Inglis Banner boosts Melbourne Cup Carnival race program

Inglis was established in 1867 and is Australia’s leading thoroughbred auctioneer and a global tech innovator for the equine industry. The partnership between the VRC and the Inglis family dates back more than 25 years and this announcement cements the strength of the relationship between two leaders in the thoroughbred industry.

The Inglis Banner on TAB Champions Stakes Day will join the $350,000 Inglis Bracelet to be run during Cup Week and the Inglis Sprint - worth a record $1 million – run during the Flemington Racing Spectacular. The Ciaron Maher-trained Estriella was an impressive winner in last weekend’s Inglis Sprint, taking her career prizemoney to just under $1 million and her lucky owners were also the beneficiaries of the $200,000 Inglis Pink Bonus. All three Inglis-sponsored races are restricted to horses purchased through an Inglis sale.

VRC Chief Executive Steve Rosich said he was pleased to extend the club’s partnership with Inglis.

“Inglis have been an important partner of the Victoria Racing Club for more than two decades and they are undeniably a part of the fabric of racing in this country so we couldn't be more pleased,” Mr Rosich said.

“The addition of the Inglis Banner to the Cup Week program bolsters the racing program during Cup Week and we look forward to seeing the first edition run at Flemington later this year.”

Inglis Bloodstock Chief Executive Officer Sebastian Hutch said he was excited about the new collaboration.

“Inglis has had a long and fruitful relationship with the Victoria Racing Club and it’s a great thrill to extend that and in doing so, add the Inglis Banner for two-year-olds to the Melbourne Cup Carnival schedule,’’ Mr Hutch said.

“TAB Champions Stakes Day on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival has seen extraordinary growth in recent years and to have Inglis’ feature Victorian two-year-old race added to that program – worth not only $500,000 in prizemoney but also carrying a $200,000 Inglis Pink Bonus incentive – is of huge significance to us as a company and industry partner.’’

The VRC is in the process of confirming the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival race program and will provide an update in due course.