A SPEEDY Merino wether took home won the JBS Booligal Sheep cup, notching a race record.
Over 500 people watched for the duration of the 3.9 second race as the wily wether took the record, which had stood for 16 years.
The wether was entered by the Whiting family, Wagga Wagga, and bred by Booligal's Alma Merino stud.
"We actually gave up a weekend at the beach for the sheep races and after taking home the cup, the kids are already planning the return trip," said Deanne Whiting.
Will and Paddy Ryan, "Curragh", Oxley and Oscar Booth, "Humewood", Hay are pictured. Click on the image for gallery of pics from the day.
Booligal also hosted an unusual dash for cash for the first time.
Tapper Agri Services' Booligal Crawl event got competitors to get down low and have a go over the 15 metre course.
Winners of the crawl were Iona Cullenwald (under 12 girls), Tom McLean (under 12 boys), Lachlan Watkins (13-16 boys), Ellie Hicks (13-16 girls), Janne McCully (open womens) and Matt Maurer (open mens).
The Caldow family, Booligal, took out the hotly contested Best Decorated Sheep with "The Twelfth Lamb", and second went to "The Ram from Snowy River, entered by the Houston boys, Hay.
"Ewe Heffner" entered by Sharna Manning, Henty, was awarded Most Creative Name, and Guess the Weight of the Sheep was won by Courtney and Rose Hutchins, Hay.
Booligal Sheep Races secretary Sandra Ireson said the community was thrilled with crowd numbers.
The return of the JBS trailer and their famous chop pops was a highlight for many, she said.
"We may have to run a chop eating competition next year because there were some definite contenders this year - I know one little boy ate 16 chops - that would make any parent happy!" Mrs Ireson said.
"The day really is a credit to our sponsors and the committed band of volunteers who organise and run the day.
"Our aim has always been to provide a fun day out and from all reports we certainly achieved our goal."
Funds raised from the JBS Booligal Sheep Races are distributed to local and national charities including Royal Flying Doctors Service and Hay Can-Assist.
Over the past 17 years the races had donated over $110,000 to local charities.
