Country racing Victoria 2023: Photo galleries from race days across the state
Punters from across Victoria flocked to country racing all year to revel in the trackside fun, fashion and fillies. See hundreds of photos from cups across the state in 2023.
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Country racing has been a popular Australian event for as long as we’ve known.
Victoria, the home to the Melbourne Cup and the race that stops the nation, doesn’t have all the fun stopping there.
The state’s country towns have also provided racegoers with the adventures and memories people can cherish for a lifetime.
Regional towns across the state have had their very own special cup days, with each track providing guests with their own unique atmosphere and thriving environment.
The Herald Sun has been a part of the majority of the country cups, snapping dozens of photos across each event.
Now we look back at all the iconic moments that have been captured from Victoria’s country racing cups in 2023. Check out all the photos and reminisce the best racing memories with your family and friends.
Sungold Milk Camperdown Cup
The Sungold Milk Camperdown Cup in Victoria’s southwest was one of the first country racing cups on the 2023 calendar, taking place at the end of January.
Fashionable crowds flocked to the town’s racecourse, with punters and racegoers enjoying engaging entertainment, cold beverages, food vans and a social time.
The Camperdown Cup attracted large groups keen to enjoy the summer racing period.
Inverleigh local Bella Hovey, said at the time she “sunk a few tins and the race has been pretty good”.
“It’s changed a lot and it’s good that we can all get out again and socialise and watch the horses run,” the 22-year-old said.
Racegoer and chopper pilot Dale Marquand, 23, enjoyed his time socialising at the busy event.
“It’s been quite nice, there’s good weather and good beer,” Mr Marquand said at the time.
“I’m rooting for Australia,” said Canadian man Hayden Dick.
Colac Gold Cup
The racing fun continued at the Colac Gold Cup in February.
Racegoers geared up to prepare for frantic Friday full od drinking and fashions.
Colac Turf Club chief executive Maree Gannon said a lot of preparation went into the day and getting the course ready.
“We actually had Danny O’Brien have a bit of a gallop this morning and he said the track was perfect, so we’re expecting a perfect track for Friday,” Ms Gannon said ahead of the day.
Ms Gannon added the corporate marquee had about 200 people booked in, and general admission sales were a good turnout.
“Cold drinks, good people, good times, suns out — I can’t complain,” SCT syndications chief officer Tash Blakley said at the time.
Sungold Milk Terang Cup
Race-goers sprung into the racing spirit and enjoyed another day out with their family and friends, listened to live entertainment and tasted some delicious food at the Sungold Milk Terang Cup in April.
The fashions on the field competition also returned, with racegoer Beck Maddocks winning best dressed lady and former jockey and horse trainer Brenton Primmer winning best dressed gentleman.
Mr Primmer said at the time the cup was a successful day and he was proud to watch how well all the horses performed.
“Good turnout, good people, good atmosphere — not a bad day at all,” said southwest local Phil Jennings.
Warrnambool May Racing Carnival
One of Australia’s biggest country racing events, the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival, is the only race meeting that spans across three energetic days.
Punters from across Australia flocked to the fields eager to watch flat racing, jumps racing and the internationally acclaimed Grand Annual Steeplechase, first held in 1872.
More than 30,000 racegoers attended the famous event from Tuesday May 2 to Thursday May 4.
Accommodation in Warrnambool was already almost booked out months in the lead up to the event — where some motels with vacancy charged more than $1000 for the three-night stay.
“We’re excited to have a big carnival — it’s well-known and well-loved. Three days is a lot of fun, you don’t really get that anywhere else in racing,” Mr Aggett said earlier in the year.
“The asset of the course itself is invaluable and I think these are all reasons why racegoers are checking out on the Friday morning probably a little weary, they are booking in their hotel room for next year.”
Swan Hill Cup
It was winter time but the Swan Hill Cup provided the goods for all the racing enthusiasts who wanted to gather for some fresh beverages while watching the horses trot across the track.
After two long years of lockdowns and another of floods, the Swan Hill Cup was booked out ahead of a significant country racing event over the King’s Birthday long weekend.
