Thank you to everyone who attended for an action packed day full of horses, friends and lots of smiles.
Thank you to the amazing judges who volunteered your time this, and your feedback on how lovely the riders were.
To all the members that volunteered over the weekend, cooking , setting up, canteen, judging, big THANK YOU!
Pictured is Peter Buckman CEO, Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW)
Dear Stakeholders,
I am pleased to announce a significant development that reflects our ongoing commitment to equine welfare and the preservation of our social license at Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW).
In close collaboration with the Harness Racing Industry Consultation Group (HRICG), we have successfully completed the integration of our re homing operations. The decision and subsequent integration enables HRNSW to directly oversee the re homing effort and ensure that we consistently uphold the highest standards of equine welfare. This strategic shift underscores HRNSW’s steadfast dedication to the wellbeing of our equine athletes and our responsibility to the industry and the broader community. We firmly believe that by taking direct control of the re homing process, we can provide our retired standardbred horses with the care and attention that is expected.
It is of the utmost importance that HRNSW maintain high standards in equine welfare while continuing to lead the industry in a responsible and forward-thinking manner. HRNSW remains committed to ensuring the welfare of all standardbred horses and we are confident that this strategic move will further strengthen our capacity to uphold these vital responsibilities and ensure the well-being of our equine partners.
Finally, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the previous Re homing Company members for their unwavering commitment in supporting the re homing of standardbred horses.
Should you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to reach out to our team.
Sincerely,
The West Wyalong Pony Club invite all riders to attend the Phillip Judd Memorial Showjumping Day and the Zone 11 Combined Training Day. For more information please check go to https://pca.justgo.com/workbench/public/events.
Who will win the coveted Coradgery Cup in 2023? Pictured is last years winner Neon Moon with jockey Tony Cavallo. Inset: Local band Foxxy Cleopatra will once again be entertaining the crowds this Saturday.
It is once again that time of year, and all the elements are coming together for the premier event of the Parkes social calendar. The Parkes Coradgery and Diggers Picnic Races will be held this Saturday 10th June. So, dust off your fascinators and race gear and be sure to get involved in this great local event.
Fashions on the Field is one of the highlights of the day offering an array of prizes and prestige to the glamourous colts and fillies. The Fashions on the Field categories this year will once again include: Elegant Lady, Stylish Man, Millinery and Best Dressed couple.
The spectator area is looking great and the track is in top notch condition for the day’s five-race program. The renovated grandstand and covered bookies rink complete the excellent facilities for punters and a relaxed environment offers something for everyone, making this venue one of the best in the Central West.
The June long weekend has long since become a ‘back to Parkes’ weekend, with many residents opening their homes to friends and relatives who return to Parkes to celebrate for the weekend.
The event attracts visitors from all over the state, as well as from interstate.
There will be food on offer from the Quota ladies, who are back in the saddle driving the canteen in the newly renovated grandstand space. There will also be full bar facilities on course.
Several commercial and private marquees will be providing food and alcohol, so gather your friends and join a group for an afternoon of fun and entertainment.
Much loved local band, Foxxy Cleopatra, has been invited to perform on the day to provide entertainment for all to enjoy.
Organise a group and head along for a great day out. Gates open at 11.30am and entry is $20 for adults, under 16 years are free. Get your tickets before the event from 123tix or at the gate on the day.
The popular Fashions on the Field always attracts entries from far and wide. The winners from 2022 were (L-R) Baeden Wakefield (Stylish Man), Ashleigh Smith (Elegant Lady), Deb Parish (Millinery), Carmen and Ian Hatherly (Best Dressed Couple).
It is once again that time of year, and all the elements are coming together for the premier event of the Parkes social calendar. The Parkes Coradgery and Diggers Picnic Races will be held on Saturday 10th June. So, dust off your fascinators and race gear and be sure to get involved in this great local event.
Fashions on the Field is one of the highlights of the day offering an array of prizes and prestige to the glamourous colts and fillies. The Fashions on the Field categories this year will once again include: Elegant Lady, Stylish Man, Millinery and Best Dressed couple.
