The Melbourne Racing Club conducts 82 race meetings annually across its three premier racecourses – Caulfield, Mornington Racing Club and Ladbrokes Park.

Approximately 2,000 staff are employed by the Club, peaking to approximately 2,500 during the Spring Carnival.

Today’s diverse and professional organisation is a far cry from the fledgling outfit that began its life as the Victorian Amateur Turf Club more than 135 years ago.

The first chapter of the VATC story was written in 1875 – at 7pm on Wednesday October 13 to be precise – when six thoroughbred enthusiasts assembled at Craig’s Hotel in the township of Ballarat, situated just over 100 kilometres west of Melbourne