Home

News

2026 10 16

Global Footer

Moonee Valley Racing Club respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of this land – the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation – and pays our respects to its Elders past, present, and emerging.

Racing

Race-Day Info

Event Calendar

Group 1 Races

Tickets & Dining

Membership

Become A Member

Club 100 Membership

Browse Dining Options

Cox Plate Hub

2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate 

Dining & Hospitality

Browse All Packages

Ladbrokes Cox Plate Hub

About

The Club

MVRC Club Rules

Venues

TOTE BAR & DINING

Redevelopment

The Valley Of Tomorrow

BOOK TICKETS

Tickets and Dining at The Valley

The Moonee Valley Racing Club is delighted to announce that Australian singer Michael Paynter will perform The Horses at the 2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, 24 October.

Michael Paynter to perform The Horses at 2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate

<p>The Moonee Valley Racing Club is delighted to announce that Australian singer Michael Paynter will perform The Horses at the 2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, 24 October.</p><p>A much-loved Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day tradition and a highlight of the build-up to Australia's Best Race, The Horses will take on a new voice in 2026, with Paynter carrying on the tradition following Daryl Braithwaite's retirement from performing earlier this year.</p><p>Paynter recently performed the Australian national anthem at the 2026 AFL Grand Final and is set to take centre stage portraying John Farnham in Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical.<br>He has also performed alongside some of Australia's biggest names in music, including Icehouse, Jimmy Barnes, Delta Goodrem and The Veronicas.</p><p>Joining Paynter on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day will be Tarryn Stokes, winner of The Voice Australia 2023, who will perform the Australian national anthem.</p><p>The final field for the $6 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate will be declared at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, 20 October, with the barrier draw to be conducted that evening.</p><p>The 2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate takes place at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, 24 October, as Australia's Best Race heads to a new stage for one year only.</p>

<p>The Valley will once again play host to a leg of the National Pony Racing Series, with the Victorian event set to take place on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day, Saturday 22 March.</p><p>A collaboration between Pony Club Australia and Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC), the series is designed to educate young riders on careers in the racing and breeding industry, giving them a taste of professional competition on major racedays.</p><p>The series features six race meetings across Australia, culminating in the national finals in June. Before the Victorian leg, Ballarat hosted a Jumpstart weekend, where participants received riding instruction, horse health education, career insights, and rider fitness training.&nbsp;</p><p>In preparation for their big moment on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day, competitors will also take part in a training day at The Valley to familiarise themselves with the track.</p><p>On Saturday, two pony races will be held for state finalists aged 9 to 15. The first, over 450m at 11:30 am, is for ponies not exceeding 12.2hh, while the second, over 700m, is for ponies not exceeding 14hh. That event will take place following Race 3 on the card at 1:30 pm.&nbsp;</p><p>Moonee Valley Racing Club has enjoyed its association with TIC and Pony Club Australia, providing young riders with the opportunity to gain experience on a major racing stage. The Valley hosted a leg of the first National Pony Racing Series in 2023, and last year on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day held a Shetland Pony Race.</p><p>With the next generation of riders set to take centre stage once again, The Valley looks forward to another thrilling chapter in this growing series.</p>

<h2 style="text-align:center;">You may also like</h2><ul><li><h4><a href="https://www.thevalley.com.au/news/2025-02-02/news-contenders-shocks-nz-g1-target"><strong>Shock's NZ Group 1 target</strong></a></h4><p>2 February, 2025</p></li><li><h4><a href="https://www.thevalley.com.au/news/2024-10-23/news-preview-bedggood-pair-please-at-valley"><strong>Bedggood pair please at Valley</strong></a></h4><p>23 October, 2024</p></li><li><h4><a href="https://www.thevalley.com.au/news/2024-10-22/news-preview-no-valley-concerns-for-broadsiding"><strong>No Valley concerns for Broadsiding</strong></a></h4><p>22 October, 2024</p></li></ul>

The Moonee Valley Racing Club is delighted to announce that Australian singer Michael Paynter will perform The Horses at the 2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day

Latest News

103 horses, international-trained gallopers, Chris Waller, James McDonald, Cox Plate nominations