The spectator area is looking great and the track is in top notch condition for the day’s five-race program. The renovated grandstand and covered bookies rink complete the excellent facilities for punters and a relaxed environment offers something for everyone, making this venue one of the best in the Central West.
The June long weekend has long since become a ‘back to Parkes’ weekend, with many residents opening their homes to friends and relatives who return to Parkes to celebrate for the weekend.
The event attracts visitors from all over the state, as well as from interstate.
There will be food on offer from the Quota ladies, who are back in the saddle driving the canteen in the newly renovated grandstand space. There will also be full bar facilities on course.
Several commercial and private marquees will be providing food and alcohol, so gather your friends and join a group for an afternoon of fun and entertainment.
Much loved local band, Foxxy Cleopatra, has been invited to perform on the day to provide entertainment for all to enjoy.
Organise your friends, family or co-workers and head along for a great day out. Gates open at 11.30am and entry is $20 for adults, under 16 years are free. Get your tickets early from123tix.
NSW Nationals Candidate for Orange Tony Mileto, NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway and Parkes Jockey Club Vice President Alex Proud at the announce-ment of $37,000 funding to upgrade the judges towers at the Parkes Racecourse.
Some fantastic, welcomed news for Parkes Jockey Club. NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway today announced over $37,000 has been awarded to the Parkes Jockey Club to upgrade and maintain the Judges Towers at the Parkes Racecourse.
Mr Farraway said the funding, which was secured under the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund, would not only ensure the towers are up to safety standards but will also improve the race day experience for the community.
“The $37,460 awarded in this grant will ensure that the Parkes Jockey Club has the means to upgrade their facilities so that they are safe and modern.
“This funding will be a welcome boost for the club as they move forward after being impacted by the floods in November.”
Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said it was important that the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government continue to provide funding to support upgrades to show grounds and facilities in local towns.
“Crown reserves provide land for sport and recreation, homes for community organisations, open space for healthy lifestyles, and protect our environment including sensitive habitat for native plants and animals,” Mr Anderson said.
Legendary race caller Greg Miles with Forbes jockey Cat Newcombe and local race caller Col Hodge with the 2022 Melbourne Cup in Forbes on Monday. Work on the cup starts well in advance and the finished trophy is delivered one year and one week out of the race.
There was a special sparkle in the Forbes Town Hall on Monday when plenty of residents got to hold 18 carats of gold in their hands.
“There is no other single item in Australia made from so much gold,” said Joe McGrath, Melbourne Cup Tour Manager.
The 1.65kg of gold for this year’s cup came from Evolution’s Cowal Mine about 100km from Forbes, which made the photo opportunity with the cup even more special for Forbes locals.
The Melbourne Cup Tour included Forbes as one of its 33 destinations this year, and after the event at the town hall, Jemalong Village residents had the Cup come to them specially.
“The Melbourne Cup represents so much starting in 1861 at the heart of the gold rush era, and going for 162 consecutive years,” said Joe.
Before residents lined up for their moment golden glory, legendary race caller and Melbourne Cup Ambassador Greg Miles shared the stage with local horse racing ‘celebrities’ Cat Newcombe and Col Hodges. Cat, who was a professional jockey for seven years, said it was a real privilege to see the Melbourne Cup in Forbes.
Local race caller Col Hodge said Greg was the best caller and after more than 50 year he was still learning from him.
Greg said his love of racing started in primary school when he used to listen to the races on the radio with his father every Saturday afternoon. That was when he decided to become a race caller, and in 1981 he called the Melbourne Cup at the age of 22. “I was still there 36 years later. It never felt like I was going to work.”
Greg’s enthusiasm for racing rubbed off as the air filled with excitement and bright smiles when students from Forbes Primary School lined up alongside older residents for this once in a lifetime opportunity.
Shane Wode, who is known for doing Forbes Show announcements, has a great interest in the Melbourne Cup and made sure not to miss the opportunity to hold the cup.
