Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Every year follows a natural rhythm, with traditions and pastimes returning to centre stage. Horse racing, a sport beloved by Australians, is no exception. Even though it’s held year-round, racing has a time to shine when public attention shifts toward the horses.

For Melburnians, the winter months are synonymous with AFL. But once the finals are over and spring emerges, all eyes turn to racing. After the excitement of the spring carnival, we transition into the festive season with its shopping, work break-ups, family gatherings in parks, and, of course, cricket on Boxing Day. Then, the cycle renews, leading into a fresh year.

Hardcore fans keep up with the horses each month, but for many, there’s only one time each year when it feels like racing is everywhere. During spring, horses grace newspaper covers, local cafes host sweeps, and Myer’s vibrant displays of hats and fascinators bring racing’s flair into the streets. And racing is starting to get back to its pre-2020 attendance numbers, albeit, with slightly smaller targets.

Record-breaking crowds at The Everest

Sydney has its moment of racing fervour, with The Everest quickly growing in popularity, attracting one of the largest crowds seen in decades. In 2022, 46,221 people filled Randwick, marking a 50-year record high before it hit 46,498 in 2023. In 2024, the turnout was even more remarkable: 49,117 fans came to cheer on Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai). This year also marked the first time that general admission tickets sold out a week before race day, with a strong representation from the 18-35 demographic, a crowd eager for the excitement.

Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Sydney, it seems, loves a big event. Other major race days haven’t drawn similar numbers; six of the last seven largest days at Randwick have been Everest Day. The only exception was in August 2018, when Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) won her feature race, drawing 11,793 through the gates.

Meanwhile, Rosehill’s G1 Golden Slipper S. meeting saw lower figures this year, with 17,627 attendees, down from 21,093 in 2023. Caroline Searcy, a passionate racegoer, attributes some of this decline to the 2020 closure of the Rosehill train station, which made access more challenging. “The weather and what else is happening, like football or transport issues, really affect Sydney’s crowds,” Searcy observes, adding with a laugh, “Everest Day is almost too crowded—it’s nuts!”

Quality horses are the true draw

Searcy firmly believes that race day attendance largely depends on the quality of horses on show. “The better the horse, the better the crowds,” she says, commending the clubs’ marketing efforts while insisting that great horses are the ultimate drawcard. Black Caviar’s (Bel Esprit) popularity illustrates this perfectly: 30,000 fans reportedly came to Randwick to see her in 2011, while 25,000 gathered at Moonee Valley for her 2013 G1 William Reid S. win.

But size isn’t everything. In fact, Searcy recalls that crowds at Melbourne Cup week once became overwhelming, leading to ticket sales caps to improve attendee experience. “A lot of once-a-year racegoers were actually put off by those big crowds,” she says. “It was a bit of a shambles!”

This sentiment is echoed by Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) Chairman John Kanga, who recently oversaw his first Caulfield Cup Carnival.

“We catered for around 50,000 people across our three days of racing, and that’s exactly what we got,” he says, pleased with the success of marketing efforts aimed at different racegoer demographics. The MRC focused on filling general admission areas while also prioritising existing members and the corporate sector.

“The days of cramming in big crowds is not something any of us want to go back to,” he explains, emphasising that the focus now is on delivering a quality experience that makes people want to return, and ideally, become members, owners, and even breeders.

A family-friendly and affordable day out at Caulfield

With inclusivity in mind, the MRC has expanded open spaces, allowing families to self-cater and enjoy an affordable day out. Kanga is keen to push this further, considering opening the in-field next year to increase Caulfield Cup Day attendance to 30,000.

New areas like “The Jockey Club,” an open-air, split-level deck with views of the straight and the yard, have also proven popular, drawing 4000-5000 guests, many of whom were experiencing racing for the first time.

On Caulfield Cup Day, the changed layout - which included relocating the mounting yard and stalls - drew 25,676 attendees, an increase from 25,121 last year and 24,289 the year before. Pre-COVID numbers ranged between 28,000 and 30,000, so Caulfield’s attendance is gradually approaching its peak levels.

Moonee Valley’s electric atmosphere

Moonee Valley has maintained its lively atmosphere with thrilling race meetings like the recent G2 Feehan S., where the Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) and Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) clash created an electrifying moment.

“We had 7500 people at that meeting last year, and about 9000 this year,” says Moonee Valley’s Head of Racing, Charlotte Mills, who was excited to see the small but intense crowd. “Interestingly, wagering figures were much higher than expected for a four-horse field,” she adds.

Last weekend, 23,500 fans packed Moonee Valley, an increase over the previous year’s 21,000, though down from 2019’s 24,648 and 2018’s 38,035 when Winx completed her fourth Cox Plate victory. While construction limits current capacity, the club prioritises “comfort and access,” ensuring fans don’t have to queue excessively.

Mills notes that long standing members are the first to book packages, with many eager to attend Moonee Valley’s final events before its redevelopment after next year’s Cox Plate. “People appreciate being comfortable and not having to queue for everything,” she says, reflecting a focus on enhancing the race day experience.

Tradition and transformation

The spring carnival remains a fixture of Australian culture, comparable to international events like the Kentucky Derby, Epsom Derby, and Royal Ascot. Races like the Caulfield Cup, W.S. Cox Plate, and Melbourne Cup aren’t just events; they’re an essential part of the year for many fans.

In 2023, the Melbourne Cup Carnival attracted 262,165 attendees over its four days, a 7.5 per cent rise from 2002. While total attendance is below the heights of past decades, post-COVID figures show a steady return.

Table: Melbourne Cup Carnival attendance over the last 10 years

**Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no patrons on course.

*Crowd numbers were restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Network 10 reported a 12 per cent increase in viewership, with live stream audiences up by 35 per cent, and the Victoria Racing Club’s social media impressions grew by 60 per cent, reaching 13 million video views—a 160 per cent spike.

The 2023 Melbourne Cup Day alone drew 84,492 attendees, a 14.5 per cent increase from the previous year. Derby Day saw 73,056 fans, Oaks Day 46,596, and Champions Day 58,021. Attendance may not reach the peak days of Makybe Diva’s Melbourne Cup wins - again, an intentional decision to allow for a comfortable experience, but all signs are on track for the carnival to top the numbers from last year.

The global appeal of racing

Globally, top racing events continue to draw substantial crowds. This year’s Kentucky Derby attendance rose to 156,710, while capped attendance at Royal Ascot held steady at 273,526 and the G1 Japan Cup attendance rebounded to pre-COVID levels over 100,000+.

Around 27,000 were at this year's G1 Epsom Derby won by City Of Troy (USA) (Justify {USA}), up a little from the previous year's 25,413 when an early start (due to the FA Cup Final) and a train strike affected numbers. There were 37,274 on course in 2022 and 38,044 in 2021.

Table: International race day attendance over the last six years

**Attendance numbers affected due to COVID

*Epsom Derby was affected by rail strikes and started early due to FA Cup Final in 2023, the numbers in 2024 are an estimate only

As clubs worldwide refine the race day experience, Australia’s focus on atmosphere and quality is making racing more welcoming for everyone—from lifelong enthusiasts to first-time fans and families.