HAY Races were just as much about horses as the socialising with about 2000 people in town for the annual event.
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The six-race program attracted 20 jockeys to the fixture.
Other years only 11 jockeys had raced but this years boost was helped by the $100 travel incentive paid by the Hay Jockey Club to each jockey to lure more riders the meet, said club secretary Bev Booth.
The feature race, the Elders Hay Gold Cup (1800 metres), was won by St Andrews which was ridden by Mark Pegus and trained by Colette Cooper.
St Andrews part owner was former Hay local Ron Johnson - this win makes it the fifth consecutive year Johnson had owned a winner of the Hay feature race.
Most successful jockey was Jason Lyon from Melbourne who received a bonus $500 from the Hay Jockey Club.
Ms Booth said it was the largest and best field of jockeys and horses the meet had hosted.
Fashions on the field was hotly contested with several heats held and Griffith band The Luxxtones entertained racegoers into the evening.
There were 20 marquees track side.
