2026 Horse Racing Calendar
Australia has one of the world's most extensive thoroughbred racing calendars, with major races staged throughout the year in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Below you'll find the key dates on the 2026 Australian horse racing calendar, including major Group 1 races and feature events.
Before You Bet also provides free horse racing tips throughout the year, along with race guides and betting information for many of Australia's biggest racing events.
Betting on the 2026 Horse Racing Calendar
Looking to bet on one of Australia's upcoming feature races? Compare Australian betting sites or check our latest racing tips before the next major meeting.
Compare Betting Sites Today's Racing Tips
2026 Racing Calendar Guide
2026 Major Australian Horse Racing Calendar
The table below covers Australia's major Group 1 races and other important feature races during the 2026 calendar year. Click on highlighted races to view the dedicated Before You Bet race guide.
| Date |
Race |
Track |
Distance |
Class |
More |
| February 2026 |
| 14 Feb |
Black Caviar Lightning |
Flemington |
1000m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 21 Feb |
Blue Diamond Stakes |
Caulfield |
1200m |
G1 |
Race Guide |
| 21 Feb |
Futurity Stakes |
Caulfield |
1400m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 21 Feb |
Oakleigh Plate |
Caulfield |
1100m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 28 Feb |
Australian Guineas |
Flemington |
1600m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 28 Feb |
Surround Stakes |
Randwick |
1400m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 28 Feb |
Verry Elleegant Stakes |
Randwick |
1600m |
G1 |
Completed |
| March 2026 |
| 7 Mar |
Canterbury Stakes |
Randwick |
1300m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 7 Mar |
Newmarket Handicap |
Flemington |
1200m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 7 Mar |
Randwick Guineas |
Randwick |
1600m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 7 Mar |
All-Star Mile |
Flemington |
1600m |
G1 |
Race Guide |
| 14 Mar |
Coolmore Classic |
Rosehill |
1500m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 21 Mar |
Golden Slipper Stakes |
Rosehill |
1200m |
G1 |
Race Guide |
| 21 Mar |
George Ryder Stakes |
Rosehill |
1500m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 21 Mar |
Ranvet Stakes |
Rosehill |
2000m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 21 Mar |
Rosehill Guineas |
Rosehill |
2000m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 21 Mar |
The Galaxy |
Rosehill |
1100m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 21 Mar |
William Reid Stakes |
Caulfield |
1200m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 28 Mar |
Australian Cup |
Flemington |
2000m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 28 Mar |
Tancred Stakes |
Rosehill |
2400m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 28 Mar |
Vinery Stud Stakes |
Rosehill |
2000m |
G1 |
Completed |
| April 2026 |
| 4 Apr |
ATC Sires' Produce Stakes |
Randwick |
1400m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 4 Apr |
Australian Derby |
Randwick |
2400m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 4 Apr |
Doncaster Mile |
Randwick |
1600m |
G1 |
Race Guide |
| 4 Apr |
TJ Smith Stakes |
Randwick |
1200m |
G1 |
Race Guide |
| 11 Apr |
Australian Oaks |
Randwick |
2400m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 11 Apr |
Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
Randwick |
2000m |
G1 |
Race Guide |
| 11 Apr |
Queen Of The Turf Stakes |
Randwick |
1600m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 11 Apr |
Sydney Cup |
Randwick |
3200m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 18 Apr |
All Aged Stakes |
Randwick |
1400m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 18 Apr |
Champagne Stakes |
Randwick |
1600m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 25 Apr |
Australasian Oaks |
Morphettville |