If you want your photo with Australia’s most famous trophy, make sure to be at the Forbes Town Hall on 19th September. (Photo: vrc.com.au)
An amazing opportunity awaits all horse racing enthusiasts in Forbes in just over two weeks’ time.
The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour is celebrating its 20th year of touring Australia and the world and it is coming to Forbes on 19th September!
The visit to Forbes is even more special as the gold for this year’s Melbourne Cup comes from Evolution’s Cowal Mine about 100km from Forbes.
Since the tour’s inception in 2003, the three-handled Cup has travelled over 760,000 kilometres, visiting more than 560 destinations, engaging with tens of thousands of people and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local fundraising initiatives.
The Forbes community is invited to attend the event in full Melbourne Cup finery if you wish for an opportunity to not only see and touch the trophy, but also have your photo taken with the Melbourne Cup.
There will also be some local industry celebrities talking about their experiences in their racing lives, including female jockey Cat Newcombe and the famous race caller Col Hodges.
The Making of the Melbourne Cup video will be screened and all attendees will receive a food voucher to purchase a free lunch from local food vans located in Harold Street.
It sure promises to be a bit of fun on a Monday morning. All you need to do is let the organisers know that you will be there for catering purposes. RSVP to Jolene Jones at Jolene.Jones@forbes.nsw.gov.au by Monday, 13th September.
This is an opportunity to wear your fascinator twice this year!
Forbes Shire Councillor Chris Roylance (right) presented the ‘Amazing’ Ben Hall Bullet to jockey Billy Owen on Free State after his thrilling run in the 1200m sprint!
(Photo: Forbes Jockey Club)
For most of us it was a day to stay indoors, but racegoers at the Forbes Cup braved the cold and wet on Sunday to enjoy a fantastic day out.
It was also a day of iconic and historic wins with the Forbes Jockey Club resurrecting the Ben Hall Bullet sprint race over 1200m after 40 years.
The first winner of the iconic Ben Hall Bullet trophy after all these years was Free State, trained by Brad Widdup with Billy Owen in the saddle!
The sought after Bankstown Sports Club Forbes Cup went to One Aye after a thrilling race over 1600m. At about 150m to go it was still anyone’s race, but then One Aye came through as the one and only champion. Coming in second was Toulon Brook. Both One Aye (#11) and Toulon Brook (#12) have qualified to contest the hot new $2M Big Dance at Royal Randwick in November. The third place went to #7 Intuition and fourth to #9 Reward Seeker.
The day also featured Fashions on the Field.
Four Forbes Pony Club riders and one from Trundle travelled to Warialda last weekend for the Pony Club NSW State Showjumping Championships where they achieved some good results.
Riders Freya Hooper, Tess Worland, Jemma Hodder and Jake Tomlinson joined Jorja Rusten from the Trundle Pony Club to make up the Zone 11 Pony Club Team.
Under the care of Team Manager Nicky Rusten, who did a great job keeping the team in order, they competed against riders from all over NSW and even a Queensland contingent.
All four Forbes riders entered the championships for the first time. Instructor Laurie Norris said it was a great experience for the team.
“Competing at State is a wonderful experience for our members,” said Laurie. “Each of the riders had success and learnt a few lessons as well. This will only help their riding into their next competition.”
Forbes Pony Club president Gary Tomlinson celebrated the success of the club’s riders. “I am so pleased to report that Tess Worland ran 3rd in under 15 B Grade, Freya Hooper 3rd in Under 17 C Grade, Jake Tomlinson 4th in under 15 A Grade and Jemma Hodder – in a very large class of riders- 12th in under 15 C Grade.”
Jorja competed in the 15 – u17 age group jumping A grade. After four rounds she collected a 5th, 6th and two 8th positions to place her 7th in the state.
“We are so very proud of their efforts and their sportsmanship in cheering on each other and the success of other riders. All of the horses stood up well to the competition too, jumping up to seven rounds over the course of the weekend.”
Forbes Pony Club is always on the lookout for new members, and those interested should contact the club secretary on forbesponyclub@gmail.com
By Nina Hooper