Geelong Cup facts for kids

The Geelong Cup is a famous horse race held in Geelong, Australia. It's a special event for Thoroughbred horses. The race takes place at the Geelong Racecourse every year.

This exciting race is run over a distance of 2,400 metres. It's known as a "Group 3" race, which means it's a very important event in horse racing. The prize money for the Geelong Cup is a huge A$500,000! Many people watch this race because it often gives clues about who might win the even bigger Melbourne Cup.

History of the Geelong Cup

The Geelong Cup has a long and interesting history. It started way back in 1872. Since 1947, the race has been held on a Wednesday in late October. This is just thirteen days before the famous Melbourne Cup. The day of the Geelong Cup is even a public holiday in the city of Geelong!

Before 1907, the race was run at a different place called Marshalltown Racecourse. In its early days, before 1947, the race was held at different times of the year. It could be anywhere from January to July.

Race Distance Changes

The distance of the Geelong Cup has changed many times over the years. When it first started in 1872, horses raced for 2 miles (about 3200 metres). Over time, the distance became shorter and then longer again.

For example, in some years like 1893, it was 1½ miles (about 2400 metres). In other years, like 1914, it was just 1 mile (about 1600 metres). Since 1972, the race has mostly been run over 2400 metres. This is the distance it is today.

Race Importance (Grade)

The "grade" of a horse race tells you how important it is. The Geelong Cup's importance has grown over time.

• From 1872 to 1978, it was called a "Principal Race." This meant it was a main event.
• From 1979 to 2001, it became a "Listed race." This is a step up, showing it was recognized as a significant race.
• Since 2002, it has been a "Group 3" race. This is a very high level in horse racing, showing its importance in Australia.

Winning Both Cups

Some amazing horses have won both the Geelong Cup and the Melbourne Cup in the same year! This is a very rare and special achievement. Only a few horses have managed this difficult "double win":

• Media Puzzle (2002)
• Americain (2010)
• Dunaden (2011)

Geelong Cup Winners

Here is a list of the horses that have won the Geelong Cup over the years:

• 2022 – Emissary
• 2021 – Tralee Rose
• 2020 – Steel Prince
• 2019 – Prince of Arran
• 2018 – Runaway
• 2017 – Vengeur Masque
• 2016 – Qewy
• 2015 – Almoonqith
• 2014 – Caravan Rolls On
• 2013 – Ibicenco
• 2012 – Gatewood
• 2011 – Dunaden
• 2010 – Americain
• 2009 – Leica Ding
• 2008 – Bauer
• 2007 – The Fuzz
• 2006 – Mandela
• 2005 – On A Jeune
• 2004 – Pacific Dancer
• 2003 – Zazzman
• 2002 – Media Puzzle
• 2001 – Karasi
• 2000 – Savrocca
• 1999 – Bohemiath
• 1998 – Ancient City
• 1997 – Oregon Star
• 1996 – Hereditas
• 1995 – Anfitrion
• 1994 – Grass Valley
• 1993 – Ultimate Aim
• 1992 – Ali Boy
• 1991 – Newbury Star
• 1990 – Mr. Brooker
• 1989 – † Pacific Mirage / Sea Legend
• 1988 – Our Classic Bay
• 1987 – Beau Trist
• 1986 – Fil De Roi
• 1985 – Koiro Corrie May
• 1984 – Chagemar
• 1983 – Deb's Mate
• 1982 – Gujarat
• 1981 – Allez Bijou
• 1980 – Summer Fleur
• 1979 – Hauberk
• 1978 – Puramaka
• 1977 – Brallos
• 1976 – Taminga
• 1975 – Dowling Girl
• 1974 – Special Test
• 1973 – Australasia
• 1972 – Hayburner
• 1971 – Gnapur
• 1970 – Vansittart
• 1969 – Double Steel
• 1968 – Bergman
• 1967 – Royal Coral
• 1966 – Craftsman
• 1965 – Pleasanton
• 1964 – Jamagne
• 1963 – Nivek
• 1962 – Napoleon
• 1961 – Ursalon
• 1960 – Tabess
• 1959 – Paratone
• 1958 – Mac
• 1957 – King Boru
• 1956 – Prince Abbott
• 1955 – November Moon
• 1954 – Chidden
• 1953 – meeting abandoned
• 1952 – Welkin Sun
• 1951 – Trust Me
• 1950 – Purple Prince
• 1949 – Blank Music
• 1948 – Royal Scot
• 1947 – Bruin
• 1938–46 – race not held
• 1937 – Lord Carrington
• 1935–36 – race not held
• 1934 – † Viol D'Amour / Highway
• 1933 – Bay of Islands
• 1932 – Glaive
• 1931 – El Rey
• 1930 – race not held
• 1930 – Taras
• 1929 – Sea Pilot
• 1928 – Anan Louise
• 1927 – Victorian King
• 1926 – Bombard
• 1925 – Glaxy
• 1924 – Lillirie
• 1923 – Mount Bernard
• 1922 – Tresco
• 1921 – Rahda
• 1920 – race not held
• 1919 – Luteplayer
• 1918 – Blackwood
• 1917 – Mnesarchus
• 1916 – Lady Mooltan
• 1915 – Pouter
• 1914 – Roseview
• 1913 – Porch
• 1912 – Roseview
• 1911 – Crete
• 1910 – Orline
• 1909 – Tantalla
• 1907–08 – race not held
• 1906 – Maninga
• 1905 – Cluster
• 1904 – Mallard
• 1903 – Telemachus
• 1902 – Merryman
• 1901 – Marie Corelli
• 1900 – Model
• 1899 – Relic
• 1898 – Chit Chat
• 1897 – race not held
• 1896 – Pivot
• 1895 – J5
• 1894 – The Clown
• 1893 – Newman
• 1892 – Norbert
• 1891 – Tantallon
• 1890 – Britannia
• 1889 – Malua
• 1888 – Gardenia
• 1887 – Camerine
• 1886 – Claptrap
• 1885 – Camerine
• 1884 – Linda
• 1883 – Gudarz
• 1882 – Guinea
• 1881 – Progress
• 1880 – Zambesi
• 1879 – Lord Harry
• 1878 – Newminster
• 1877 – Pride of the Hills
• 1876 – Emulation
• 1875 – Melbourne
• 1874 – Mccallum Mohn
• 1873 – Leo
• 1872 – Flying Scud

† Dead heat

See also

• List of Australian Group races
• Group races