Sport
3 June, 2026
Cup coming to Charlton town
WHAT do Kyoto in Japan, New York, Deauville in France, Charlton and Wycheproof have in common? They’re all destinations on the worldwide journey of the Melbourne Cup this year.
WHAT do Kyoto in Japan, New York, Deauville in France, Charlton and Wycheproof have in common?
They’re all destinations on the worldwide journey of the Melbourne Cup this year.
The Cup, with its attendant white-gloved guardian, will be in both North Central towns on Monday, September 7, after spending the previous day in Birchip.
Charlton’s historic Cricket Club Hotel will host the Cup on its visit. Publican Leanne Gretgrix said it was an exciting event for the town, with a champagne lunch and a host of kids’ activities already in the planning stage.
The day will also be a fundraiser for Fighting A-T with Grace, raising vital funds for research into Ataxia-Telangietasia, a rare disease affecting young children.
Grace, who lives in NSW, but who will be in Charlton with her family on the day that the Cup visits, is the granddaughter of longtime town butcher Frank Bourke.
A-T is a rare inherited disorder that affects balance and coordination and the immune system and also increases cancer risk.
Grace was diagnosed a month before her third birthday.
Leanne prepared the application to host the Melbourne Cup on behalf of Charlton and found out last week that she had been successful.
More than 200 cities and towns sought a visit from the Cup this year, with just 37 places winning a place on the tour.
Charlton’s Cup-themed champagne lunch will be followed by activities on the oval next door for local schoolchildren.
Leanne is also hopeful that the event will attract identities from the racing industry.
Wycheproof’s plans are yet to be announced, but it is understood the town’s hospital will be the focus of the Cup’s visit.
The Melbourne Cup has visited more than 700 places since the tour was introduced in 2003 and covered more than a million kilometres.
This year’s tour begins in Kyoto on June 1 before progressing to New York.
Apart from a quick trip to York in the UK and the horse racing centre of Deauville in France, the Cup will spend the rest of the tour in Australia, mostly in rural and regional areas.
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