A $10 million Melbourne Cup, a $6 million Cox Plate and an additional $7 million for maidens highlight Racing Victoria’s revamped prize money structure for the 2025/26 season.
Commercial challenges driven by an ongoing downturn in wagering has put significant pressure on Racing Victoria’s bottom line over the past two years, but while there was an expectation that would impact overall prize money levels, returns to owners have been sustained in the upcoming season.
Described by RV as a “strategic re-alignment”, the Victorian regulator has put more money into both the top and bottom end of the racing calendar, with the headline moves to increase its two best races, the Melbourne Cup and the Cox Plate to record-high levels, complemented by a commitment to $5000 per race boost to 1400 country maidens.
There has also been a boost for a slew of feature races, including the Newmarket Handicap. the Underwood Stakes, the CF Orr Stakes, the Thoroughbred Club Stakes and the Sandown Guineas, while minimum prize money will be increased throughout spring for all Listed and Group 3 races.
It has been able to save money by reducing the overall number of meetings by 18, while also reducing prize money at meetings transferred from Moonee Valley as it undergoes reconstruction.
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