It was a Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival like no other at The Valley over the weekend with the 100th running of the W.S. Cox Plate run behind closed doors. However, the two key metrics that defined success for the Moonee Valley Racing Club were realised with a record wagering figure achieved across the two days and a significant TV viewership increase through host broadcaster Channel 7.
Champion jockey Glen Boss rode high in the irons as he crossed the line on Sir Dragonet to take out the 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate and land his fourth W.S. Cox Plate. The silence in the stands may have been deafening alas the roars from loungerooms reverberated with hundreds of thousands tuning in across Australia to witness ‘The Race Where Legends Are Made’.
Seven’s coverage of the 100th running of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate was a smash hit with viewers. The Ladbrokes Cox Plate race averaged 600,000 nationally and 436,000 in metro areas, up 64.7% and 86.6% respectively year on year, while the coverage across the entire day was up 40.1% nationally and 56.5% in metro areas.
The 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival has also set a new wagering record result with $167M (+15.8% YOY) wagered over the two days. Ladbrokes Cox Plate day set a record $122.6M (+19% YOY) and another record of $44.4M (+16% YOY) was set on Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes Night. The Ladbrokes Cox Plate race itself saw $42M wagered, an increase of 29% YOY.
“In a year where the Club has taken a significant financial hit with no crowds attending our marquee two-day Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival, we are delighted to see a record result for wagering and a significant increase in TV viewership achieved over the weekend,” said Michael Browell, MVRC CEO.
“The wagering results are particularly strong given the reduced field sizes on Friday night and the rain affected track on Saturday.
“Through a lot of hard work from all in the racing industry, we have been able to complete our Carnival and the significant running of the 100th W.S. Cox Plate and to see these results come through makes all the hard work worth it.
“Racing has capitalised brilliantly through this period to attract a new audience to racing through our broadcast partners in Channel 7 and Racing.Com and through digital platforms.
“Glen Boss was the star of the day in winning an incredible fourth W.S. Cox Plate with a vintage display of riding on Sir Dragonet. We hope that the next time the race is run the stands are full again and we can enjoy an atmosphere that The Valley is known for,” said Browell.
The MVRC’s Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights season now gets into full swing from this Friday night, with the Club’s next marquee event, the $5M All-Star Mile, to be run on Saturday 13 March at The Valley.
2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival Stats:
