Townsville Cup 2025 ticket sales soar, 500 tickets for defence force

The Ladies Day and Townsville Cup crowds are on track to break attendance records this year - in addition to 500 free tickets being provided to the army. See why demand has spiked.

2024: Warp Speed gave Toowoomba trainer Mark Goodwood his first win in the $150,000 Townsville Cup. Picture: Shae Beplate

The Ladies Day and Townsville Cup crowds are on track to break attendance records this year, with it estimated to inject more than $25m into the North Queensland economy

Townsville Turf Club chairman Geoff Weeks said ticket sales were going “extremely well”, with most of the marquees sold out, most of the membership areas full, and general admission continuing to sell.

“That’s in addition to us giving the defence force 500 complimentary tickets because they have the Talisman Sabre exercise on,” Mr Weeks said.

“So we’re hoping to get some soldiers from the other countries there on the day.”

According to ticket sale projections, the club is expected to see 7000 people streaming through the gates for the Townsville Cup on August 9.

2024: Warp Speed won last year’s Townsville Cup with Gold Coast jockey Michael Cahill. Picture: Shae Beplate

“If that happens, it will be a new record,” Mr Weeks said.

“We’ve had 5000 and 6000 before but never 7000.”

The chairman put the growth in demand down to the lowering of ticket prices and the absence of a Cowboys NRL game.

“It’s a Cowboy away game that weekend so it’s not clashing with anything,” he said.

“The marquee prices are cheaper than in previous years and we have more entertainment happening across the day, so the crowd has a lot more to do.”

Townsville Turf Club chairman Geoff Weeks.

While marquee prices are lower, the bulk of crowd growth has happened in the general admissions area.

Those keen to dress up, hit the bar, and have fun - what Mr Weeks labelled the lively ‘18-35 crowd’ - are in for a treat with multiple ‘party zones’ set up across the general admission area.

“We have party zones where there are DJs and music for the 18-35s,” he said.

“But there are also quiet areas like the fig tree lawn where families can put a blanket down and enjoy the day.”

Socials at the 2024 Ladbrokes Townsville Cup. Fashions on the Field. Contemporary. Winner Kimberlee Cockrem. Picture: Evan Morgan

It’s estimated the Townsville Winter Racing Carnival injects close to $25m into the local economy, through hotel bookings, taxis, catering, security, farriers, horse transport and more.

“There is also $490,000 in prize money on offer and I hope our Townsville trainers, jockeys and owners take home that prize money,” Mr Weeks said.

“We have an extra incentive this year where the Townsville Cup winning trainer gets $2500 cash and if they are a local $2500 in training fees, and $1500 cash for the winning jockey plus a $500 Ardo voucher.”

Womba Kaumba. Picture: Evan Morgan

Festivities at the Cluden Park track will wind down after 5pm, and buses will begin running between the track and Flinders St, Palmer St and The Ville for dinner.

General admission all-access passes are still available for $53.

A handful of tickets remain available to The Aviary marquee (catering by A Touch of Salt) for $298.

The Townsville Winter Racing Carnival will continue to build with Ladies Day on this Saturday, August 2, and finishes with the Townsville Cup on August 9.

Originally published as Townsville Cup 2025 ticket sales soar, 500 tickets for defence force