Racing Victoria has confirmed prize money allocations for the 2025-2026 season and Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has announced some exciting race program changes and prizemoney increases that, together with other great initiatives at Flemington and Moonee Valley, reinforce the position of Victoria’s Spring Racing Carnival at the forefront of international racing.
To the relief of MRC members, owners, trainers, breeders and racing fans, the MRC has confirmed the reinstatement of the $1.5 million Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas and the $1 million Group 1 Sportsbet Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes to their correct positions in the racing calendar.
•The $1.5 million Schweppes Thousand Guineas returns to Sportsbet Caulfield Cup Day (Saturday 18 October), adding prestige to an already iconic race day. This race is back in its rightful place in the pattern to attract the best fillies in Australia, following the Flight Stakes in Sydney, and prior to the VRC Oaks.
•The $1 million Sportsbet Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes goes back to its time honoured position as a lead in to the Group 1 Hyland Race Colours Toorak Handicap. It rejoins the Group 1 Underwood Stakes on Caulfield Charity Family Day (Saturday 20 September), together with the Group 3 Sportsbet Caulfield Guineas Prelude and Group 3 Manhari Thousand Guineas Prelude. In a further boost to this program, the Underwood has also received a $250,000 prizemoney increase, taking it to $1 million.
In another major initiative, MRC has revamped and dramatically improved the Group 1 race day to be held on Saturday 15 November 2025, and will feature two $1 million dollar races.
•The $1 million Group 1 Sportsbet C.F. Orr Stakes (WFA 1400m) which has been transferred from the Autumn. This will attract quality weight for age horses to what will be a great finale to the Spring Carnival.
•Victoria’s newest $1 million race, the Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m). Currently a Group 3 race, this sprint at set weights for three-year-old fillies, is aiming to be a Group 1 race and is well placed to do so, given the absence on the Australian racing calendar of a 1200m Group 1 race for fillies. It will be perfectly positioned, two weeks after the Group 1 Coolmore Stakes, allowing the best fillies in Australia to run in both races.
•The Group 2 Sandown Guineas (3yo 1600m Set Weights), will shift back to its traditional slot on that day and will form part of an improved support card that will include the Group 3 Summoned Stakes (Mares 1600m Set Weights and Penalties).
And in an innovative new development, aimed at later developing three-year-old staying horses, MRC has launched a new $400,000, 2000m race to be called the Melbourne Classic, with that race to be held on the Caulfield Spring Finale (Saturday 29 November), two weeks after the Sportsbet Sandown Guineas. This new race provides an opportunity for horses that are not quite ready for the VRC Derby or Oaks and will provide an excellent progression for horses coming out of the Carbine Club Stakes and Sandown Guineas. It is also logically intended to be developed into a stakes race, providing another opportunity for three-year-olds to earn black type.
In summary, major prizemoney increases at Caulfield this spring include:
Underwood Stakes – now $1 million (up from $750,000)
Sportsbet C.F. Orr Stakes – now $1 million (up from $750,000)
Thoroughbred Club Stakes – now $1 million (up from $200,000)
Sportsbet Sandown Guineas – now $400,000 (up from $300,000)
In addition, Group 3 and Listed races across the Caulfield Cup Carnival will receive prizemoney uplifts, helping to attract deeper fields and stronger competition.
MRC Chairman, John Kanga, noted that these announcements had been very well received.
Mr Kanga said: “The MRC continues to lead with innovation and investment. These changes reflect our ongoing commitment to attracting top-tier horses, delivering high-quality racing, and creating outstanding experiences for our members, owners, trainers, punters, and fans.”
MRC Release
