The 136th edition of the Birdsville Races kicked off in a cloud of dust and trackside colour, as around 5,000 punters converged on the tiny town on the edge of the Simpson Desert for the iconic two-day race meet.
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Horses, trainers and jockeys from as far afield as Darwin (NT), Ballarat (VIC), Stawell (VIC), Quorn (SA), Murray Bridge (SA), Adelaide (SA), Tamworth (NSW), Wagga Wagga (NSW) and Gold Coast (QLD) flocked in for the first day of Western Queensland’s richest two-day race-meet, with racegoers dressing to the nines in fancy frocks and wild and wacky costumes.
But it was the headline 1600m UBET Birdsville Cup that was narrowly taken out by 17-year-old apprentice jockey Adin Thompson on the Johnson-trained Blue Jest that stole the show.
Topping a stellar 12 horse field, the connection of Birdsville Cup winner Blue Jest nabbed a record $40,000 – the largest prize-purse in the race’s prestigious 136-year history.
Thompson, one of the youngest Birdsville Cup-winning jockeys in history, is based in Miles, Queensland, with husband and wife duo Bevan and Mel Johnson, who co-trained Blue Jest to a nail-biting win.
After the race, Bevan Johnson said: “The horse felt good all week. They told me you couldn’t win with top weight, and then we drew the worst barrier. I’m going to celebrate tonight, that’s for sure!”
Bevan Johnson’s win at Birdsville continues a string of successes at country race meets. He led overall acceptances for this year’s Birdsville Races with 13 starters and is the 2017 Queensland Country Trainer of the Year.
The Johnsons have been fielding horses at the Birdsville Races since 2010, but 2018 marks their first Birdsville Cup victory. Their jockey daughter Dakota had ridden to many race wins upon Blue Jess, but fell pregnant this year – giving young-gun Thompson the opportunity to ride in the Cup.
Outside of the race track, Fashion on the Fields was a final day highlight, with classic, contemporary and novelty divisions for men, women, couples and families.
As in previous years, entertainment and trackside hospitality were also key draw-cards, while live music, pub festivities and Fred Brophy’s famous Boxing troupe kept crowds bustling in the township of Birdsville itself.
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For the first time in 2018, punters from across Australia were able to watch all of the action from the Birdsville Races live from the comfort of their own home, thanks to a national telecast deal with Sky Racing 2.
The new deal saw thee Races’ entire line-up telecast into homes across Australia, with half of the wagering proceeds donated to the Drought Appeal to help Queensland farmers doing it tough.
“We’ve had an absolute cracker of a meet this year – from our biggest ever race field, to awesome crowds and top-notch weather,” said Birdsville Race Club Vice President, Gary Brook.
“It’s wonderful to be able to see continued growth in an event that’s 136 years-old – and we keep welcoming new and familiar faces every year from not only the racing community, but also travellers from all over the country and abroad. The dust never truly settles in Birdsville, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s event!”
Proudly supported by Tourism and Events Queensland’s It’s Live! in Queensland major events calendar, the Birdsville Races are led by an organising committee comprised of a network of current and former residents of Birdsville, all keen to share the magic of the outback races – keeping the event alive and in the psyche of Australian punters.
