Records show that racing first took place at Caulfield, known locally as The Heath, in April 1859, although it is unclear whether this was under the direction of Caulfield Amateur Club or Race Club. What is known is that the Club did suffer financially in its early years and were approached by the Victorian Amateur Turf Club in 1875 to use the Caulfield track. The club was formed on 13th October 1875 with the express purpose of promoting race riding opportunities for local amateur riders. The first such meeting was held in 1876 and by April 1879 the first Caulfield Cup, initially run over 12 furlongs, was run. The famous Cup is now contested over its metric equivalent, 2400 metres, with a list of winners shown below. The course is left handed triangular turf course of 10 furlongs with a 2 furlong home straight.
Caulfield Cup winners since its inception in 1879
1879 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Newminster
1880 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Tom Kirk
1881 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) resulted in a dead heat between Blue Ribbon and Master Avenel
1882 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Little Jack
1883 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Calma
1884 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Blink Bonny
1885 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Grace Darling
In 1885 one of the saddest incidents in Australian racing took place in the Caulfield Cup. There was a massive field of 41 runners and in the early part of the race Sardius and Too Too went for the same gap and collided with each other. A domino effect affected 16 of the runners and jockey Donald Nicholson was killed in the resulting melee. Almost incidentally the winner was Grace Darling.
1886 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Ben Bolt
1887 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Oakleigh
1888 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Chicago
1889 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Boz
1890 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Vengeance
1891 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Gnaroo
1892 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Paris
1893 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Sainfoin
1894 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Paris
1895 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Waterfall
1896 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Cremorne
1897 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Amberite
1898 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Hymettus
1899 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Dewey
1900 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Ingliston
1901 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Hymettus
1902 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Lieutenant Bill
1903 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Sweet Nell
1904 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Murmur
1905 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Marvel Loch
1906 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Poseidon
1907 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Poseidon
1908 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Maranui
1909 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) resulted in a dead heat between Blue Book and Aborigine
1910 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Flavinius
1911 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Lady Medallist
1912 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Uncle Sam
1913 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Aurifer
1914 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Uncle Sam
1915 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Lavendo
1916 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Shepherd King
1917 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Bronzetti
1918 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by King Offa
1919 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Lucknow
1920 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Eurythmic
1921 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Violonicello
1922 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Whittier
1923 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Wynette
1924 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Purser
1925 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Whittier
1926 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Manfred
1927 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Textile
1928 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Maple
1930 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Amounis
1931 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Denis Boy
1932 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Rogilla
1933 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Gaine Carrington
1934 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Journal
1936 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Northwind
1937 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by The Trump
1938 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Buzalong
1939 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Rivette
1940 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Beaulivre
In 1940 racing was suspended at the course, due to World War II hostilities, and the course was used by the military. However, it reopened on 5th August 1944. The first Caulfield Cup was run in 1879 and won by Newminster. The course hosts no less than 11 Group One races and, as well as the Caulfield Cup run in October over 2400 metres, it also hosts the 1000 Guineas in the same month when run over 1600 metres.
1941 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Velocity
1942 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Tranquil Star
1943 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) resulted in a dead heat between aint Warden and Skipton
1944 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Counsel
1945 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by St Fairy
1946 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Royal Gem
1947 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Columnist
1948 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Red Fury
1949 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Lincoln
1950 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Grey Boots
1951 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Basha Felika
1952 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Peshawar
1953 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by My Hero
1954 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Rising Fast
1955 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Rising Fast
1956 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Redcraze
1957 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Tulloch
1958 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Sir Blink
1959 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Regal Wench
1960 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Ilumquh
1961 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Summer Fair
1962 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Even Stevens
1963 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Sometime
1964 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Yangtze
1965 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Bore Head
1966 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Galilee
1967 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Tobin Bronze
1968 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Bunratty Castle
1969 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Big Philou
1970 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Beer Street
1971 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Gay Icarus
1972 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Sobar
1973 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Swell Time
1974 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Leilani
1975 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Analight
1976 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by How Now
1977 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Ming Dynasty
1978 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Taksan
1979 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Mighty Kingdom
1980 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Ming Dynasty
1981 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Silver Bounty
1982 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Gurners Lane
1983 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Hayai
1984 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Affinity
1985 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Tristarc
1986 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Mr Lomondy
1987 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Lord Reims
1988 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Imposera
1989 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Cole Diesel
1990 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Sydeston
1991 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Lets Elope
1992 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Mannerism
1993 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Fraar
1994 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Paris Lane
1995 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Doriemus
1996 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Arctic Scent
1997 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Might and Power
1998 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Taufans Melody
1999 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Sky Heights
2000 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Diatribe
2001 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Ethereal
2002 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Northerly
2003 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Mummify
2004 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Elvstroem
2005 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Railings
2006 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Tawqeet
2007 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Master OReilly
2008 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by All The Good
2009 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Viewed
2010 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Descarado
2011 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Southern Speed
2012 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Dunaden
2013 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Fawkner
2014 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Admire Rakti
2015 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Mongolian Khan
2016 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Jameka
2017 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Boom Time
2018 The Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs (now 2400 metres) was won by Best Solution
