All-Star Mile finally gets permanent place at Flemington Racecourse

One of Australia’s richest races will have a new home in the 2025/26 horse racing season. The All-Star Mile (1600m) will move to     Flemington Racecourse in 2026. It will stay there for the foreseeable future.  
 
Previously, the All-Star Mile had hopped around Melbourne’s big three racecourses–Flemington Racecourse, Caulfield Racecourse, and The Valley. In addition to guaranteeing a permanent home, the move also gives the All-Star Mile Group 1 status for at least the 2025/26 season. 

All-Star Mile gets new home 

Racing Victoria announced on Friday significant changes to its racing schedule and structure that will be starting in the 2025/26 season. One of the biggest of these changes was that the All-Star Mile was getting a new home.  
 
After back-to-back runs at Caulfield in 2024 and 2025, the All-Star Mile will be moving to Flemington in 2026. This move will bring the race back to its home. The very first All-Star Mile won by Mystic Journey at Flemington in 2019.  
 
The new All-Star Mile will take place as a part of Flemington’s Super Saturday slate of races in March 2026, along with the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap.  
 
“We’re excited to confirm Flemington as the home for the All-Star Mile, to be run on Super Saturday, one of the autumn’s most iconic racedays, that will be further strengthened with this elite mile race,” said Racing Victoria Chief Executive Aaron Morrison. 
The All-Star Mile will also now be linked with the Australian Cup, one of Racing Victoria’s marquee March races.

Group 1 status gained 

In addition to gaining a new home, the All-Star Mile now has a new status. Previously a special conditions invitational race, the All-Star Mile will gain Group 1 status in 2026.  
 
With this status, the All-Star Mile is set to be one of the most high profile Group 1 races run in Melbourne in 2026.  
However, the All-Star Mile will have to sacrifice one of its quirks in order to obtain Group 1 status.  
 
Previously, ten of the 14 horses who ran in the All-Star Mile were voted on by racing fans. This will no longer be the case, starting in 2026.  

Prize money ramifications 

Another major change coming to the All-Star Mile in 2026 is the amount of prize money up for grabs.  
 
With as much as $4 million up for grabs in recent years, the All-Star Mile has been one of Australia’s richest races. However, its budget is being cut in 2025 and 2026.  
 
The 2025 edition at Caulfield will have a $2.5m prize. In 2026, at Flemington, it will be just $1m.  
 
This should not discourage horse racing betting fans though. The All-Star Mile is still expected to attract some of Australia’s top racers. You should also take some solace in the fact that the decreased prize money is going to a good place.  
 
According to Racing Victoria, the decrease in prize money is so that more money can be directed to grassroots racing in Melbourne and throughout Victoria.