Grafton Cup photo reveal: As it was, as it is

Take a walk down memory lane in pictures of the Grafton Cup Carnival as we celebrate the rich fabric of this one-of-a-kind event.

Nothing unites a community more than a shared calamity like a flood - and on the sunnier side, Grafton’s annual racing Cup Carnival.

The ‘G-Cup’ is a chance for locals to put on their finest and enjoy catching up with new and old friends.

The Grafton Cup also sees many who have moved away return to the city to renew acquaintances.

Maureen Austen, Trysette Loosemore, Julie Debono, Megan Kovac and Geoff Watkins get into the spirit of South Grafton Cup Day. Photo Adam Hourigan / The Daily Examiner

It’s a party where the fun is guaranteed and unlike a federal election, it’s a time where we are all on the same page (if not so in the electorate of the same name).

With this year’s carnival on the near horizon, we thought you would enjoy a stroll through yesteryear in pictures from the 2014 event - eight years’ back.

Finalists in the lady of the carnival fashion stakes on South Grafton Cup day line up after the judging. Photo Adam Hourigan / The Daily Examiner

The Cup, hosted by the Clarence River Jockey Club and Grafton Racecourse, is renowned as the ‘Randwick of the north’.

The race club has a storied past, being founded in the same year that the Melbourne Cup was first run.

Josh and Nick Smidt with Travis Hancock and Jeremy Cooper at the Grafton Cup. Photo Leigh Jensen / The Daily Examiner

Clarence River Jockey Club has grown to become one of Australia’s top tier country race clubs, and its signature annual carnival is one of the most feted outside of the metropolitan areas.

Covid stopped many things over the past few years but somehow horse racing found a way to keep galloping.

Jody Katon, Leanne Lolic and Dennie Woodward get dressed up for South Grafton Cup Day. Photo Adam Hourigan / The Daily Examiner

And so it was with the Grafton Cup, where Purrfect Deal took the honours in 2021 from Laure Me in and Parry Sound.

For the history buffs, the first Cup run in 1910 was won by Gosine.

Chris Crawford, Paul Larnach and Jarrod Cozzy at the Grafton Cup. Photo Leigh Jensen / The Daily Examiner

It took the Second World War to pause the great race from 1942 to ’45, while in 1919 the feature event was run in September instead of its usual July timeslot.

Hosier - the horse, not the singer Hozier - saluted three times, in 1922, ’23 and ’24.

Hayley Binge and Teaghan Flick at the Grafton Cup. Photo Leigh Jensen / The Daily Examiner

A number of steeds have taken line honours twice, including Longwy (1919-20), Home James (1963-64), Jardel (1973-74) and Oppressor (1994-95).

This year’s Cup is set down for Thursday, July 14. The carnival includes the Westlawn Grafton Cup Prelude Day (July 3), the South Grafton Cup Day (July 10), the Ramornie Handicap Day (July 13) and the Maclean Cup Day (July 17).

Winners of best dressed couple on Grafton Cup day, Jessica Filewood and Matt Godfrey. Photo Adam Hourigan / The Daily Examiner

The high stakes reflect the standing of the event - $200,000 is in play for the Grafton Cup, as it is for the Ramornie Handicap.

The jockey club has a motza of options this year for you to make the carnival extra special - with everything from the Parade Yard Pavilion for singles, couples and small groups.

Looking sharp in their suits on South Grafton Cup Day were Matt Davidson, Chris Owen, Scott Lloyd and Angus McKimm. Photo Adam Hourigan / The Daily Examiner

Or you can go the Full Monty with a private tennis-style box or a premier seating box for groups of up to eight.

For now, it’s time to start planning your threads and fascinators for the big days out - and enjoy these pictures from 2014 (when Tony Abbott was prime minister, while we lost an old one in Gough Whitlam and Adam Goodes was Australian of the Year).