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Book a private jet charter to the Melbourne Cup


Known as “the race that stops the nation”, the Melbourne Cup is one of horse racing’s most prestigious events. Book a private jet charter to Melbourne to be a part of the fun-loving city’s glamorous celebration.

Getting to the Melbourne Cup

Melbourne’s city skyline at dawn by Albert Park Lake
Melbourne’s city skyline at dawn by Albert Park Lake

As Australia’s most fun-loving city, Melbourne knows how to throw a celebration and the day of the Melbourne Cup is a public holiday for workers in Melbourne and its surrounds. It’s common to experience bad traffic en route to the Flemington Racecourse, while navigating the commercial airport can be chaotic as fans flock to the city from throughout Australia and beyond.

Instead, join the well-heeled set and book a private jet charter to Melbourne. The closest airport to Flemington is the private jet airport Essendon – located less than six miles from the course, it’s the closest you can get to the race. We’ll have a chauffeur waiting on the tarmac to whisk you the rest of the way there – or to your hotel, if you prefer – as soon as you touch down. Contact us and a specialist will help you find the ideal aircraft and provide you with a personalized quote.

Everything You Need to Know About the Melbourne Cup

A view from the running rail of the horse racecourse field in Melbourne
A view from the running rail of the horse racecourse field in Melbourne

The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most prestigious thoroughbred race. But it wasn’t always known as “the race that stops the nation”. It was first held in 1861 to an audience of 4,000 when Flemington was quite basic, but as Victoria grew, so did the Cup. The area boomed thanks to hordes of hopefuls moving south in search of gold and by 1880, 100,000 people were attending the race.

The Melbourne Cup is a handicap race, which means the weight of the jockey is adjusted using weights. This way, younger horses carry less weight than older ones, and weight is adjusted based on the horse’s previous performances. The winner takes home the most valuable trophy in Australian athletics, a solid gold masterpiece worth AUS $175,000. In addition to the trophy, the total prize money exceeds $6 million. Of this, the top 10 horses win a piece of the pot, while the winner trots away with $3.6 million. The current record holder is 1990 winner Kingston Rule, who completed the race in 3 minutes 16.3 seconds.

The second most important element of the event – depending on whom you ask, of course – is the fashion, with prizes awarded to the best-dressed man and woman. Women don elegant ensembles that sometimes verge on the extravagant, typically finished with a dramatic hat or fascinator.

In addition to the Melbourne Cup, several other important races are held during the Carnival. The prestigious AAMI Victoria Derby Day is held the Saturday before the Cup, while Kennedy Oaks Day is traditionally the event’s Ladies Day (though thousands of men also attend). Emirates Stakes Day, held on the Saturday after the Cup, is a family event which is a bit more relaxed than the Cup.

When you’re not soaking up all the on-track action, The Park – to which all Melbourne Cup Carnival ticket holders have free access – offers an impressive roster of entertainment. This year’s musical lineup features DMA’s, who will headline the AAMI Victoria Derby Day; Hot Dub Time Machine, who will headline on Emirates Melbourne Cup Day; and San Cisco, who will play on Oaks Day.

Dates:
AAMI Victoria Derby Day: Saturday 4 November
Emirates Melbourne Cup Day: Tuesday 7 November
Kennedy Oaks Day: Thursday 9 November
Emirates Stakes Day: Saturday 11 November

Location:
Flemington Racecourse
448 Epsom Road
Flemington VIC 3031

Tickets

There’s a range of ticket options, from basic general admission to the ultimate experience in luxury. Seating is available in a number of private areas where you can slurp oysters and sip Champagne from Flemington’s best viewpoints. All tickets include access to the front lawn, Hill Square, Hill Stand Level 1, Saintly Place, The Park and all public bars. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the official website.

If you’re going all-out with a luxurious ticket package, we’ll ensure the glamor begins the moment you leave home. Allow Air Charter Service to organize a private jet charter to Melbourne for a celebration you’ll never forget.

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