Major moves made for Melbourne Racing Club’s key Caulfield races

The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has announced changes to its racing program and prizemoney for the 2025/26 season.

The Group 1 Thousand Guineas and Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes have been reinstated to their previous dates on the calendar.

The Thousand Guineas will return to Caulfield Cup Day on October 18 while the Rupert Clarke will be on Underwood Stakes Day on September 20, so it can precede the Toorak Handicap.

Additionally, the Group 1 Underwood is now worth $1 million after being boosted by $250,000.

The Group 1 CF Orr Stakes has been moved from the Autumn and will now run on November 15 to go after the Spring Carnival.

A new race has also been introduced - the Melbourne Classic over 2000m for three-year-olds to debut at Caulfield on November 29.

“The MRC continues to lead with innovation and investment,” said MRC Chairman John Kanga.

“These changes reflect our ongoing commitment to attracting top-tier horses, delivering high-quality racing, and creating outstanding experiences for our members, owners, trainers, punters, and fans.”

Key changes to the 2025 program include:

• Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas ($1.5 million) returns to Sportsbet Caulfield Cup Day (Saturday, 18 October)
• Group 1 Sportsbet Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes ($1 million) rejoins the Underwood Stakes on Caulfield Charity Family Day (Saturday, 20 September), which also receives a prizemoney uplift to $1 million.
• $1 million Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m, 3YO fillies) on Saturday, 15 November, alongside Group 1 Sportsbet C.F. Orr Stakes ($1 million), and Group 2 Sportsbet Sandown Guineas ($400,000)
• Introduction of the Melbourne Classic, a new $400,000 2000m race for three-year-olds, debuting at Caulfield on Saturday, 29 November.

2025 Prizemoney increases at Caulfield:

• Underwood Stakes: $1 million (previously $750,000)
• Sportsbet C.F. Orr Stakes: $1 million (previously $750,000)
• Thoroughbred Club Stakes: $1 million (previously $200,000)
• Sportsbet Sandown Guineas: $400,000 (previously $300,000)

The initiative comes in conjunction with Racing Victoria’s (RV) announcement of increased prizemoney for the VRC’s Melbourne Cup and MVRC’s Cox Plate.