Melbourne Cup Day 2023 – The Melbourne Cup is an annual Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race conducted in Melbourne, Australia at the Flemington Racecourse. It is a 3200-metre race and is for three-year-olds and older. It is conducted by the Victoria Racing Club which forms part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
The event is held on the first Tuesday of November and is known locally as “the race that stops the nation”. In 2023, It will be celebrated on November 7th.
History
Frederick Standish, who was a member of the Victorian Turf Club and steward on the day of the first Cup is credited with creating the idea to conduct a horse race known as “Melbourne Cup”.
In 1861, 17 horses contested the first Melbourne Cup on Thursday 7 November. The winner was given the modest prize of 710 gold sovereigns (£710) cash and a hand-beaten gold watch.