Join the VRC for a Day of Commemoration and Reflection.
This reverent day on the calendar is dedicated to honouring the sacrifices and bravery of Australian and New Zealand soldiers, as well as our equine heroes who have served in wars and conflicts.
ANZAC Day Race Day is headlined by the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) for three-year-olds, a historic race older than the Melbourne Cup and featuring champions like Phar Lap and Tulloch.
Let us come together to pay tribute to the ANZAC spirit and remember those who have given so much for our nations.
Friday 25 April, 2025
Gates open: 12:00 pm
First race: 1:00 pm*
Last race: 5:05 pm*
*Race times and race order are subject to change
Feature races:
Listed ANZAC Day Stakes (1400m)
Listed VRC St Leger (2800m)
General Public
Flemington Pass (General Admission)
$20 PER PERSON
$40 PER FAMILY
Witness all the thrilling racing action up close from the famous Flemington Front Lawn or in one of the many bars and eateries across course.
Hill Stand Corporate Suites
$345pp
Welcome your guests into your own private suite with one of the best views at Flemington, located opposite the Winning Post.
Flemington Race Day Annual Pass
$199pp
Enjoy all the racing action at Flemington with a Flemington Race Day Annual Pass providing general admission access to all remaining race days in 2025, including all four days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival!
Prizemoney: $202,825
3YO Set Weights plus Penalties. Apprentices cannot claim.
Last year’s winner – Ahuriri (NZ)
Registered name: ANZAC Day Handicap
Prizemoney: $177,825
2YO Handicap. Apprentices cannot claim.
Last year’s winner – Epimeles
Prizemoney: $65,000
Benchmark 84 Handicap. Apprentices can claim.
Race History
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT WILLIAM NEWTON VC (1918–1943)
Flight Lieutenant William Newton VC of 22 Squadron RAAF, an accomplished sportsman, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery, repeatedly diving through intense anti-aircraft fire to bomb enemy positions on the north coast of New Guinea. When shot down on 18 March 1943, aged 23, he was captured and ceremonially beheaded. He was one of 20 Australians awarded the VC in the Second World War.
Prizemoney: $65,000
3YO & Upwards Benchmark 78 Handicap. Apprentices can claim.
Race History
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT PETER ARMYTAGE (1923–2010)
VRC Chairman (1986–1991), VRC Committee (1978–1994)
Flight Lieutenant Peter Armytage strong advocate of country racing, served with distinction as a young officer during the Second World War. Flying with the RAF as a Lancaster wireless operator and gunner, his plane was shot down in March 1944 and after evading capture he was taken prisoner of war. In 1991 he was awarded the OAM for services to racing.
Prizemoney: $65,000
3YO & Upwards Fillies & Mares Benchmark 78 Handicap. Apprentices can claim.
Race History
AUCKLAND RACING CLUB – AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING INC.
Racing at the ARC’s Ellerslie Racecourse dates back to 1857, seventeen years after the first races at Flemington. The strong bonds and affectionate rivalry between Australia and New Zealand are exemplified in the ANZAC tradition. After a merger with the Counties Racing Club (Pukekohe Park) that was completed in July 2021, the Auckland Racing Club changed its name to Auckland Thoroughbred Racing Incorporated.
Prizemoney: $65,000
Benchmark 70 Handicap. Apprentices can claim.
Race History
WING COMMANDER IAN BAYLES DFC (1918–1998)
VRC Vice Chairman (1986–1990), VRC Committee (1978–1991)
Wing Commander Ian Bayles DFC was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for “his high level of courage and devotion to duty at all times”. Mr Bayles joined the RAF whilst studying law at Oxford, became a Spitfire Pilot at 20 years of age and fought the famous Battle of Britain in the skies over England against the Germans. In 1942 he was posted to India and Burma to fight the Japanese until the end of the war. Thoroughbred racing and breeding were a big part of his life, as was the administration of the sport, first in the country at Seymour, followed by 13 years of service at the VRC.
Prizemoney: $65,000
This race carries a VOBIS Silver Nominators Bonus of $7,000 and a VOBIS Silver Owners Bonus of $23,000 for qualified horses.
3YO Fillies Handicap. Apprentices can claim.
Race History
LES CARLYON (1942–2019)
Les Carlyon in the written and the spoken word, was simply The Master. He was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame (2016) and the Australian Media Hall of Fame (2011). He twice won Walkley Awards for journalism, along with the 2007 Prime Minister's Prize for History for The Great War. In 2014 he received the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).
Prizemoney: $65,000
3YO & Upwards Benchmark 70 Handicap. Apprentices can claim.