2000m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 25 Apr |
Robert Sangster Stakes |
Morphettville |
1200m |
G1 |
Race Guide |
| May 2026 |
| 2 May |
South Australian Derby |
Morphettville |
2500m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 9 May |
The Goodwood |
Morphettville |
1200m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 16 May |
Doomben 10,000 |
Doomben |
1200m |
G1 |
Race Guide |
| 23 May |
Doomben Cup |
Doomben |
2100m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 30 May |
Kingsford Smith Cup |
Eagle Farm |
1300m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 30 May |
Queensland Derby |
Eagle Farm |
2400m |
G1 |
Completed |
| June 2026 |
| 6 Jun |
Queensland Oaks |
Eagle Farm |
2200m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 13 Jun |
Stradbroke Handicap |
Eagle Farm |
1400m |
G1 |
Race Guide |
| 13 Jun |
JJ Atkins |
Eagle Farm |
1600m |
G1 |
Completed |
| 27 Jun |
Tattersall's Tiara |
Eagle Farm |
1400m |
G1 |
Completed |
| August 2026 |
| 22 Aug |
Winx Stakes |
Randwick |
1400m |
G1 |
Randwick Tips |
| 29 Aug |
Memsie Stakes |
Caulfield |
1400m |
G1 |
Caulfield Tips |
| September 2026 |
| 5 Sep |
Moir Stakes |
Sandown |
1000m |
G1 |
Sandown Tips |
| 12 Sep |
Makybe Diva Stakes |
Flemington |
1600m |
G1 |
Flemington Tips |
| 19 Sep |
Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes |
Caulfield |
1400m |
G1 |
Caulfield Tips |
| 19 Sep |
Underwood Stakes |
Caulfield |
1800m |
G1 |
Caulfield Tips |
| 26 Sep |
Golden Rose Stakes |
Rosehill |
1400m |
G1 |
Race Guide |
| 27 Sep |
Manikato Stakes |
Caulfield |
1200m |
G1 |
Caulfield Tips |
| October 2026 |
| 3 Oct |
Epsom Handicap |
Randwick |
1600m |
G1 |
Randwick Tips |
| 3 Oct |
Flight Stakes |
Randwick |
1600m |
G1 |
Randwick Tips |
| 3 Oct |
The Metropolitan |
Randwick |
2400m |
G1 |
Randwick Tips |
| 3 Oct |
Turnbull Stakes |
Flemington |
2000m |
G1 |
Flemington Tips |
| 10 Oct |
Caulfield Guineas |
Caulfield |
1600m |
G1 |
Caulfield Tips |
| 17 Oct |
The Everest |
Randwick |
1200m |
G1 |
Odds & Guide |
| 17 Oct |
King Charles III Stakes |
Randwick |
1600m |
G1 |
Randwick Tips |
| 17 Oct |
Caulfield Cup |
Caulfield |
2400m |
G1 |
Odds & Guide |
| 17 Oct |
Thousand Guineas |
Caulfield |
1600m |
G1 |
Caulfield Tips |
| 24 Oct |
Cox Plate |
Flemington |
2040m |
G1 |
Odds & Guide |
| 24 Oct |
Spring Champion Stakes |
Randwick |
2000m |
G1 |
Randwick Tips |
| 31 Oct |
Victoria Derby |
Flemington |
2500m |
G1 |
Flemington Tips |
| 31 Oct |
Empire Rose Stakes |
Flemington |
1600m |
G1 |
Flemington Tips |
| 31 Oct |
Coolmore Stud Stakes |
Flemington |
1200m |
G1 |
Flemington Tips |
| 31 Oct |
Golden Eagle |
Randwick |
1500m |
Feature |
Odds & Guide |
| November 2026 |
| 3 Nov |
Melbourne Cup |
Flemington |
3200m |
G1 |
Odds & Guide |
| 5 Nov |
VRC Oaks |
Flemington |
2500m |
G1 |
Race Guide |
| 7 Nov |
Champions Sprint |
Flemington |
1200m |
G1 |
Flemington Tips |
| 7 Nov |
Champions Mile |
Flemington |
1600m |
G1 |
Flemington Tips |
| 7 Nov |
Champions Stakes |
Flemington |
2000m |
G1 |
Flemington Tips |
| 14 Nov |
C.F. Orr Stakes |
Sandown |
1400m |
G1 |
Sandown Tips |
| 21 Nov |
Railway Stakes |
Ascot |
1600m |
G1 |
Ascot Tips |
| 28 Nov |
Winterbottom Stakes |
Ascot |
1200m |
G1 |
Ascot Tips |
| December 2026 |
| 5 Dec |
Northerly Stakes |
Ascot |
1800m |
G1 |
Ascot Tips |
Betting on Major Horse Races in Australia
Betting markets are available on Australia's biggest horse races throughout the year, with futures markets often opening well before race day for events such as the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and The Everest.
Before placing a bet, it can be worth comparing available betting sites, checking the latest market and reviewing factors such as recent form, distance, track conditions, barriers and likely race tempo.
Horse Racing Betting Sites
Compare Australian betting sites offering markets across Australian horse racing.
Compare Betting Sites →
Horse Racing Tips
View our latest free racing tips and previews from major Australian meetings.
