Victoria is recognised as the home of racing in Australia, with international races such as the Melbourne Cup. Racing Victoria Limited is the governing body of racing in this state. The Victoria Racing Club is the major racing club and races at Flemington, while the Melbourne Racing Club races at Caulfield and Sandown, and the Moonee Valley Racing Club which is home to Mooney Valley where they hold the Weight for Age championship of Australasia, the Cox Plate. Victoria is home to the Melbourne Cup Spring racing carnival.

The NSW Thoroughbred Racing Board governs racing in New South Wales and the principal clubs are the Australian Jockey Club, which races at Royal Randwick and Warwick Farm, and the Sydney Turf Club, which races at Rosehill Gardens and Canterbury Park. NSW is home to the Golden Slipper and AJC Derby in the Autumn.

Queensland racing is governed by the Queensland Thoroughbred Racing Board, and the major clubs are the Queensland Turf Club, which races at Eagle Farm, and the Brisbane Turf Club, which races at Doomben.

Thoroughbred Racing S.A. Limited governs racing in South Australia and the principal club is the South Australian Jockey Club, which races at Morphettville, Cheltenham and Victoria Park.

Racing and Wagering WA governs racing in Western Australia and it is a government-owned body. Western Australian Turf Club (now known as Perth Racing) is the principal club and holds racing at Belmont Park and Ascot Racecourse.