best to check out the videos uploaded on https://www.youtube.com/c/PuntersAustralia, especially if you’re a beginner.
- The Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival happens in Q1
Besides the Melbourne Cup happening every Tuesday of November, another series of horse racing events happens in the first quarter of the Australian horse racing calendar. The Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival is also something to look forward to for all thoroughbred enthusiasts out there. This fun-filled activity features 45 group races and a total of AUD$37 million in pot money. This year, it kicked off on March 26 and ran until April 16, with both days being Saturday, as is the tradition.
The Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival boasts of two of the most famous thoroughbred racing competitions such as:
- Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2022
As one of the concluding events for the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, this race is held at the Royal Randwick Racecourse in April. With AUD$ 4,000,000 in prize money for 2022, it’s the country’s third-biggest weight-for-age or WFA competition.
Prizewinners of the carnival’s critical races will meet again for The Star Championships, otherwise known as the Grand Finals of Australian Racing. (3)
- The biggest and most popular competitions in the Australian racing calendar happen in Q4
The Australian horse racing calendar peaks during the spring and summer, signalled by the opening of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. The carnival may be an excellent opportunity for newbie punters and occasional bettors to hone their skills after learning more about sports betting for beginners.
Three of Australia’s most prominent races, the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups and the W.S Cox Plate, occur within the carnival period, opening in August and closing in November.
- Melbourne Cup 2022
The king of thoroughbred races is the most awaited event in the Australian horse racing calendar, giving away the richest prize pegged at AUD$14 million for this year. The Flemington Racecourse has been home to the Melbourne Cup since 1861, which continued amid the pandemic in 2020. It runs every first Tuesday of November, which coincides with the first day of the month this year.
- W.S Cox Plate 2022
The William Samuel Cox is one of the toughest horse racing competitions in the Australian horse racing calendar. Thoroughbreds tough it out at the Mooney Valley racecourse every October, about three weeks before the Melbourne Cup. Most of the race’s top performers often earn slots to compete in the latter. A total of AUD$ 5,000,000 awaits the W.S Cox Plate 2022 winners.
- Caulfield Cup 2022
The Caulfield Cup 2022, which happens on October 15, is another event to determine the likely top performers of the Melbourne Cup. Like the latter, it’s also touted as one of the richest handicap games with a prize pot of AUD$ 5,000,000. Besides being one of the most prominent competitions in the Australian horse racing calendar, it’s also one of the oldest, introduced in 1879. (3)
Concluding Thoughts
The Australian horse racing calendar is filled with activities all year round. So, there’s always an opportunity to socialise and learn about the science and art of sports betting.
Remember that betting is part luck and part skills. So, before placing your bets, consult various online sources to know how to make an intelligent decision. This holds whether you’re a rookie or a skilled bettor.
References
- “Scope and contribution of Australian thoroughbred racing”, Source:
https://www.aph.gov.au - “Size and Scope of the NSW Racing Industry”, Source: https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/119254/Size-and-scope-of-the-NSW-racing-industry.pdf
- “The most famous horse racing events in Australia”, Source: https://www.victorharbortimes.com.au/story/7467997/the-most-famous-horse-racing-events-in-australia/
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