View Racing Tips →
Horse Racing Betting Types
Learn about different ways to be on racing including win, place, each-way and exotic racing markets.
Racing Bet Types →
2026 Spring Racing Futures & Major Race Guides
Looking ahead to the biggest races of the spring? Visit our dedicated race pages for betting information, futures markets, race details and the latest coverage as each event approaches.
2026 Spring Racing Carnival
The Australian Spring Racing Carnival builds from late August before reaching its peak during October and the Melbourne Cup Carnival in early November. Major races include the Memsie Stakes, Makybe Diva Stakes, Golden Rose, Caulfield Guineas, The Everest, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
The 2026 carnival has a different look to normal, with the Cox Plate being held at Flemington while The Valley undergoes redevelopment. The Moir Stakes is being staged at Sandown and the Manikato Stakes at Caulfield.
Follow our horse racing tips throughout the carnival for race previews, selections and best bets.
2026 Autumn Racing Carnival
2026 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival
Brisbane takes centre stage during May and June with Group 1 racing at Doomben and Eagle Farm. Major races include the Doomben 10,000, Doomben Cup, Kingsford Smith Cup, Queensland Derby, Queensland Oaks, JJ Atkins and Stradbroke Handicap.
Biggest Horse Races in Australia
Australia's racing calendar features major races across a range of distances and age groups. The events below are among the country's most prominent races and attract significant betting interest each year.
Cox Plate 24 October 2026 · Flemington · 2040m
Australia's premier weight-for-age contest, staged at Flemington in 2026.
Odds & Race Guide →
The Everest 17 October 2026 · Randwick · 1200m
Australia's richest sprint race, attracting the country's leading short-course horses.
Odds & Race Guide →
Australian Group 1 Horse Races in 2026
Group 1 is the highest classification of thoroughbred racing in Australia. These races generally attract the country's elite horses and form the centrepiece of Australia's major racing carnivals.
| Category |
Major Races |
| Cups & Staying Races |
Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Sydney Cup, Australian Cup and Tancred Stakes |
| Sprint Races |
The Everest, TJ Smith Stakes, Newmarket Handicap, Stradbroke Handicap and Black Caviar Lightning |
| Middle-Distance |
Cox Plate, Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Turnbull Stakes, Doomben Cup and Champions Stakes |
| Mile Races |
Doncaster Mile, All-Star Mile, Epsom Handicap, Champions Mile and Railway Stakes |
| Two-Year-Old Races |
Golden Slipper, Blue Diamond Stakes, ATC Sires' Produce, Champagne Stakes and JJ Atkins |
| Three-Year-Old Races |
Australian Guineas, Golden Rose, Caulfield Guineas, Australian Derby, Victoria Derby and VRC Oaks |
What is Futures Betting on Horse Racing?
Futures, or ante-post, betting allows punters to bet on a major race before the final field is known. Futures markets are particularly common for major events such as the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and The Everest.
Read our guide to ante-post betting to learn more about how early betting markets work.
2026 Horse Racing Calendar FAQs
When is the 2026 Melbourne Cup?
The 2026 Melbourne Cup will be held at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday, 3 November 2026 over 3200 metres. View our Melbourne Cup betting and race guide.
When is the 2026 Caulfield Cup?
The 2026 Caulfield Cup will be run at Caulfield on Saturday, 17 October 2026 over 2400 metres. View our Caulfield Cup guide.
When is the 2026 Cox Plate?
The 2026 Cox Plate will be held on Saturday, 24 October 2026 at Flemington Racecourse while The Valley undergoes redevelopment. View our Cox Plate guide.
When is The Everest in 2026?
The 2026 Everest is scheduled for Saturday, 17 October 2026 at Royal Randwick over 1200 metres. View our The Everest guide.
What are the biggest horse races in Australia?
Australia's best-known races include the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup, The Everest, Golden Slipper, Doncaster Mile, Queen Elizabeth Stakes, TJ Smith Stakes, Australian Cup and Stradbroke Handicap.
What is a Group 1 horse race?
Group 1 is the highest level of recognised thoroughbred racing in Australia. These races generally attract elite horses and form the centrepiece of Australia's major racing carnivals.
Where can I bet on Australian horse racing?
A range of licensed Australian betting sites offer markets on local racing. View our Australian betting sites page to compare available options.
Where can I find horse racing tips?
Before You Bet publishes free previews and selections throughout the year. Visit our horse racing tips page for the latest coverage.
