2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate at Flemington

History is being made this spring. For the first time ever, the Ladbrokes Cox Plate leaves its traditional home at Moonee Valley and comes to Flemington Racecourse, while The Valley undergoes a major redevelopment.

On Saturday 24 October, the 106th running of the W.S. Cox Plate brings Australia’s best weight-for-age gallopers together for the $6 million Group 1 feature over 2040m. Often called Australia’s Best Race, it has crowned champions from Phar Lap and Kingston Town to Winx. This year the program also includes the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m), the Club’s oldest race, whose winner earns a golden ticket straight into the 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup.

Off the track, there’s fashion, food and plenty to soak up. Sip bubbles in the G.H. Mumm Champagne Garden on the Club Lawn, grab fixed-price French classics from Frenchie, or catch up with friends at the pop-up bars past the Winning Post. Before the big race, Michael Paynter performs “The Horses” at 4:40pm, a Cox Plate Day tradition.

Tickets range from General Admission and reserved grandstand seats through to premium dining and hospitality packages.

Getting there: catch the train. Express services run from Flinders Street and Southern Cross direct to Flemington Racecourse Station, and tram Route 57 stops outside the main gates. Parking is limited.