The Newmarket Handicap is one of Australia’s premier sprint races and a highlight of the Melbourne Autumn Carnival. Held annually at Flemington Racecourse, the Group 1 handicap race is contested over 1200m and boasts a prize pool of $1.5 million. It is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious sprint races on the Australian racing calendar, attracting the nation’s top sprinters.

First run in 1874, the Newmarket Handicap was introduced by the Victoria Racing Club to enhance the appeal of the autumn carnival. Its storied history features some of the greatest names in Australian racing, including Wakeful, Ajax, Bernborough, Schillaci, Takeover Target, and the legendary Black Caviar, who won in 2011. More recently, Redkirk Warrior achieved back-to-back victories in 2017 and 2018, a rare feat in the race’s history.

The race is the centerpiece of the ‘Super Saturday’ race card at Flemington, showcasing the best of open-class sprinting talent. While typically held at Flemington, the race was temporarily moved to Caulfield in 2007 due to track refurbishments.

The Newmarket Handicap is renowned for its rich history, prestigious status, and role as a pinnacle event for sprinters. The 2025 edition promises to uphold its legacy as a marquee race in the Australian racing calendar.