New era for Oakbank with Arabella Branson the first female chair and a move away from Easter Monday
More than 140 years of tradition has been overridden by a decision to not race on Easter Monday at Oakbank. The carnival will go to new lengths across three days. Do you agree with the changes? VOTE IN OUR POLL.
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Oakbank Racing Club will shed more than 140 years of tradition and not race on Easter Monday as it attempts to rejuvenate an event steeped in SA history.
The club has also appointed its first chairwoman, Arabella Branson, and will run a new-look, three-day picnic carnival over a week-long period in 2020, culminating on Easter Saturday.
Ms Branson said the club was trying to create new traditions after dwindling crowd numbers over the past decade.
The annual Oakbank picnic races, an SA institution since 1876, once regularly attracted crowds of 40,000 on Easter Saturday and 70,000 on Easter Monday.
But it has struggled to attract even a quarter of those numbers in the past few years, despite remaining the most well-attended horse race meeting in the state.
The club switched its marque Great Eastern Steeplechase from the Monday to the Saturday two years ago. The Saturday event has attracted about 20,000 since the revamp, while Monday numbers have dropped to about 5000.
“We’re building on 144 years of history,’’ Ms Branson said yesterday.
“We’re trying to create a new tradition at Oakbank that reflects modern consumer demand, while staying true to the fundamentals that have made the Easter Carnival one of the biggest events on the SA racing and social calendar.”
The carnival will start on April 5 next year, the Sunday before Easter, with the running of the time-honoured Von Doussa Steeplechase. A smaller meeting on Wednesday, April 8, will precede the Great Eastern on Easter Saturday three days later.
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“The biggest challenge is obviously the move from Easter Monday to the Wednesday prior,” Ms Branson said.
“We believe it will allow new traditions to be started across a week of family, community and racing events, culminating in what remains the best attended day of racing in the state.”
Ms Branson said the time was right for change.
“Racing on Easter Monday no longer suits our audiences – industry and the community - or our club,” she said.
“Attracting and growing crowds presents a challenge to all sporting codes.
“Our focus for the next two years is on ensuring the crowds that do come have the best possible time and return year after year.”
Camping will remain a key feature at the event.
“We definitely would like as many families as possible to come and enjoy our racecourse and if they would like to stay as campers pre and post-event, that’s fantastic,” she said.
One of Ms Branson’s priorities is to drive greater public awareness of the facilities at Oakbank.
“Our goal for Oakbank 2020 is for everyone to enjoy what we have to offer – numbers aren’t the only measure of success,” she said.
“The committee has been working tirelessly on several new opportunities to open the iconic Oakbank Racecourse up to the public in more ways, more often.
“It really is an idyllic location and we want more people to enjoy it in new ways all year round in addition to our race days.”
This would be welcomed by publican Clinton Heading, the co-owner of the Oakbank Hotel.
“It’s definitely good having a fresh start for Oakbank because it’s such an iconic event,” he said. “It’s more than a racing event, it brings a lot of tourism through to the Adelaide Hills.”
There are no plans for a move away from jumps racing, with six flat and two jumps races per race day.
“Interstate trainers will be able to be here for the week and be back, with horses rested, for interstate racing the week after,” Ms Branson said.
The Adelaide-based lawyer, who replaces outgoing chairman Barney Gask, said her family had a long association with the club and it was an honour to be chairwoman.
“I’ve served on the committee for the past two years and loved the passion and commitment shown by all involved here. It’s a great team and there’s real opportunity for innovation and growth,’’ Ms Branson said.
Thoroughbred Racing SA chairwoman Frances Nelson said the revamped Oakbank Carnival would open up more opportunities.
“We believe the approach will enhance the existing attraction to interstate participants and broaden the tourism potential, which already delivers significant benefit to the local economy,’’ Ms Nelson said. “The design gives the industry the potential to attract additional trainers to be involved in a week of racing.’’