Mackay Beach Horse Races: We’re definitely not the Melbourne Cup

The revival of an iconic beach race event in Queensland has jockeys, punters and festival goers champing at the bit but no one is taking themselves too seriously.

‘We’re definitely not the Melbourne Cup, and we think that’s great’.

It promises to be one of the biggest events on Mackay’s social calendar when the Beach Horse Races thunders down the coastline in June and event director James Dein wants to have a bit of fun in the six weeks to showdown.

In a bid to harness the Mackay community spirit and continue the ‘fun loving, don’t-take-yourself-too-seriously attitude of the event, he will today unveil the official event mascot.

Mackay Beach Horse Races director James Dein and Mackay Tourism CEO Tas Webber at the front of The Dispensary promoting the Mackay Beach Horse Races, April 28, 2022. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Mackay Beach Diva, an accessorised horse, will make surprise appearances across the city between now and race day on June 11.

“Mackay is an amazing city filled with amazing places and amazingly down-to-earth people that have never taken themselves too seriously,” Mr Dein said.

“We wanted to capture that ethos and embed it within the Mackay Beach Horse Races in 2022.

Mackay Beach Horse Races is set to return to Mackay Harbour Beach from June 10-12, 2022. Picture: Contributed

“The races are all about getting the community together, enjoying the sun, the surf and the spirit of the event.”

Mr Dein’s company Sound Australia — at the helm of the Savannah in the Round festival and Winton’s Way Out West — will relaunch the Mackay races, expected to draw about 3000 attendees to the region for its initial return in a post-Covid world.

Event director James Dein.

The late Mick Pope founded the event back in 2012, which received a council injection of $50,000 in both 2016 and 2017 under the Invest Mackay Events and Conference Attraction Program.

The races have been on hiatus since 2018 after Purple Betty Productions, which ran the 2017 races, said fence-jumpers “killed” her small family-owned business.

Taking place on a long stretch of golden sand against a glistening Pacific Ocean backdrop, retired thoroughbreds, stock horses, quarter horses and mixed breeds are set to battle it out for the coveted title.

Mackay Beach Horse Races is set to return to Mackay Harbour Beach from June 10-12, 2022. Picture: Contributed

But Mr Dein — who has four decades of experience in the industry including working on more than 120 events — says there will also be a host of new sights, sounds, tastes and experiences guaranteed to entertain and enamour during the three-day event from Friday June 10 to Sunday June 12.

The Dispensary will manage the VIP Deck and serve up Mackay’s largest wine and whisky collection, boutique beers, cocktails and food offerings.

Mackay Beach Horse Races is set to return to Mackay Harbour Beach from June 10-12, 2022. Picture: Contributed

The races will include a series of live music events with local DJs performing alongside major names from the Aussie dance scene in the new Beach Club venue.

Sets will include SGT Slick, Mell Hall and Jolyon Petch.

Mackay Beach Horse Races director James Dein and Mackay Tourism CEO Tas Webber at the front of The Dispensary promoting the Mackay Beach Horse Races, April 28, 2022. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Six-piece Little Steely Brothers will pump out the classic hits from Steely Dan, Doobie Bros and the Eagles and a host of others with their show, Sounds of the West Coast.

With just weeks to go until they’re off and racing, event organisers are officially on the hunt for horses and riders who think they’ve got what it takes to seize Mackay Beach Horse Races glory.

Mackay Beach Horse Races is set to return to Mackay Harbour Beach from June 10-12, 2022. Picture: Contributed

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said the beach bash was a truly special event, sure to boost the region’s tourism profile.

“We’ve all been patiently waiting for its return. The Mackay Beach Horse Races 2022 has something for everyone,” he said.

Horse and rider nominations are now open via the event website www.mackaybeachhorseraces.com.au which is where volunteers, vendors and sponsors can also jump aboard the iconic event.

Ticketing packages designed to suit all budgets, appetites and vibes are soon to be announced, with offerings ranging from premium dining and viewing experiences within the Mackay Surf Club and Topdeck venues, to down-in-the-sand, Euro-style Beach Club celebrations.

General admission options are also available.

Originally published as Mackay Beach Horse Races: We’re definitely not the Melbourne Cup