Flemington Racecourse facts for kids
Main grandstand during the 2013 Melbourne Cup
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| Location | Flemington, Victoria |
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| Coordinates | 37°47′25″S 144°54′45″E / 37.79028°S 144.91250°E |
| Owned by | Victoria Racing Club |
| Date opened | 1840 |
| Capacity | 120,000 |
| Screened on | Seven Network Nine Network |
| Course type | Flat Jumps Steeplechase |
| Notable races | Melbourne Cup Victoria Derby LKS Mackinnon Stakes Emirates Stakes Newmarket Handicap Australian Cup |
Flemington Racecourse is a famous place in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, where horse racing happens. It's best known for hosting the Melbourne Cup. This race is one of the richest horse races in the world. The racecourse is located on flat land right next to the Maribyrnong River. People first started racing horses here way back in March 1840.
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Discovering Flemington Racecourse
The Flemington Racecourse covers a large area of land owned by the government, called Crown land. In 1848, a group called the Victoria Turf Club started using the land. Later, in 1864, they joined with another club to form the Victoria Racing Club (VRC). The very first Melbourne Cup race took place in 1861. A special law in 1871 gave the VRC official control over the racecourse.
The race track itself is shaped like a pear. It has a long, straight section called 'the Straight Six,' which is about 1,200 meters long. The entire track goes around for about 2,312 meters. The final straight part of the track is about 450 meters long for longer races. Horses always run around the track in an anti-clockwise direction.
The racecourse can hold more than 120,000 people! It has three main grandstands where people can watch the races. The biggest crowd ever was on Victoria Derby Day in 2006. Over 129,000 people watched a horse named Efficient win the Victoria Derby. In 1986, Pope John Paul II even held a special Mass event on the inner part of the racetrack.
Flemington Racecourse has been updated over the years. A new grandstand opened in 2000, and another new one for members opened in 2018. You can also see a bronze statue of the famous racehorse Phar Lap there. This statue was given to the club in 1988 to celebrate Australia's 200th birthday.
In 2006, Flemington Racecourse was added to the Australian National Heritage List. This means it's a very important historical place for Australia. It's also listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Today, Flemington hosts many of Australia's most important races. These include the Melbourne Cup, Victoria Derby, and Australian Cup.
Getting to Flemington Racecourse
It's easy to get to Flemington Racecourse, especially on race days!
Train Travel
The racecourse has its own special train line. This line only runs on race days. It takes visitors right to the station next to the track. Trains usually leave from platforms 8 and 9 at Flinders Street Station in the city.
Tram and Bus Options
You can also take the No. 57 tram from the city. It stops right at the Epsom Road entrance of the racecourse. Shuttle buses also run from Epsom Road to the main gates.
Car and Accessibility
If you're driving, there are special parking spots for people with disabilities. Taxi stands are also located near the main entrances. For easy access, lifts are available in the Prince of Wales Stand and the Members Stand.
Famous Races at Flemington
Flemington Racecourse is home to many exciting horse races. These races are often called "Group races," which means they are some of the most important and competitive races in Australia. Here are some of the biggest ones:
- Melbourne Cup
- Victoria Derby
- LKS Mackinnon Stakes
- Australian Cup
- Newmarket Handicap
- Black Caviar Lightning
These races attract top horses and jockeys from all over the world!
Images for kids
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180-degree panorama of the racecourse
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Image of Melbourne skyline from Flemington Racecourse
See also
In Spanish: Hipódromo de Flemington para niños
- Australian horse-racing
- Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival
