Adelaide Cup Day

Adelaide Cup Day History

Adelaide Cup Day is an annual event in South Australia, celebrated predominantly for its thoroughbred horse racing. Held at the Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide, this event attracts horse racing enthusiasts and spectators from across the nation. Besides the exhilarating horse races, Adelaide Cup Day also offers various entertainment options, including live music performances, fashion parades, and a variety of food and drink options, ensuring a fun-filled day for all attendees.

The Adelaide Cup was first held in 1864 and has since grown into one of Australia's premier horse racing events. Over the years, the race has attracted top trainers, jockeys, and horses, further enhancing its prestige and competitive spirit. Adelaide Cup Day not only draws in patrons from South Australia but has become an essential event in the Australian horse racing calendar. Its impact is felt across the nation as it contributes to the thriving horse racing industry, sustaining jobs for trainers, breeders, and jockeys, and providing opportunities for local businesses to flourish.

Adelaide Cup Day celebrations extend beyond just the racecourse, with various establishments throughout South Australia hosting special events, parties, and exclusive promotions. These gatherings allow both dedicated racing aficionados and casual attendees to indulge in the festive atmosphere, socialize, and enjoy the day's excitement. Adelaide Cup Day is observed on the second Monday of March, and in South Australia, it is recognized as a public holiday.

Top facts about Adelaide Cup Day

• At the 2022 Adelaide Cup, jockey Jamie Kah won the race while riding Daqiansweet Junior, a 5 year old gelding from New Zealand.
• In 2022, the prize money of the Adelaide Cup was $302,250.
• The Adelaide Cup and the Melbourne Cup are the same length (3200m), however no horse since Subzero in 1992 has been able to win both Cups.
• Originally, the race was run over 13 furlongs, then 16 furlongs and with the adoption of the metric system, it was changed to 3200m in 1973.
• All the function areas, apart from the beer garden, which is a fresh initiative this year, are sold out - Brenton Wilkinson, chief executive of Adelaide Cup

In the News and Trending for Adelaide Cup Day

Top things to do for Adelaide Cup Day

• Attend the Adelaide Cup. Get your tickets early because the races, venues and events get sold out quickly.
• Wear red. Red is the official colour of the Adelaide Cup and it is recommended that red be worn on Cup day.
• Get shopping for an outfit. Race day outfits are very traditional and for ladies, include fancy hats.
• Watch a movie about horse racing. Some of our favourites: Racing Stripes (2005), Seabiscuit (2003), Secretariat (2010), The Derby Stallion (2005) and Dreamer (2005).
• Spread awareness of the day on social media using hashtags #SAPublicHoliday, #AdelaideCup, #AdelaideCupDay and #AdelaineCupWinner.