- World-famous event is known as the ‘race the stops a nation’
- Attracts millions of viewers, including casual racing fans
The Melbourne Cup is at risk of losing its status as ‘the race that stops a nation’ with a leading racing commentator delivering a sobering six-word reality check on the future of the race.
The Cup was first held in 1861 at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia and has been the biggest highlight on nation’s the racing calendar ever since.
Australia’s most famous horse race has become an annual public holiday in Victoria, attracting millions of Aussie and international viewers – including casuals who only watch one race a year.
It is a beloved event that leading racing commentator Bruce McAvaney has enjoyed since he was a child and has covered for four decades.
But now the Channel 7 icon has warned the Melbourne Cup’s time at the summit of Aussie sport is drawing to a close.
‘It no longer stops the nation,’ McAvaney said.
‘My gut feeling is that within the racing community the Melbourne Cup has diminished a little but for those who are not racegoers, or are once-a-year racegoers, it has diminished greatly.
‘Years ago, people may not have been caught up in the magic of the Cup but they weren’t aggressively opposed to racing. Today, more people turn their back on the race.
‘It’s being challenged by The Everest, which has only been around for eight years, and the Cox Plate is getting closer.
Crowd numbers at the Melbourne Cup have varied over time, with peak attendance in 2003 when over 122,000 spectators filled Flemington Racecourse.
Throughout the 2000s, attendance often remained high, with typical numbers around 100,000; however, recent years have seen fluctuations.
In 2022, attendance was reported at approximately 71,000 – almost 30,000 less than previous years.
While it was more encouraging in 2023 with 84,000 filling Flemington, McAvaney said other events like the AFL Grand Final had overtaken the Melbourne Cup.
‘It was a huge thing … it was about suburbs and neighbourhoods, and it was for one race. It was by far the biggest sporting event in the nation. It had a big margin on the [then] VFL [now AFL] grand final,’ McAvaney said.
The introduction of The Everest in 2017 has also brought new competition to the Melbourne Cup as Australia’s richest horse race attracts high-profile horses, trainers, and owners from around the world.
With its timing in mid-October, The Everest appeals to younger audiences and has shifted some attention from the Melbourne Cup in the lead-up to the spring racing season.
The 2024 Melbourne Cup promises an exciting field with several standout contenders eyeing the prestigious title – but fan favourite Via Sistina won’t be racing after being withdrawn by her owners.
Early favourites include Without A Fight, last year’s Cup winner, and Vauban, the impressive Irish stayer who has performed strongly in recent European races.
Also gaining attention are Gold Trip, the 2022 Melbourne Cup champion, and Soulcombe, a promising local runner, making this year’s race a compelling mix of international and local talent.
