THE dust was flying both on and off the track at the annual Enngonia races with many racegoers turning out for a great day’s racing and entertainment.
The feature race, the Dunk Insurance Enngonia Cup was won by Zartini who is trained by a long-time supporter of the Enngonia Races, Mark Ward from Condoblion.
Bourke dominated the fashions on the field with Mikaela Bowden named the most elegant lady and Sharna Shillingsworth was chosen for her cutting-edge race wear.
Shane Carroll from the Bourke Bridge Inn was the judges pick for the best dressed gent.
The races are steeped in history.
Official racing is recorded as far back as 1877 with the Enngonia Jockey Club holding meetings in January and June.
The Enngonia Amateur Race and Enngonia District Race clubs succeeded and held meetings up until the First World War.
It was in 1922 that the current race club was formed, known as the Enngonia Picnic Race Club and held two day meetings, apart from during the Second World War.
The club changed to professional and a one-day meeting in 1966 to receive TAB funding and to allow for severe drought and dwindling district horse ownership.
The picnic atmosphere continues to this day with the racecourse set in a paddock 7 kilometres east of Enngonia village.
Racing is traditionally competitive with horses from Queensland and NSW vying for victory in an almost “State Of Origin” theme.
The principal race, the Enngonia Cup, has been won by many top horses over the years including Silver Doublet and Parragundy.
