Glitz, glamour dominate the fashions at Flemington Racecourse for the 2024 Victoria Derby Day

Glitz and glamour have dominated the start of Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival, as thousands of punters flocked to Flemington Racecourse for the Penfolds Victoria Derby Day.

First held in 1855, it has run for 169 years and is known as the “day for racing purists” around the world.

Nine races are scheduled to take place at Flemington for Derby Day, with $2m up for grabs for the first horse to cross the line in the main event, which kicks off at 4.20pm.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival is the largest major event in Victoria which attracted 262,000 visitors to Melbourne.

It generated more than $468m in economic benefits last year.

“The thoroughbred racing industry in Victoria contributes more than $3.4bn for the Victorian economy every year and helps sustain more than 25,000 jobs across the state,” Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines said.

Victoria Racing Club chief executive officer Kylie Rogers said the Melbourne Cup Carnival was Australia’s most celebrated racing event which was broadcast to a global audience of 750 million people.