Crown Oaks Club Lunch kicks off new partnership

More than 1,250 guests descended on Crown Melbourne in their best racewear for an afternoon of world-class entertainment, delicious food and wine and beautiful fashion including a special performance from Irish superstar Ronan Keating and Lexus Melbourne Cup winning jockey Robbie Dolan.

The annual event was hosted by Nine Network’s James Bracey and Belinda Russell and featured Australia’s leading female sports superstars in a panel discussion including Lexus Melbourne Cup winning jockey and Melbourne Cup Carnival ambassador Michelle Payne OAM, multiple Olympic gold medallist and Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador Ariarne Titmus OAM and dual Paralympic gold medallist Alexa Leary.

A star-studded guest list attended including special guest of the VRC Elizabeth Hurley and her son Damian Hurley, Channel Nine’s Alicia Loxley, Today Show presenter Christine Ahern, interior designer and TV personality Shaynna Blaze and Nine News weather presenter Livinia Nixon, Olympic gold medallist Brianna Throssell, VRC Ambassadors Crystal Kimber-Peters, Paralympian Emma Booth, Olympian Amanda Ross, Crown ambassador Francesca Hung and social personality Hannah Dal Sasso. 

Chairman of the Victoria Racing Club Neil Wilson said it was a wonderful way to celebrate on the eve of the first Crown Oaks Day.

“The Crown Oaks Club Lunch is such a special event for the VRC each year, and this year we celebrate our enhanced partnership with Crown as naming rights partner of Oaks Day,” Mr Wilson said.

“We’ve seen an incredible turn out with more than 1,250 guests in attendance, all in their finest racewear. And we’ve witnessed a special performance from the man of the hour Robbie Dolan, fresh off winning the Lexus Melbourne Cup aboard Knight’s Choice for trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon, alongside fellow Irishman Ronan Keating. What a way to ring in tomorrow’s Crown Oaks Day and continue an incredible Carnival.”

Crown Melbourne CEO Mike Volkert concurred.

“It is a pleasure for us to host the annual Crown Oaks Club lunch, ahead of our return as the naming rights sponsor of Crown Oaks Day at Flemington tomorrow,” Mr Volkert said.

“I am looking forward to another great day of racing, where Crown will once again bring our world-class hospitality trackside.”

Olympic Rower and Good Friday Appeal ambassador Jean Mitchell also spoke to the work performed by the charity and the important role Crown Oaks Day plays in helping raise vital funds for The Royal Children’s Hospital. More than $41,000 was raised by the raffle for the Good Friday Appeal, which is also the Community Partner for Crown Oaks Day tomorrow.

The 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival continues tomorrow on Crown Oaks Day on Thursday 7 November, and concludes with TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 9 November.