Calcutta Auction & Dinner
Back by popular demand, join us on Sunday 2nd November 2025 for a relaxed evening in The Lounge with a two-course set menu and the excitement of our Calcutta Auction in the lead-up to Melbourne Cup.
What’s a Calcutta?
It’s an exciting blend of raffle and auction that adds extra thrill to the Melbourne Cup. Raffle tickets will be sold in the Golf Shop and at the bar for $5 each prior to the Auction. There are 24 horses in the Melbourne Cup, and one raffle ticket will be drawn for each runner. The person whose ticket is drawn will receive 50% of the Auction (selling price) of that horse.
During the Calcutta Auction, each of the 24 horses is then auctioned to the highest bidder, with proceeds from both the raffle and the auction forming the total prize pool. After the race, the pool is distributed as prize money to the “Auction owners” of the winning and placing horses.
The Calcutta Auction
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24 Melbourne Cup runners will be raffled and auctioned.
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Raffle tickets: $5 each (500 available, sales close 5:30pm). Raffle tickets will be available for purchase in the Golf Shop and at the Bar leading up to the event.
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When your ticket is drawn, you “own” that horse for the auction.
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Auction follows, anyone can bid!
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Prize pool: 1st – 60%, 2nd – 25%, 3rd – 15%.
Dining Experience to follow
Enjoy a two-course alternate drop dinner by Head Chef Susie Donald in a relaxed, social atmosphere celebrating Cup Week.
Event Details
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Date: Sunday 2nd November 2025
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Time: From 5:00pm
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Venue: The Lounge, Lonsdale Links Clubhouse
Tickets
$60 per person (includes dinner). Strictly limited to 70 guests — book early!
Please note this event is now fully booked.
Terms & Conditions
- Event Overview
- A Calcutta is part raffle, part auction.
- Each of the 24 horses in the Melbourne Cup will be auctioned to the highest bidder.
- The prize pool is created from all winning bids and raffle proceeds.
- After the race, the pool is distributed as prize money to the owners of the placegetters.
- Auction Format
- Each horse will be drawn at random from the raffle.
- Once drawn, the horse will be auctioned to the highest bidder.
- Syndicates (groups pooling money) are encouraged.
- Payment must be made immediately after the auction (cash or EFTPOS).
- General Rules
- All bids are final – no retractions once the auctioneer calls “Sold!”.
- If a winning bidder cannot pay, the horse will be re-auctioned.
- Horses must be paid for in full before the race.
- In the event of a dead heat, prize money for that place will be shared equally.
- If a horse is scratched after being purchased, no refund will be given.
- The official race result (as declared by Racing Victoria stewards) is final.
- Record Keeping
- All purchases will be recorded by the committee.
- Syndicates should nominate a representative at time of purchase.
- Prize money will be paid to that representative, who is responsible for distributing shares.
- Responsible Participation
- Please enjoy the event in good spirit.
- This Calcutta is conducted under community/social event guidelines.
- Participants must be 18 years or older.
- Raffle Tickets
- Raffle tickets will be sold for $5 each prior to the auction.
- There are 24 horses in the Melbourne Cup; one raffle ticket will be drawn for each runner.
- The person whose ticket is drawn will “own” that horse for the purposes of the auction.
- There are a total of 500 available raffle tickets.
- Auction & Raffle Rewards
- After the raffle draw, an auction will occur. All attendees may bid on any horse, not just the one they drew.
- When a horse is auctioned:
- 50% of the final sale price is paid to the raffle ticket holder who drew that horse.
- The remaining 50% goes into the prize pool.
- If a horse receives no bids in the auction, the raffle ticket holder keeps ownership of the horse for prize distribution.
- Payout Structure
- The final prize pool will be distributed after the Melbourne Cup result as follows:
- 1st Place: 60%
- 2nd Place: 25%
- 3rd Place: 15%
Lonsdale Golf Club Inc. Calcutta Permit #36
