Victoria Racing Club announces Howden Victoria Derby Day
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11 September 2025 – The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is proud to announce Howden has strengthened its partnership with the world’s largest racing club to include naming rights to what will now be known as Howden Victoria Derby Day.
Courtesy of a new three-year deal, Howden will be elevated to Major Partner status and become just the fourth exclusive naming rights partner in the history of Australia’s most prestigious race day.
Howden Victoria Derby Day will continue to deliver world-class racing, fashion, food and entertainment as the traditional black-and-white curtain-raiser to Cup Week, headlined on the track by the the $2 million Group 1 Howden Victoria Derby (2500m).
After joining forces in 2023 as the Official Insurance Partner and support partner of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour, VRC CEO, Kylie Rogers, said it was great to have Howden on board for this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival which kicks off on November 1.
“Howden has been an important member of the VRC family since 2023, and we’re extremely proud to see a business that so closely shares our values become a Major Partner of the club,” Rogers said.
“Howden has a deep passion for racing, with a long history of offering specialist insurance solutions for associations, racecourses, racehorse trainers, stud farms, riding schools and horse owners, and of course the VRC itself, so this is a sponsorship based on real partnership.
“Howden Victoria Derby Day will be here in just under two months’ time, and all eyes will be on the running of the prestigious 172nd Howden Victoria Derby. We’re really looking forward to another fantastic three years’ working together.”
Howden Pacific CEO, Matt Bacon, said it was great to be entering into a new and exciting phase of the partnership with the VRC.
“We are incredibly proud to elevate our partnership with the VRC to become a Major Partner in 2025,” Bacon said.
“Whilst Howden Victoria Derby Day is all about black and white, we see this partnership as a fantastic opportunity to bring more colour and dynamism to the world of insurance broking - a space often unfairly misdescribed as uninspiring! Unlike much of our competition, we see insurance as a powerful and positive tool to help clients unlock growth opportunities they would otherwise miss.”
“The VRC is a dynamic organisation with big plans and therefore the perfect client and partner for a growth and solutions focussed insurance broker like Howden,” said Matt.
Howden has a long-standing history of supporting racing, as an Official Partner of Ascot and the Bahrain Turf Series. The company also has a broader presence in sport, including its role as Principal Partner and official front of jersey sponsor for the British and Irish Lions during their recent tour of Australia.
The VRC also shares close ties with Ascot, holding an international alliance with the world-famous racecourse.
Howden joins Lexus, G.H Mumm, Kirin Ichiban, STH Travel, Ticketmaster and De Bortoli to sign on with the VRC ahead of the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival.