The Toorak Handicap is one of the most enduring events in Australian racing, starting back in 1881 and still run to this day. Held on Caulfield Guineas Day along with the Caulfield Guineas and Caulfield Stakes, this great event is one of the three Group 1 races that kickstart the Caulfield Spring Racing Carnival.
A 1600 metre race today, the Toorak Handicap started its life in 1881 over a distance of 8 furlongs, roughly the same distance. It was held over this distance between the years of 1881 to 1890, growing to a 9 furlong event in 1891. The new distance obviously wasn’t popular, however, with the Toorak Handicap reverting back to 8 furlongs the next year and staying that way until 1971. In 1972 with the advent of the metric system, this event started to be raced over its present day distance of 1600 metres.
The Toorak Handicap started its life as a Principal Race, a classification it held between 1881 and 1978. It graduated directly to a Group 1 race in 1979 and has stayed that way ever since. Like many Australian races, the Toorak Handicap has been through some name changes over its long history, starting out as the Toorak Handicap and reverting back to the same name in 1990.
Between the years 1881 to 1980 the race was known as the Toorak Handicap. Between the years 1981 to 1984 it was called The IXL. Between the years of 1985 to 1989 it was known as The Elders Mile, before reverting back to its original name in 1990. This great event has been won by some of the nations greatest horses, including Nicopolis in 1963 and 1964, Umrum in 1999 and 2000, Divine Madonna in 2007, and More Joyous in 2010.