Spring Racing Season 2026 is officially on: This year’s Do’s and Don’ts
The Australian horse racing season has officially kicked off and is in full swing. Come September, the horses themselves have turned an official one year older, records have been reset, and preparations ramp up for major Spring racing carnivals. So how ready are you for the season?
Whether you’re heading down to Flemington Racecourse for pre-Melbourne Cup racing, being hosted in a glamorous marquee somewhere closer to home, or even hosting your own soiree, here are a few tips of what to do and not to do during Spring racing events.
DO’S
DO stock up on quality champagne for that special big racing event
A great pick for any special occasion, especially sporting and racing ones, is Lanson’s classic Le Black Création Brut. This delicious bottle of bubbly is a proper Champagne brut blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier – which have been aged for no less than four years on “lees” – yeast cells left in after the second fermentation which leaves the champers possessing fine bubbles, and a refreshing vibrant taste. In fact we can sense notes of citrus, apple and even stone fruit, rounded out nicely with an almondy/brioch-y after-taste. You’ll find Lanson Le Black Création Brut number 259 or its sister champagne number 258 in stock at quality liquor outlets such as BWS and Dan Murphy’s, at around $80.00 a bottle.
DO pace your drinking
It’s likely to be a long afternoon of drinking and socialising any racing day. Keep tabs on the drinking – and the socialising will be a lot merrier.
DO mind your Ps and Qs during the big race
Nobody likes a loudmouth when everyone else is trying to hear what’s going on at the races. Sure, it’s exciting if your horse is coming first, second or third mid-race but don’t scream as if it’s won the thing already. Hold the excitement in for those few extra seconds!
DO wear sunscreen
If you’re spending most of your day outdoors, slap some good SPF protection on.
DO check the dress code for hospitality areas
Put simply, most folks like to see you dressing up for any race day, especially for the big one: the Melbourne Cup. Rule of thumb: avoid jeans, t-shirts, flip-flops (of course), and excess attitude.
DO remember to place a bet
No matter how big or small you’d like to bet, it’s always fun to be a part of something big like the Melbourne Cup.
DON’TS
DON’T go too crazy if your horse makes a place
Yes, be generous and buy a round for your mates, but once you start promising Rolex watches for friends and then don’t follow through, you’ll look like a try-hard player.
DON’T drink too much and end up falling about
What’s the point of being all dressed up and making a good impression, only to be tipping over your glad rags by the end of it all?
DON’T take your shoes off in public
Okay, perhaps on the way home in the car – and only if your tootsies aren’t too whiffy by then.
DON’T get upset if your bet isn’t a winner
Nobody likes a sore loser. And you’re there to have fun, number one. Just think of that money spent having gone towards a good time!
DON’T wear a fascinator that’s too over-the-top (Ladies!)
This is an important one. It’s nice to want to stand out, but remember you’re not the star of the show during Melbourne Cup or any racing day, for that matter – the horses and jockeys are. Do your bit to celebrate by looking fine but don’t think it’s all about you.
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