Manager of the Big Four riverside campground in Swan Hill Dan O’Bryan said at the time it was expected to be one of the best weekends they would have in a while.
“We are completely booked out for cabins, although there are a few powered campsites left, but that’s pretty normal for the long weekend. Over Easter we were completely booked out,” he said.
“The racing carnival is the major draw over the June long weekend, but yeah it was a difficult few years there for a while.
“We probably won’t have a weekend this big again until the Christmas / New Year period which does bring in a lot of people.”
“Our local economy has faced great adversity due to Covid and more recently the floods, and it‘s great to see the community rewarded for their resilience,” Swan Hill director of development and planning Heather Green said ahead of the event.
“We are extremely excited to see visitors flocking to the region for a great weekend.”
Gunbower Gold Cup
The small town of Gunbower — 272km north of Melbourne and 42km northwest of Echuca — welcomed the spring racing season with a bang in October.
Due to the 45mm rain the state endured during the week in the lead up to the Gunbower Gold Cup, The Gunbower Racing Club had to make the difficult decision to cancel all jump races and instead held a Phantom race day, where punters still rocked up to the event to drink up and appreciate each other’s fancy fits.
In the fashions on the field competition, Ashlea Mason was crowned as stylish lady of the day and Lucas Clark was the stylish teen of the day.
Bendigo racegoer Jim Burns said at the time the atmosphere was unbelievable despite the cancellation of the horse races.
“Still everyone rocked up and it was good after the past few years not having it,” Mr Burns said.
“Everyone’s here to have a good time so why not — there’s no horses but I think everyone is just enjoying it.”
Ladbrokes Moe Cup
It was time for a county town in Victoria’s east to host their special cup day.
One of Gippsland’s first spring racing cups of the year — the Ladbrokes Moe Cup — is known as a race that stops the Latrobe Valley.
Racegoers got on the punt, sat back with an ice cold beverage and entered into the fashions on the field competition for their chance to win some incredible prizes.
“We’ve got perfect weather, blue skies — it’s a great day,” racegoer Sara Erdely told the Herald Sun at the time.
“It’s a perfect day at the Moe cup — great sunshine, got family and friends, what more could you want,” Natasha Hammond said.
“Great to be here today — lots of food, drinks, sunshine, horses racing — it’s wonderful,” said Jacklyn Stevens.
Moe’s weather hit a staggering 28C that day.
Seymour Cup
Drinks were served up in the Goulburn Valley as racegoers flocked to the Seymour Cup in October.
It was first time in four years the Seymour Racing Club has hosted the cup, with last year’s edition running at Bendigo.
Guests were spotted in their own stylish racewear and although the weather was overcast, it didn’t stop enthusiasts from attending and making the most of their seedy Sunday.
The Seymour Cup was won by Junipal.
Blue Pyrenees Estate Avoca Cup
Racing and fashion enthusiasts alike gathered at the Blue Pyrenees Estate Avoca Cup for a revived country cup day in October.
Avoca — a small town located 70km northwest of Ballarat — had its turn to shine after the racecourse had a three-year break.
Dozens of racegoers flocked to the track to celebrate spring racing and their long overdue catch ups with mates.
Check out the rest of the pictures here.
Ladbrokes Sale Cup
Racegoers flocked across to East Gippsland to enjoy a day full of sunshine and refreshing drinks at the Ladbrokes Sale Cup.
Food trucks, betting and the fashions on the field competition were just a few key things guests enjoyed while looking over the thrilling races.
A notable mention of a creative fashion sense was Jess Odgers, her husband Glenn Odgers and their daughter Eowyn who all dressed in matching outfits with purple being their signature colour.
Weir’s IGA St Arnaud Cup
Punters and fashionistas convened at St Arnaud — located in the state’s northwest between Bendigo and Ballarat — at the beginning of November for a action-filled day on the racecourse.
Guests made their way to Weir’s IGA St Arnaud Cup to indulge themselves in the racing spirit, being just days away from the famous Penfold's Derby Day and the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
Be sure to see the full gallery from the St Arnaud Cup here.
