The roar of the crowd. The thunder of hooves. This is Moonee Valley Racecourse.
Picture this. You stand before the iconic Melbourne landmark. It’s more than just a racetrack. Moonee Valley Racecourse is a living testament to Australia’s passion for horse racing. Established in 1883 it’s steeped in history. It hosted the very first metropolitan night races in Australia. A unique amphitheatre track draws visitors in. They experience racing up close and personal.
Did you know that the record attendance at Moonee Valley was a staggering 50,670? That was for the 1960 Cox Plate. An incredible spectacle. Night racing also draws huge crowds. The opening night in 1998 saw 32,342 people attend. Impressive figures. Today the venue’s capacity is around 25,000. Parts of the hill were sadly blocked off to make way for housing.
But there’s much more to this place than just numbers. The land itself holds stories. It was originally a farm. Richard Feehan owned it. He leased it to William Samuel Cox in 1882. Cox transformed it into the legendary racecourse we see today. The Feehan family legacy is still strongly connected to Moonee Valley. A street near the racecourse has even been renamed Feehan Avenue. A fitting tribute. The Cox Plate itself a race worth over $3 million annually commemorates William Samuel Cox. It’s Australia’s third richest race. The race has been running every October since its inception.
A massive redevelopment is transforming Moonee Valley Racecourse. It will become a world-class multi-sport venue. The best night racing venue in the world. A spectacular new grandstand is planned. The racetrack will be reoriented. The infield will be developed for community and major events. This ambitious project will ensure that Moonee Valley Racecourse will continue to thrive. The venue will continue to play a central role in Melbourne’s sporting and social life for generations to come. A true icon of Melbourne. A place where history and excitement intertwine. This is Moonee Valley Racecourse.