Newmarket Handicap: Date, how to watch, past winners & more

The Newmarket Handicap is a Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race that is raced over 1200m at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, in March.

The Newmarket Handicap is part of the Victorian Racing Club autumn carnival, and is also one of the most prestigious sprint races on the Australian racing calendar.

A handicap race for open class sprinters, with $1.5million in prizemoney up for grabs, the Newmarket Handicap attracts the best sprinters in the land.

Flemington hosts the Melbourne Cup each year, and many believe the Newmarket Handicap is the second biggest race to be staged at the venue.

Here is our guide to the Newmarket Handicap.

Newmarket Handicap date

The Newmarket Handicap is part of the VRC autumn carnival and is raced in March each year.

The 2024 edition of the Newmarket Handicap will take place on Saturday 9th March, and goes up against the Group 1 Coolmore Classic, which is held at Rosehill in Sydney.

Newmarket Handicap time

The exact time for the Newmarket Handicap has yet to be announced, but in 2023 it was Race 7 on a bumper card, and is likely to be the same in 2024.

Newmarket Handicap location

The Newmarket Handicap will once again be held at the infamous Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.

Flemington has hosted every Newmarket Handicap apart from the 2007 edition, which switched to Caulfield Racecourse.

That was because of refurbishment work that was taking place at Flemington.

How to watch Newmarket Handicap

The Newmarket Handicap will be shown free-to-air on Channel 7.

Newmarket Handicap history

The Newmarket Handicap is steeped in history and was first race in 1874. Maid Of Avenel was the first ever winner of the race.

The Victoria Racing Club wanted a short six furlong sprint to add interest to their calendar, and the Newmarket Handicap was born.

It was a Principal Race up until 1979 when it was awarded Group 1 status, and has remained that way since.

Newmarket Handicap prize money

The Newmarket Handicap is not one of the richest races on the Australian racing calendar, but a total prize fund of $1.5million is still up for grabs.

The winner of the race takes home $900,000, while second and third place win $270,000 and $135,000 respectively.

Sixth, seventh and eighth all take home $30,000 for their efforts.

Newmarket Handicap past winners 

In Secret won the 2023 edition of the Newmarket Handicap for trainer James Cummings and jockey Dean Holland.

There have been some famous winners of the Newmarket Handicap, including Redkirk Warrior.

Redkirk Warrior is just the fifth horse to win the race on two occasions, going back-to-back in 2017 and 2018.

The infamous Black Caviar also won the Newmarket Handicap in 2011.

Newmarket Handicap odds

Imperatriz is the hot fancy at 5.00 to win the 2024 Newmarket Handicap, while Espiona and Private Eye are both available at 6.00.

Last year’s winner, In Secret, can be backed at 13.00.