Each year, the Melbourne Cup Carnival writes a new chapter in racing history – moments of courage, skill and celebration played out on the track. Though racing is at its heart, the Carnival’s spirit extends beyond it – through fashion, entertainment and some of Australia’s finest hospitality. This collection of stories captures the people, memories and moments that make Cup Week special, revealing the many sides of an event that continues to inspire and evolve.
A champion becomes a legend
As Glen Boss guided Makybe Diva to an unprecedented third Melbourne Cup victory in 2005, the roar of the crowd told the story — Australia was witnessing greatness.
Michelle Payne’s ride into racing history
Ten years ago, Michelle Payne inspired a nation with her history-making Melbourne Cup triumph aboard Prince Of Penzance.
VRC App and new Digital Map experience.
Take your Flemington experience to the next level. The updated Digital Map helps you plan your experience before you have even arrived!
The Digital Map gives you real-time navigation and access to everything happening across Cup Week and the racing season.
It has also been included in the VRC Updated iOS App, available for download now on Apple App Store.
Craig David brings the vibes to Flemington
Crown Oaks Day will come alive this spring when British R&B icon Craig David Presents TS5 headlines the reimagined Elms precinct. Fresh from a sold-out UK arena tour, the multi-platinum star will deliver his only public Australian performance of 2025 – promising, in his own words, “all the classics and all the vibes.”
Under the Elms: the place to be Cup Week
For over a century, the area between The Hill and the track was the vibrant centre of Flemington Racecourse. Now, this historic corner of the course is being reimagined for a new era, with The Elms precinct becoming the ultimate entertainment hub for Cup Week.
Their legend lives on
From the track to the paddock, Melbourne Cup heroes Brew, Prince Of Penzance and Twilight Payment are now Living Legends in retirement, celebrating milestone anniversaries of their unforgettable Cup triumphs.
Shared dreams. Shared wins
Racing has always been the great equaliser — a sport where passion, not privilege, takes the reins. From humble beginnings to headline victories, everyday Australians are discovering the thrill of ownership and the joy of being part of something bigger.
A bond beyond the bridle
Behind every racing champion is someone who knows them best. For strappers like Sammi Waters, who looks after Pride Of Jenni, and Will Evans, the man at Mr Brightside’s side, it’s not just a job, but a relationship built on early mornings, quiet moments, and unconditional devotion.
Capturing history on horseback
In the moments after the Lexus Melbourne Cup is decided, the emotion is as powerful as the win itself. Mounted interviews capture those first, unfiltered reactions that define racing’s greatest triumphs.
The 1925 Cup: Windbag
A century on from his 1925 triumph, Windbag’s record-breaking Melbourne Cup win lives on as a milestone moment — the first ever broadcast live to the nation.
Fashions on the Field: Friendships front and centre
For many racegoers, Fashions on the Field is more than a contest. It celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and connection. It is a community where bold ideas are welcomed, passions are shared, and enduring friendships are formed.
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California dreaming at Cup week
Each year, The Birdcage sets the benchmark for sophistication and celebration during Cup Week. In 2025, Crown’s Marmont will infuse the exclusive enclosure with a touch of West Coast glamour, curated by Grant Smillie.
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An inspirational journey at Vogue Japan
A trip to Japan proved transformative for emerging designer Victoria Cananzi, whose Vogue Japan experience has shaped her creative journey since winning Flemington’s 2024 Emerging Designer Award.
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It Girl glamour
The Swinging Sixties have long been regarded as one of the most influential eras in fashion history, and milliner Kathryn Lee Miller’s winning piece for last year's Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award marked a moment that connected racing fashion’s present with its most iconic past.
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