Established in 1883, the Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) has enjoyed a rich and vibrant history of thoroughbred horse racing at its unique amphitheatre racecourse nestled in the heart of Moonee Ponds. Renowned for the W.S. Cox Plate, Australasia’s Weight-for-Age Championship, The Valley is also Australia’s leading night racing venue.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:895/285;" src="/dam/jcr:4c577d14-a438-465b-b69f-348b8decab51/page-4---history.jpg" width="895" height="285"></figure>The MVRC is embarking on a historic transformation of the racecourse precinct and recently launched its hospitality business, Dean and McPherson. Moonee Valley Racing Club is committed to maintaining high standards of excellence in racing and customer service. Each race meeting offers premium racing, entertainment and enjoyment throughout the year and during the Spring Racing Carnival. Our aim is to engage and excite our members and visitors about day and night racing at The Valley and through our premium Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival.

ABOUT US

HISTORY OF RACING AT THE VALLEY

The Valley’s first meeting on 15 September 1883 featured nine horses that faced Mr Doherty, the starter for the Maiden Plate. The first race resulted in a dead heat between Eveline and Pyrette. From that day on, racing at The Valley was conducted strictly ‘en regle’, with excellent accommodation for the public and healthy prizemoney for the competitors.Cox passed on a racing dynasty after his death in 1895. Cox’s son Archie was employed as Moonee Valley’s secretary and stipendiary steward in 1905. His brother-in-law, Arthur Vaughan Hiskens took the reigns to become one of Victoria’s greatest racing administrators. Another of Sam’s sons, W.S. Junior was a leading amateur jumps jockey. His association with Redleap, on whom he won the VRC Grand National Hurdle and Steeplechase double in 1892, is legendary.Renowned for its innovation, in 1998 the MVRC became Australia’s first metropolitan venue to flick the switch on night racing. On Australia Day that year, 30,000 patrons filled the course for what has now been a pivotal part of the clubs racing calendar for 22 seasons. Over 1.25 million racegoers have stepped through the turnstiles for The Valley’s popular night racing product and in 2010 introduced the 55 Second Challenge, a unique race series over the blistering distance of 955 metres.Today, The Valley is home to four Group 1 races including the W.S. Cox Plate, Manikato Stakes, A.J. Moir Stakes and William Reid Stakes.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:960/368;" src="/dam/jcr:c99417cc-a5e6-48a7-97e4-8aeb6d76de48/chpexport94415244sport-1960-tulloch-wins-the-w-s-cox-plate-from-dhaulagiri-at-moonee-valley-3.jpg" width="960" height="368"></figure>

<a href="https://www.thevalley.com.au/about/club-rules">Click here</a> to view a full list of the current MVRC Committee Members.&nbsp;

MVRC Committee Members

ANNUAL REPORTS

The Valley racecourse is the historic home of Australia’s most prestigious horse race, the W.S. Cox Plate. 

About MVRC | The Valley

About MVRC

Contact The Valley's Customer Service Centre at Moonee Valley Racing Club for raceday, event and membership information.