Nathalia to Host 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour

After receiving a record-breaking number of applications, the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) today announced Nathalia in Victoria will 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-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 Nathalia on Saturday 5 October with Nathalia Agricultural Society planning a range of community events including the Cup making a special visit to the Nathalia Agricultural Show.

Nathalia Agricultural Society Secretary, Ellen Morcombe said the town is looking forward to being part of this year’s tour.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be part of this year's tour and share the magic of the People's Cup with the community at our annual Nathalia Agricultural Show in October, which fittingly is Lexus Melbourne Cup themed this year."

Nathalia 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 number of applications from across the world signifies the global appeal of “the race that stops a nation™”.

“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,” Mr Wilson said.

“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.