- World famous event known as the ‘race the stops a nation’
- Attracts millions of viewers, including regular racing fans
The Melbourne Cup is at risk of losing its status as ‘the race that stops a nation’ as a leading racing commentator delivers 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 of the national racing calendar ever since.
Australia’s most famous horse race has become an annual holiday in Victoria, attracting millions of Australian and international viewers, including ordinary people who watch just one race a year.
It is a beloved event that leading racing commentator Bruce McAvaney has enjoyed for four decades.
But now the Channel 7 icon has warned The Melbourne Cup’s time at the pinnacle of Australian sport is coming to an end.
“It’s no longer holding the nation back,” McAvaney said.
“My gut feeling is that within the racing community the Melbourne Cup has diminished a little bit, but for those who are not racegoers, or who are racegoers once a year, it has diminished enormously.
“Years ago, people might not have been as invested in the magic of the Cup, but they weren’t aggressively anti-racing. Nowadays, more and more people are turning their backs on racing.
The Melbourne Cup has always been heralded as the race that stops a nation, attracting millions of viewers in Australia and around the world (pictured, Demi Brereton holding this year’s Cup at Flemington Racecourse)
Interest in the Melbourne Cup has begun to decline in recent years as spectator numbers fell and other events challenged involvement
‘It’s being challenged by Everest, which has only been around for eight years, and the Cox Plate is getting closer.
Attendance at the Melbourne Cup has varied over time, with attendance peaking in 2003 when more than 122,000 spectators filled Flemington Racecourse.
Throughout the 2000s, visitor numbers often remained high, with typical numbers around 100,000; however, there have been fluctuations in recent years.
In 2022, visitor numbers were estimated at around 71,000 – almost 30,000 fewer than previous years.
While it was more encouraging in 2023 with 84,000 people at Flemington, McAvaney said other events such as the AFL Grand Final had overtaken the Melbourne Cup.
“It was a big thing… it was about suburbs and neighborhoods, and it was for one race. It was by far the largest sporting event in the country. There was a large margin on the [then] VFL [now AFL] grand finale,” 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.
Veteran Channel Seven commentator Bruce McAvaney believes the Melbourne Cup is starting to lose its appeal
Timing in mid-October, The Everest appeals to a younger audience and has shifted the focus somewhat from the Melbourne Cup ahead of the spring racing season.
The 2024 Melbourne Cup promises an exciting field with several high-profile contenders eyeing the prestigious title, but fan favorite Via Sistina will not race after being withdrawn by her owners.
Early favorites include Without A Fight, last year’s cup winner, and Vauban, the impressive Irish stayer who has performed strongly in recent European races.
Gold Trip, the 2022 Melbourne Cup champion, and Soulcombe, a promising local runner, are also attracting attention, making this year’s race an exciting mix of international and local talent.