Racing Victoria (RV) and the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) have confirmed a strategic reshuffle of three Group 1 races at Caulfield as part of broader programming changes to the 2025 Spring Racing Carnival and the 2026 Festival of Racing.
The changes, which have received approval from the RV Board and endorsement from the Asian Pattern Committee, aim to bolster key racedays across Victoria and maintain momentum across the entire spring calendar.
Following strong wagering and crowd engagement in recent years, industry stakeholders have agreed to retain Group 1 racing at Caulfield on the second Saturday after the Melbourne Cup Carnival. The move is part of a collaborative outcome from RV’s inaugural Racing Forums, which brought together the MRC, MVRC, VRC, CRV, Southside Racing, TROA, ATA, VJA and TBV.
The Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) for three-year-old fillies will be reinstated on Caulfield Cup Day – Saturday, October 18, 2025 – strengthening the MRC’s flagship meeting with a second Group 1.
The race returns to its pre-1988 timeslot and will now sit two weeks after the Group 1 Flight Stakes in Sydney, allowing fillies to target the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) or Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) later in the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) will move back to Saturday, September 20, 2025, joining the Underwood Stakes (1800m) on a dual Group 1 raceday. This reinstates its lead-up position to the Toorak Handicap (1400m), run three weeks later on Caulfield Guineas Day.
The Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) will be repositioned from February to Saturday, November 15, 2025. The move extends the spring Group 1 schedule and avoids duplication with the Futurity Stakes (1400m) in the autumn, offering a new option for horses emerging from Flemington’s Cup Week or interstate features.
Prizemoney and further programming updates for the 2025 Spring Racing Carnival will be revealed in coming months.
“These changes serve to strengthen our racing calendar throughout the Spring Racing Carnival, whilst maintaining 12 consecutive weekends of Group 1 racing from late August to mid-November,” RV Chief Executive Aaron Morrison said.
“The revamp comes following great consultation and collaboration between industry stakeholders via our new industry Racing Forums and with the blessing of the Asian Pattern Committee whom I want to acknowledge for their support and diligence.
“RV and stakeholders were all in agreement that Group 1 racing at Caulfield in mid-November works and should continue to be embraced. We have maintained that goal whilst strengthening Caulfield Cup Day, one of our marquee racedays.”
MRC Chief Executive Tom Reilly added:
“These changes are an important step in shaping a racing program at Caulfield that not only enhances the Spring Racing Carnival but supports the broader racing industry and racing pattern in Victoria.
“By putting the Thousand Guineas to Caulfield Cup Day, we’re creating a more compelling platform to attract quality fillies and maintain the strength of our feature race day.
“Returning the Thousand Guineas to earlier in the Spring also gives fillies the chance to progress through to the Oaks or Empire Rose at Flemington.
“Equally, the enhancements to our September and November racedays are about ensuring Caulfield continues to attract high-quality horses, provide greater opportunities for participants, and reinforce its role as one of Australia’s premier racing venues throughout the entire spring period.”
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