VRC Oaks: Date, how to watch, past winners, latest odds and more

The VRC Oaks is a Group 1 thoroughbred horse race which takes place at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne in November.

The VRC Oaks is a Group 1 thoroughbred horse race that takes place at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, each November.

Part of the Victoria Racing Club Spring Carnival, the VRC Oaks is for three-year-old fillies and is raced under set weight conditions.

Raced over 2500m, the VRC Oaks is a true staying test and, with $1million in prize money up for grabs, always attracts a strong field.

Here is everything you need to know about the VRC Oaks.

VRC Oaks date

The VRC Oaks is part of the Victoria Racing Club Spring Carnival and is always raced on the third day, which is the Thursday after the Melbourne Cup.

It is also known as ‘Oaks Day’ and ‘Ladies Day’, meaning fashion is a big feature of the day.

The 2024 edition of the VRC Oaks will take place on Thursday 7th November.

VRC Oaks time

The exact time of the VRC Oaks has yet to be announced, but in 2023 it was Race 8 on a bumper card and is likely to stay the same in 2024.

VRC Oaks venue

The VRC Oaks is always raced at the iconic Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria.

VRC Oaks how to watch

The VRC Oaks will be shown free-to-air on Channel 7 and also via the 7plus app.

VRC Oaks prize money

The total prize fund for the VRC Oaks stands at a cool $1million.

The winner will receive $600,000, second $180,000 and third place $90,000.

The top eight in the VRC Oaks are all awarded prize money, with sixth, seventh and eighth all taking home $20,000 for their efforts.

VRC Oaks history

The VRC Oaks was first raced way back in 1861 and was won by a horse named Palestine.

It was originally a Principal Race, but was upgraded to Group 1 status in 1979 and has remained so ever since.

The race was known as the VRC Oaks up until 2006. From 2007 to 2016 it was known as the Crown Oaks, before being renamed again in 2017.

It is now the Kennedy Oaks for sponsorship reasons, but true racing enthusiasts still refer to it as the VRC Oaks.

VRC Oaks past winners

Zardozi was the winner of the 2023 edition of the VRC Oaks for trainer James Cummings and jockey James McDonald.

Miss Finland is arguably the most famous winner of the VRC Oaks, after also winning the Golden Slipper, Thousand Guineas, Australian Guineas and Vinery Stud Stakes.

Mosheen and Samantha Miss are among the other notable winners.

VRC Oaks odds

Hurry Curry, Powers Of Opal and Too Darn Discreet are all priced at 7.00 to win the 2024 edition of the VRC Oaks.

 Femminile can be backed at 11.00, while Comanche Miss, Harlem Queen and Pleasure Artist are all rated at 13.00.