Launceston Cup
February 24, 2027
About Launceston Cup
The Launceston Cup is Tasmania’s premier thoroughbred horse race, held annually on the last Wednesday of February at Launceston Racecourse in Mowbray. A Group 3 race run over 2,400 metres, it is the centrepiece of the Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival and one of the island state’s most eagerly anticipated sporting and social events of the year. In 2027, the race takes place on Wednesday, 24 February.
The Story Behind the Launceston Cup
The Launceston Cup has one of the longest histories of any race in Australian thoroughbred racing. The event was first run in 1865 at Launceston Racecourse, making it over 160 years old. From its earliest years, the race captured the imagination of Tasmanians, drawing horses, punters, and spectators from across the island and from the Australian mainland.
The early race was a gruelling affair run over three miles, approximately 4,800 metres, testing both horse and jockey over a demanding distance. The race distance decreased over time, moving to two miles (3,200 metres) and eventually settling at 2,400 metres in 2002, where it remains today. This distance places the Launceston Cup on a par with many of Australia’s most respected staying races and is widely considered the ideal test of a quality stayer.
Among the most remarkable chapters in the race’s long history is the story of Strop, a horse that won the Launceston Cup four times across a ten-year span, triumphing in 1866, 1869, 1874, and 1876. In an era before modern veterinary science and transport, such repeated success across multiple years was an extraordinary achievement that cemented the race’s reputation as a test of genuine quality. The Launceston Cup was classified as a Group 3 race from 1980 onwards, recognising it as one of the premium races in the Australian racing calendar.
Today the race carries prize money of $250,000 and attracts horses from Tasmania and the mainland alike. It sits within the broader Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival, a series of meetings that makes February one of the busiest and most festive months in the Tasmanian sporting calendar. The Cup day itself has evolved into a major social occasion, with fashions on the field competitions, marquees, and a carnival atmosphere that draws well beyond the racing community.
When and Where is the Launceston Cup?
The Launceston Cup is held on the last Wednesday of February each year at Launceston Racecourse, Mowbray, in northern Tasmania. In 2027, the race takes place on Wednesday, 24 February. The day is designated as a public holiday for public service workers in most of the Launceston region, reflecting the event’s deep cultural significance in the city. Here are the upcoming dates:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Wednesday, 24 February |
| 2028 | Wednesday, 23 February |
| 2029 | Wednesday, 28 February |
| 2030 | Wednesday, 27 February |
| 2031 | Wednesday, 26 February |
Ways to Celebrate the Launceston Cup
Whether you are a seasoned racing enthusiast or attending for the first time, there are plenty of ways to make the most of Launceston Cup day:
- Attend the races at Launceston Racecourse – The best way to experience Cup day is to be there in person. Launceston Racecourse hosts a full day of racing with the Cup as the headline event. Tickets and hospitality packages are available through TasRacing.
- Join the fashions on the field competition – Cup day at Launceston is as much about style as sport. Fashions on the field competitions are a staple of the event, with prizes awarded across multiple categories. Dress to impress.
- Study the form guide – Researching the field, the trainers, and the track conditions adds a deeper dimension to the experience. The Launceston Cup attracts quality stayers from both Tasmania and the mainland, and the 2,400-metre distance rewards careful selection.
- Watch live coverage – If you cannot attend in person, Sky Racing and other platforms broadcast the race live. Cup day commentary begins well before the main event, covering earlier races and pre-race analysis.
- Visit Launceston itself – Cup day is an excellent reason to explore Tasmania’s second-largest city. Launceston’s Cataract Gorge, its vibrant food scene, and its Georgian architecture make it a compelling destination beyond the racecourse.
- Learn about Tasmanian racing history – The Launceston Cup’s history stretches back to 1865, making it one of Australia’s oldest feature races. Exploring the roll of honour reveals remarkable stories of horses and jockeys who have shaped Tasmanian sporting heritage.
Facts and Figures
- The Launceston Cup was first run in 1865, making it one of Australia’s oldest thoroughbred feature races.
- The race is run over 2,400 metres at Launceston Racecourse in Mowbray, northern Tasmania.
- It is classified as a Group 3 race, a classification it has held since 1980.
- Prize money for the race stood at $250,000 in 2026.
- Cup day is a public holiday for public service workers in most of the Launceston region.
- The horse Strop won the race four times between 1866 and 1876, the most remarkable winning record in the race’s history.
- The race originally covered approximately 4,800 metres (three miles) before being shortened to its current 2,400-metre distance in 2002.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Launceston Cup?
The Launceston Cup is a Group 3 thoroughbred horse race run over 2,400 metres at Launceston Racecourse in Tasmania, Australia. First held in 1865, it is the feature race of the Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival and one of the oldest race meetings in Australia.
When is the Launceston Cup in 2027?
The Launceston Cup in 2027 takes place on Wednesday, 24 February 2027. The race is held on the last Wednesday of February each year.
Is the Launceston Cup a public holiday?
Yes. Cup day is designated as a public holiday for public service workers in most of the Launceston area in northern Tasmania, reflecting the event’s cultural significance as a major community occasion.
Spread the Word
Follow the action and share the excitement with #LauncestonCup and #LauncestonCup2027. Whether you are trackside in Mowbray or watching from the other side of the world, join in the conversation and celebrate one of Australia’s great racing traditions. If you enjoy Australian thoroughbred racing, you might also want to keep an eye on the Grand National, the United Kingdom’s most famous steeplechase, which attracts global attention each April.
Related Awareness Days
- Grand National – The UK’s most celebrated horse race, run at Aintree each April, drawing an international audience of millions.
- Kentucky Derby – The first leg of American thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, held at Churchill Downs in Kentucky each May.
- Palio Horse Race in Siena – A historic bareback horse race held in Siena, Italy, with centuries of tradition behind it, offering a fascinating counterpoint to modern thoroughbred racing.
Links
- Visit TasRacing for official Launceston Cup information and tickets
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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