Harden-Murrumburrah, Boorowa And Coota To Host 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour

After receiving a record-breaking number of applications, the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) announced this week that Harden-Murrumburrah, Boorowa and Cootamundra would play host to the $750,000 18-carat-gold trophy as part of the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.

Since its inaugural journey in 2003, the tour has travelled over one million kilometres, visiting more than 640 destinations to unite communities and provide the once-in-a-life-time opportunity to get up close and experience the magic of the People’s Cup.

This includes visiting 482 schools, 401 hospitals and aged care facilities, participating in over 2100 community events and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local fundraising initiatives.

This year’s tour will see the $750,000 18-carat-gold trophy visit 39 destinations across the globe with the final route spanning six countries including Australia, Japan, USA, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The 22nd edition of the annual tour will visit Boorowa on Monday, July 8 and Cootamundra and Harden – Murrumburrah on Tuesday, July 9.

Harden Pony Club President Courtney Jones said the community was looking forward to welcoming the trophy later this year.

“Harden Pony Club is beyond excited to host the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour when it visits our twin towns of Harden - Murrumburrah.”

“The tour is a great opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate our rich equine history in thoroughbred racing, pony club, eventing, the first Australian Light Horse, polo and polocrosse to name a few. This represents our passion for horsemanship and sportsmanship, and what better way to celebrate than sharing this amongst our community.”

Boorowa Hospital Auxiliary member Jenifer Carter said the Boorowa Hospital Auxilary were very excited to host the tour.

“This is great news for the Boorowa Hospital and the wider community, we look forward to welcoming the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour in July.”

Cootamundra Picnic Race Club President Dianne Williams said the club is looking forward to being part of this year’s tour.

“We are very excited to be hosting this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour! We look forward to using the visit to promote country racing and its connection to the Lexus Melbourne Cup.”

Boorowa, Cootamundra and Harden - Murrumburrah will also be part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep, which will see 24 rural and regional Cup Tour destinations across Australia be allocated a barrier for the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup.

Representatives from each of the 24 destinations will be flown to Melbourne to watch the Lexus Melbourne Cup live on track at Flemington Racecourse and the town which draws the barrier of the winning horse will be presented with a cash prize of $50,000 to put towards a charity of their choice.

VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said the record-breaking interest in the tour highlights the significance of the Lexus Melbourne Cup to people of Australia and around the world. “After receiving a record-breaking number of applications, the Victoria Racing Club is delighted to announce the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour will visit 39 destinations in 2024.”

“After 21 years, the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour has continued to grow and evolve into a significant community event that allows us to share the magic of the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy in remote parts of Australia and overseas, far away from Flemington and the first Tuesday in November.”

“This year’s tour will also visit a number of international destinations including New York for the Belmont Gold Cup which will offer a golden ticket to the winner into this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup for the first time, further emphasising the internationalisation and reach of our iconic race.”

This year’s tour will commence its journey on Friday May 31, kicking off in Tokyo. Tour destinations will be supported by the VRC to plan and host a range of memorable community events during the Cup’s visit. A stable of racing legends will accompany the Cup as tour ambassadors and share their unforgettable Lexus Melbourne Cup moments.

For further information about the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour please visit MelbourneCupTour.com.au

• Topics:

• Equestrian
• What's on