Australian Group Races are the highest class of thoroughbred race in Australian racing. The Australian Racing Board approves recommended Group races which are then published in 'The Blue Book' by the Jockey Club in the United States to allow Australian feature races to receive international recognition. The most recognised group races in Australia are the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and WS Cox Plate, which are all Group 1 races.
Group races are divided into 4 categories;
Group 1 - at least $250,000 prizemoney - 60+ races per season
Group 2 - at least $125,000 prizemoney - 80+ races per season
Group 3 - at least $75,000 prizemoney - 110+ races per season
Listed - at least $50,000 prizemoney - 280+ races per season
Owners, breeders, trainers jockeys all aspire to win Group races, the bigger the better, and they are commonly referred to as 'Black Type' races and are more prominent at major racing carnivals, especially Melbourne and Sydney during autumn or spring. Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth also have prominent racing carnivals throughout the year.
Group races often have regular name changes due to new sponsorship deals but overall stay much the same, although a Group race may change status at any point in time if a particular race changes up or down in value according to set out criteria. Group races total over 540+ races each year and assume around 2-3% of total races held each season in Australia.
The Australian racing season runs from August to July each year and below we have listed all the Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 races on the racing calendar.
Australian Group Races - 2009/2010 racing season
| July 2010 |
| Date |
Track |
Grp |
Race Name |
Distance |
Race Type |
| No Group Races in July |
Visit our Australian Group 1 Races page to see all Group 1 feature races held in Australia each year. For group racing results please go to our Group Races Results page where you will find winners and placegetters of all group races held in recent times.
