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The Big Dance: Date, how to watch, past winners, latest odds & more

3 minute read

The Big Dance is a thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and upwards that takes place at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, in November.

Picture: bet365

It is a new addition to the Australian horse racing calendar and will be raced for just the third time in 2024.

It is not a Group 1 race at this stage, however.

It will be raced on the same day as the Melbourne Cup and $3million in prize money will be up for grabs.

Here is our guide to The Big Dance.

The Big Dance date

The Big Dance will be raced on the same day as the Melbourne Cup and in 2024 that will be on Tuesday 5th November.

It is not the first time that Racing NSW has gone up against Victoria, after The Everest and the Golden Eagle were scheduled on the same day as the Caulfield Cup and Derby day.

The first Tuesday in November is 'sacred' to racing in Melbourne, but that has not stopped Racing NSW going up against the race that stops a nation.

However, Racing NSW say The Big Dance is not aiming to take the 'gloss' off the Melbourne Cup, and will 'complement' the race.

The Big Dance time

The exact start time for the The Big Dance has yet to be confirmed.

However it usually begins 30 minutes after the Melbourne Cup and in 2023 it was Race 5 on a bumper card at Randwick.

The Big Dance venue

The Big Dance will be raced over a distance of 1600m at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, New South Wales.

The Big Dance how to watch

The Big Dance will be shown free-to-air by Channel 7 and also via the 7plus app.

The Big Dance prize money

The total prize fund for the Big Dance was $2million in 2022, but this was raised to $3million from 2023.

The winner will take home $1,560,000, second place $600,000 and third place $300,000. Eleventh and 12th places win $45,000 each.

The Big Dance history

The Big Dance is a new event and will be raced for just the third time in 2024.

On 9th February 2022, it was announced that The Big Dance would take place for the first time later that year.

The Big Dance past winners

Attractable was the winner of the 2023 The Big Dance for trainer Sara Ryan and jockey Regan Bayliss.

Rustic Steel was the winner of the very first running of The Big Dance in 2022 for trainer Kris Lees and jockey Nash Rawiller.

Rustic Steel fought off a late charge from Cisco Bay, who finished second, while Sibaaq came in third.

The Big Dance odds

Detonator Jack and Gringotts are both priced at 5.50 to win the 2024 edition of The Big Dance.

Tavi Time is available at 11.00 and Fawkner Park 13.00.