Significant race distance changes have recently been approved by the Club Menangle board.
With the Miracle Mile concept based on speed, the changes ahead of the 2026 Carnival of Miracles will see the flying mile play an even bigger role this season than ever before.
Leading the changes will be the prestigious NSW Derby on Saturday, March 14, which will see its distance reduced from 2400 metres to the iconic Miracle Mile distance of 1609 metres.
Club Menangle believe the shift will facilitate the opportunity to attract a new generation of racing fans, as well as showcase the thrill of Mile racing in feature events at Menangle.
The NSW Derby heats will also be contested over the Flying Mile on Saturday, March 7, alongside the Chariots of Fire and Miracle Mile qualifiers.
“Today’s breed is bred for speed and race times play an important role in the future value of our stallions and mares,’’ says David Wonson, general manager of racing at Club Menangle.
“Menangle was built specifically to enhance speed.
“Some of the iconic races here at Club Menangle have been conducted over the Flying Mile, including the first sub 1.50 race time in the southern hemisphere by Smoken Up in 1.48.5, the 1.46.9 by My Field Marshall in the 2018 Miracle Mile, and more recently the Len Smith Mile in 2025 won in a blistering 1.47.5 by Cya Art, with six metres separating the first seven horses across the line,” says Wonson.
“To complement the move to the Mile for the NSW Derby, all races on Miracle Mile night will be conducted over the mile.
“The race distance changes will include the Lighthorse Free For All and the minor Free For All, both moving from 2300 metres to 1609 metres conducted on Miracle Mile Night.
“The NSW Oaks, to be conducted later in the season on Saturday, May 2, will also be conducted over the Flying Mile, with heats the week before on Saturday, April 25,” he said.