The countdown to the 136th Birdsville Races is well and truly on, with Australia’s most iconic outback bucket-list experience set to kick off this Friday, August 31.
Event organisers are preparing for an influx of thousands to the tiny town on the edge of the Simpson Desert, which house a usual population of 115 people.
The town usually swells to host around -7,000 visitors over the bumper race weekend, which this year runs on August 31 & September 1, 2018.
The historic event – billed by many as the ‘Melbourne Cup of the Outback’ – comprises a 13-race program and a jam-packed schedule of outback entertainment and activities – from film and comedy nights, to live music, Fashion on the Fields, cocktail parties, gourmet trackside dining and Fred Brophy’s famous travelling boxing troupe.
The 1600m UBET Birdsville Cup, is the pinnacle event on the race program, attracting a stellar field of trainers, jockeys and thoroughbreds from across the nation.
UBET’s newly announced sponsorship of this year’s Birdsville Cup sees prize-money for the race increase to $40,000, making it the largest prize-purse in the event’s iconic history – and the richest race-meet in Western Queensland.
In another first, 2018 will see punters across Australia able to watch all of the action from the Birdsville Races live from the comfort of their lounge room, thanks to a national telecast deal with Sky Racing 2.
The new deal will see the Birdsville Races’ entire 13-race card telecast into homes across Australia, with half of the wagering proceeds set to be donated to the Drought Appeal to help Queensland farmers doing it tough.
The 2018 Birdsville Races will also once again support the Royal Flying Doctor Service, hosting a 6.1 kilometre fun run on Wednesday, August 29, to help fundraise for the vital service in their remote region.
The line-up announcement for the 2018 Birdsville Races, including the horses, trainers and jockeys in contention, will be made in the coming days.
Tickets to the Birdsville Races are still on sale through www.birdsvilleraces.com.
Single-day race tickets can also be purchased at the entry gates on August 31 & September 1.
What: Birdsville Races
Where: Birdsville, Queensland
When: Friday 31st August & Saturday 1st September 2018
How much: Starting from $69.90
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