This reverent day on the calendar is dedicated to honouring the sacrifices and bravery of Australian and New Zealand soldiers, as well as our equine heroes who have served in wars and conflicts.
ANZAC Day Race Day is headlined by the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) for three-year-olds, a historic race older than the Melbourne Cup and featuring champions like Phar Lap and Tulloch.
Current ADF personnel and RSL Members get free general admission entry on the day and a complimentary first beverage at any retail bar on course between 1pm and 2pm, upon presentation of an appropriate ID, badge or membership card. Please visit the Membership Services windows located at the Main Entrance or Train Gate entrance on the day and present your ID to receive your free general admission ticket.
Let us come together to pay tribute to the ANZAC spirit and remember those who have given so much for our nations.
Friday 25 April, 2025
Gates open: 12:30 pm
First race: 1:00 pm*
Last race: 5:05 pm*
*Race times and race order are subject to change
Feature races:
Listed ANZAC Day Stakes (1400m)
Listed VRC St Leger (2800m)
FROM $175pp
Enjoy a memorable day of dining, racing and socialising in the stylish comfort of The Dining Room.
SOLD OUT
FROM $90pp
Settle in for a day of delicious food and thrilling racing in the vibrant and contemporary setting that is Straight Six. Offering an authentic Italian inspired menu and an expansive drinks list featuring regional wines and premium local and international beers.
SOLD OUT
PRE-PAID TABLE FROM $25pp
With its soaring views of the Flemington track below and its bright and airy design, The Atrium Trackside is the perfect spot to enjoy a day at Flemington.
SOLD OUT
PRE-PAID TABLE FROM $25pp
Serving up a casual and friendly atmosphere, the always popular Furlong Bar is the ideal place to immerse yourself in a day of racing action.
$20 PER PERSON
$40 PER FAMILY
Witness all the thrilling racing action up close from the famous Flemington Front Lawn or in one of the many bars and eateries across course.
$199pp
Enjoy all the racing action at Flemington with a Flemington Race Day Annual Pass providing general admission access to all remaining race days in 2025, including all four days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival!
TABLE OF 4 | $110
TABLE OF 6 | $150
Reserve your table for 4 or 6 on the Front Lawn and enjoy great racing with relaxed vibes, and a complimentary round of drinks per table on arrival.
$85pp
A Group of Mates package secures you a private fenced off area on the Flemington Front Lawn with tables, chairs and umbrellas, and great trackside views of The Winning Post for groups of 20 up to 50.
GRAZING from $200pp
DEGUSTATION from $290pp
Dine in style with stunning panoramic views over Flemington Racecourse, with your choice of dining experience.
$345pp
Welcome your guests into your own private suite with one of the best views at Flemington, located opposite the Winning Post.
$55pp
Members have the option to bring friends and family to a race day by either purchasing a Members Enclosure Daily Guest Ticket or using their VRC Complimentary Guest Passes to redeem a complimentary Members Enclosure Daily Guest Ticket.
A traditional ANZAC Day Ceremony will take place in the Mounting Yard at 2:55pm allowing racegoers to pay their respects to current and former service personnel. The ceremony will include the laying of the wreath, The Last Post, a minute's silence, the playing of The Rouse and performances of the Australian and New Zealand National Anthems.
A time-honoured tradition at Flemington, Two-Up will once again be back for ANZAC Day Race Day. Hear the historic ‘Come in spinner’ poem recited before the first spin at 12:30pm on the Flemington Front Lawn.
Buy an ANZAC pin from the Watsonia RSL sellers located at entry points and roaming across course throughout the day to support the ANZAC Appeal. Eftpos and cash accepted.
Racegoers will have the opportunity to explore a captivating collection of photos and displays dedicated to the Australian Light Horse Regiment. This includes the remarkable story of Bill The Bastard, Australia's most legendary war horse, on display in The Terrace.
Display courtesy of the State Library of Victoria and Running Rabbits Military Museum.
Bring the kids and head to the Flemington Family Lawn where there will be the opportunity for kids to create their own poppy artwork and write a letter to a current service man or woman. There will also be an array of lawn games, face painting and a commemorative activity centre.
Visit the TAB Saintly Place Sports Bar and enjoy the casual-style atmosphere with comfy lounges, pool tables, foosball, cold beers, and food specials. In-between races, sit back and watch the traditional ANZAC Day clash between the Pies and the Bombers!
Prizemoney: $202,825
3YO Set Weights plus Penalties. Apprentices cannot claim.
Registered name: ANZAC Day Handicap
Prizemoney: $177,825
2YO Handicap. Apprentices cannot claim.
Prizemoney: $65,000
Benchmark 84 Handicap. Apprentices can claim.
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT WILLIAM NEWTON VC (1918–1943)
Flight Lieutenant William Newton VC of 22 Squadron RAAF, an accomplished sportsman, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery, repeatedly diving through intense anti-aircraft fire to bomb enemy positions on the north coast of New Guinea. When shot down on 18 March 1943, aged 23, he was captured and ceremonially beheaded. He was one of 20 Australians awarded the VC in the Second World War.
Prizemoney: $65,000
3YO & Upwards Benchmark 78 Handicap. Apprentices can claim.
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT PETER ARMYTAGE (1923–2010)
VRC Chairman (1986–1991), VRC Committee (1978–1994)
Flight Lieutenant Peter Armytage strong advocate of country racing, served with distinction as a young officer during the Second World War. Flying with the RAF as a Lancaster wireless operator and gunner, his plane was shot down in March 1944 and after evading capture he was taken prisoner of war. In 1991 he was awarded the OAM for services to racing.
Prizemoney: $65,000
3YO & Upwards Fillies & Mares Benchmark 78 Handicap. Apprentices can claim.
AUCKLAND RACING CLUB – AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING INC.
Racing at the ARC’s Ellerslie Racecourse dates back to 1857, seventeen years after the first races at Flemington. The strong bonds and affectionate rivalry between Australia and New Zealand are exemplified in the ANZAC tradition. After a merger with the Counties Racing Club (Pukekohe Park) that was completed in July 2021, the Auckland Racing Club changed its name to Auckland Thoroughbred Racing Incorporated.
Prizemoney: $65,000
Benchmark 70 Handicap. Apprentices can claim.
WING COMMANDER IAN BAYLES DFC (1918–1998)
VRC Vice Chairman (1986–1990), VRC Committee (1978–1991)
Wing Commander Ian Bayles DFC was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for “his high level of courage and devotion to duty at all times”. Mr Bayles joined the RAF whilst studying law at Oxford, became a Spitfire Pilot at 20 years of age and fought the famous Battle of Britain in the skies over England against the Germans. In 1942 he was posted to India and Burma to fight the Japanese until the end of the war. Thoroughbred racing and breeding were a big part of his life, as was the administration of the sport, first in the country at Seymour, followed by 13 years of service at the VRC.
Prizemoney: $65,000
This race carries a VOBIS Silver Nominators Bonus of $7,000 and a VOBIS Silver Owners Bonus of $23,000 for qualified horses.
3YO Fillies Handicap. Apprentices can claim.
LES CARLYON (1942–2019)
Les Carlyon in the written and the spoken word, was simply The Master. He was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame (2016) and the Australian Media Hall of Fame (2011). He twice won Walkley Awards for journalism, along with the 2007 Prime Minister's Prize for History for The Great War. In 2014 he received the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).
Prizemoney: $65,000
3YO & Upwards Benchmark 70 Handicap. Apprentices can claim.
