Herald Sun Caulfield Charity Family Day recorded its highest attendance in more than a decade on Saturday, with 9,438 racegoers attending Caulfield for the Melbourne Racing Club’s flagship community race day.
Staged in the heart of the Summer Racing Carnival for the first time after moving from its traditional September slot, the event brought together families, racegoers and charity partners in a celebration of racing and community impact.
All funds raised on the day will be directed to the MRC Foundation, the charitable arm of the Melbourne Racing Club. The Foundation supports its 12 charity partners involved in the race day as part of its structured annual giving program, ensuring funds are allocated in line with its charitable objectives.
The record-breaking crowd marked the highest public attendance figure in over 10 years up 32% on the previous high alongside a 53% increase in children attending, making it the largest family turnout at the event in more than a decade.
Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) CEO Tanya Fullarton said the attendance and fundraising outcome highlighted both the strength of summer racing at Caulfield and the ongoing generosity of the racing community.
“The turnout we saw on Saturday demonstrates how powerful racing can be in bringing people together." Ms Fullarton said.
“The generosity shown on the day means the MRC Foundation can continue supporting the 12 charity partners involved in this event through its broader charitable program.”
The feature race, the Catanach’s Jewellers MRC Foundation Cup, delivered a thrilling finish, with Ciaron Maher-trained gelding Light Infantry Man claiming victory by the narrowest of margins. Ethan Brown timed his ride to perfection, securing the win and delivering $20,000 to Racing Victoria Bushfire Relief.
Immediacy finished a close second, earning $10,000 for CF Together, trained by Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young and ridden by John Allen. Third place went to Holymanz, trained by Ciaron Maher and ridden by Ben Allen, securing $5,000 for Koala Kids Foundation.
Beyond the track, families enjoyed a packed entertainment schedule including carnival rides, Paw Patrol and Justice League stage shows, and an AFL skills zone. Charity activations were a standout, with KIDS Foundation ponies, RULE Prostate Cancer health checks, CF Together’s fingerprint lung canvas, and Equine Pathways Australia bringing retired racehorse Hard Press on course to lead the field out in the Catanach’s Jewellers MRC Foundation Cup.
Nathan Arundell, Chief Commercial Officer at Sportsbet and a major sponsor of the Melbourne Racing Club, praised the event.
“A huge congratulations to our valued partner, the Melbourne Racing Club for hosting a fun, welcoming and truly family-first event. We’re excited to continue supporting initiatives that showcase the best of a day out at the races and we look forward to the next major race meet at Caulfield, the Sportsbet Caulfield Blue Diamond on February 21.”
Since 2015, the MRC Foundation has invested more than $6 million into programs that matter, supporting causes that make a meaningful difference across the community. Working alongside Melbourne Racing Club members, sponsors and partners, the Foundation continues to create lasting and measurable impact.
The 2026 Herald Sun Caulfield Charity Family Day charity partners include CF Together, Equine Pathways Australia, KIDS Foundation, Very Special Kids, Koala Kids Foundation, Leila Rose Foundation, Les Twentyman Foundation, Live Life Foundation, Living Legends, National Jockeys Trust, Racing Victoria Bushfire Relief and RULE Prostate Cancer.
