Betting Guide Β· Updated October 2026
Group 1 Races in Australia: The Complete Guide
Group 1 is the highest classification in Australian racing β the races where champions are made, stud values are set and the nation's sporting attention lands. This is your map of the Group 1 season.
01What Group 1 means
Australian black-type races are graded Listed, Group 3, Group 2 and Group 1, with Group 1 the elite tier. Grading reflects prestige and quality rather than prizemoney alone β although the biggest Group 1s now offer millions. Australia stages around 70 Group 1 races each season across thoroughbred, and a handful in greyhound and harness racing, the most of any racing nation in the world.
02The Melbourne spring carnival
Racing's heavyweight season opens in September and peaks in November. The Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate headline late October, before Flemington's four-day Melbourne Cup carnival β Derby Day, Melbourne Cup Day (the $8+ million Cup over 3200m, first Tuesday of November), Oaks Day and Champions Day. It's the richest and most-watched racing week in Australia.
03The Sydney autumn carnival
From March to April, Sydney hosts its golden season: the Chipping Norton, the George Ryder, the Doncaster Mile and T.J. Smith on Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill β the $5 million Golden Slipper for two-year-olds being the world's richest juvenile race β then The Championships at Randwick, headlined by the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
04The Everest and the new mega-races
Since 2017, The Everest at Randwick in October β a $20 million sprint over 1200m β has become the world's richest turf race by prizemoney, with slot holders selecting their runners. It's joined the calendar alongside the Golden Eagle and the Big Dance as racing's new-generation showcase events.
05Group 1s beyond the capitals
Brisbane's winter carnival features the Stradbroke Handicap and Doomben 10,000; Adelaide has the Goodwood and South Australian Derby; Perth stages the Railway Stakes and Kingston Town Classic; Melbourne's summer brings the Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket Handicap. Our Australian racing calendar lists the key dates across every state.
06Why Group 1 form matters
Black-type performances define a horse's career and its value. Group 1 winners dominate the stallion market, and Group 1 form is the gold standard for handicappers: it travels between states and seasons better than any other form line. When in doubt weighting two horses, trust the one with the Group 1 numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Group 1 races are there in Australia?βΊ
Around 70 thoroughbred Group 1s each season β the most of any country β spread across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
What are the biggest Group 1 races in Australia?βΊ
By profile: the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate, Golden Slipper and The Everest. By prizemoney, The Everest ($20m) leads, followed by the Melbourne Cup and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
What's the difference between Group 1, 2 and 3?βΊ
They're quality tiers set by the pattern committee. Group 1 is the elite level; Group 2 and 3 are strong black-type races below it, with Listed races beneath them.
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