Named in honour of former VRC Chairman Richard Turnbull, the Turnbull Stakes was awarded Group 1 status in 2006. Richard Turnbull was the first incumbent VRC Chairman to own a Melbourne Cup winner when Sirius saluted in 1944. He also owned East End, who took the VRC Oaks in 1942.

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One of the VRC's oldest races, the Coolmore Stud Stakes, was originally run as the Ascot Vale Stakes for two-year-olds from 1863 before being changed to a set weight race for three-year-olds in 1969. Initially run over five furlongs (1000m) it became a six furlong (1200m) race in 1872.

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The traditional final weight-for-age lead-up race for the Melbourne Cup, the L.K.S. Mackinnon Stakes was added to the Flemington spring carnival program in 1869 as the Melbourne Stakes. It remained under that name until 1936 when it was renamed in honour of former VRC chairman Lachlan Kenneth Scobie Mackinnon the year after his death.

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The oldest classic race on the Victorian racing calendar, the AAMI Victoria Derby was first contested in 1855, six years before the Melbourne Cup. After Fireworks won the race in 1867, it was decided to change the Derby date to New Year's Day enabling Fireworks to become the only dual winner of the race

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First run in 1988 as the Honda Legend, the 1600m weight-for-age race MYER Classic always attracts top fields of fillies and mares and is the VRC's only Group 1 race for mares.

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Australia's most famous race, the $6 million Emirates Melbourne Cup is the richest handicap in the world. The race originated in 1861 as a result of one upmanship between the Victoria Jockey Club and the Victoria Turf Club. In that year the Turf Club decided to introduce a two mile handicap, to be called the Melbourne Cup, to trump its rival club.

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The oldest fillies' classic in Australia the Crown Oaks was first contested in 1859, the same year as the inaugural Melbourne Cup. Initially run over 12 furlongs, the distance was changed to 2400m with the introduction of metrics in racing in 1972, before becoming a 2500m race the following year to provide a longer run out of the straight before the first turn.

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First run in 1960, the Patinack Farm Classic has been won by some of Australia's best sprinters. Winners include stars such as Star Of Heaven, Vain, Dual Choice, Century, Maybe Mahal, Rooney, Rubitano and Takeover Target.

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First run as the Cantala Stakes in 1919, the Emirates Stakes is the premier "mile" or 1600m race in Victoria. Some famous names have won the race, particularly since 1960 when Aquanita scored the first of his successive victories. Vain, Gunsynd, Taj Rossi, Maybe Mahal, Family of Man, Testa Rossa, Better Loosen Up and Shaftesbury Avenue are some of the outstanding winners.

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First run in 1955, the Coolmore Lightning Stakes is Australia's only Group 1 race run over the short course of 1000 metres. Its honour roll of winners includes many great champions of the Australian turf such as Todman, Sky High, Century, Schillaci, Mahogany, Choisir, Takeover Target and Miss Andretti.

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Recognised as Australia's premier sprint, the Newmarket Handicap was first run in 1874, being the brainchild of VRC committeeman Captain Frederick Standish who thought a "short and merry" race over six furlongs would add interest to the club's autumn program.

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First run in 1986, the Crown Australian Guineas has quickly established a reputation as being one of the country's main three-year-old races. Notable winners include Military Plume, Zabeel, Mahogany, Gold Guru, Reset and the brilliant Miss Finland.

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One of the oldest races on the Australian calendar, the Australian Cup was first contested at Flemington over 18 furlongs in 1863, when Barwon won. Originally a handicap, the Australian Cup became a weight-for-age Group 1 event in 1979 and has remained that way since, except for 1982-86 when it reverted to its original handicap state.

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