The Bedgerabong Picnic Races are fast approaching and this year they are celebrating a significant milestone.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This year marks the 100th year that the Bedgerabong Picnic Race Club has been in operation hosting race meetings at Bedgerabong.
With such a significant milestone approaching, Elliot Nolan has been researching the history of the country race club, and found media coverage of the meeting on March 19, 1919 at “Wilga Park”. This race meeting raised approximately 30 pounds which was donated to the Red Cross.
Due to the success of the races, a meeting was held in April to form an amateur race club.
The first official race was held on Boxing Day, 1919.
The club proved to be a huge success in its early days and it was soon decided to hold the event twice a year: during the autumn and again on Boxing Day.
READ ALSO: Nationals success for Forbes riders
The club have since changed the number of events, to host one race meeting each year. This year’s Bedgerabong Picnic Races charging out of the gates on Saturday, February 16.
The annual event draws thousands of people to the community each year and committee members are hoping to see more than 1000 racing enthusiasts to come out and enjoy the day.
This year’s picnics will again be a six-race meeting, with the feature race the Bedgerabong Cup.
The titular Bedgerabong Cup marks the names of the winning horses and owners all the way back to 1938.
While the stakes are high on the track, especially for the feature race, the Fashions on the Field will also be highly contested
Fashions on the Field categories are:
- Bedgerabong's Queen (Women 18 and over)
- Bedgerabong's King (Men 18 and over)
- Bedgerabong's Best Headwear (Open)
- Bedgerabong's Princess (Girls 9-17)
- Bedgerabong's Prince (Boys 9-17)
- Bedgerabong's Best Dressed Junior (Boys and Girls under 8)
In a change from previous years, the committee has added a second bar for marquee guests.
Committee President Nathan said they are trying to encourage a picnic atmosphere, to encourage more people to come down with friends and family.
READ ALSO: Newell Highway study begins
There will be live entertainment, with Victorian band The Mason Boys set to take the event into the evening.
While the Bedgerabong Picnic Races and Fashions on the Field have a long history, Mr Clarke said they operate heavily on sponsorship to keep the event going.
Mr Clarke said the Committee would like to thank Western Tree Care and Wallace Bulk Haulage for supporting the 2019 Bedgerabong Picnic Races.
There will be buses to and from Forbes all afternoon. All facilities on field.