Elders Mount Wycheproof Cup Day
Punters enjoyed the “Derby Day in the country” races located in Wycheproof — 135km northwest of Bendigo and 226km west of Shepparton.
The Elders Mount Wycheproof Cup was unfortunately unable to run as the stewards abandoned the meeting due to the track’s conditions.
Regardless, it was still a stunning day at the track and the club provided racegoers — who flocked from Melbourne, Geelong, Charlton, Boort, Bendigo and many other corners of Victoria — with a successful day.
Wycheproof is known for its beautiful road trip up the Calder Freeway and it’s the first time a cup has been held at the location since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Apiam Bendigo Cup
Racegoers bathed in the balmy Bendigo weather as one of the most significant events in the city’s calendar was held in November.
The Apiam Bendigo Cup welcomed crowds of punters to its track for a day of hope, fortune and tasty alcohol.
Plenty of smiles were captured across the field — check out the rest of the snaps here.
Bet365 Kyneton Cup
The horses jumped out of the gates for the first race after a four-year absence at the Kyneton Racecourse — 86km from Melbourne.
All the glamour and glitz was on show at the bet365 Kyneton Cup, while the serious punters kept an eye on the horse flesh trackside.
The cup was crowned by the horse Harmysian, who was trained by Clayton Douglas.
Bet365 Wodonga Cup
The racing continues, and this time racing enthusiasts flocked to the bet365 Wodonga Cup.
Wodonga is 321km northeast of Melbourne and is Victoria’s fastest growing regional area, forming the Victorian half of the Albury-Wodonga twin cities.
Guests enjoy what was a fantastic event on the edge of the Murray River.
2023’s event was won by the Gary Colvin-trained “Another One” — giving veteran jockey Danny Beasley his second Wodonga Gold Cup — 28 years after his first win.
Bet365 Tatura Cup
Just a 20-minute minutes from Shepparton, the town of Tatura hosted a thrilling racing event at the end of November.
The bet365 Tatura Cup is the premier event at the Tatura and Shepparton Racing Club.
Racegoers were seen in colourful, funky outfits and prepared themselves for a freaky Friday session.
The Tatura Hotel, a Hogan St pub that recently reopened its doors — hosted an after-party for those who wanted to continue celebrating.
Sportsbet Ballarat Cup
Despite rainy weather, punters still got their party on the at the Sportsbet Ballarat Cup at the start of December last year.
Colour, style and fancy outfits were spotted across the venue.
Were you in the snaps? Find out by viewing the full gallery here.
Bet365 Traralgon Cup Day
It was an energetic time on the racecourse at the bet365 Traralgon Cup Day after the event was postponed to a week later due to Gippsland's heavy weather conditions.
Latrobe Valley Racing Club chairperson Frank Bezzina said ahead of time the team knew they would have a great race day.
“Hopefully the locals turn up and watch a really good day,” Mr Bezzina said.
The local choir, a DJ with a rocking dance floor and fashions on the field were just a few of the many activities guests could enjoy.
The cup turned out to be an entertaining seedy Sunday, where the bar was open until 7pm for racegoers to sneak in a few more beverages before heading home and getting ready for the work week.
‘Carols & Barrels’: Christmas races at the Sale Turf Club
The Sale Turf Club got into the Christmas spirit and held their annual “Carols & Barrels” Christmas races event on December 23 last year, where guests were encouraged to dress up in festive gear, such as red and green coloured outfits.
There was no better way than to squeeze in one last country racing day just before Christmas, and it was all worth it as punters made the day theirs’.
Special guest appearances included Melbourne based performing and recording artists “Sam + Sam”, who performed all afternoon to top off what was a successful and sun beating day at the club.
Woolamai Race Day — December 30
It may not have been the official Woolamai Cup Day, but hundreds of people showed up to the Woolamai Racing Club for one last punt of 2023, making it a memorable time for those who attended.
The December 30 Woolamai races allowed crowds to bring their own food spreads and drinks, where they laid out their picnic set ups and hit it off with their mates.
Stay tuned and purchase your ticket here to the Alex Scott & Staff Woolamai Cup that will take place on February 3.
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