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By Mark Brassel

THE EVERGREEN TURF COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS IS AS POPULAR AS EVER AS IT HEADS INTO ITS 11TH EPISODE, OFFERING BUSH PARTICIPANTS THE CHANCE TO HIT ROYAL RANDWICK’S BIG STAGE

From its relatively humble beginnings with a prize pot of $300,000 in 2015, to the 2025 version boasting $1 million, the Country Championships has long been a sure-fire hit.

Not only does the rich Final at Randwick offer some life-altering cash, but it works wonders for the nine different regions hosting the $150,000 Qualifiers and two Wildcards.

The Evergreen Turf Country Championships was created to support and promote NSW racing in country areas, guaranteeing horses from around NSW are part of The Championships in Sydney during the autumn.

Coonamble Jockey Club hosts the Western Qualifier on Sunday 16 March and as the Club’s president, Ken Waterford said: “We have great local sponsors supporting the event and the race brings a lot to the town as well.

The Evergreen Turf Country Championships commences at Port Macquarie on Sunday 16 February

“All the accommodation gets booked out, people are eating in local restaurants, and our local businesses get more foot traffic. It’s a win for everyone!”

The qualifying series in 2025 including the Wildcards will be run on five Sundays, two Saturdays and a Friday with the $1m Evergreen Turf Country Championships Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Day 1 of The Championships (Saturday 5 April).

Kicking off the 2025 version will be Port Macquarie Race Club who hosts the Mid North Coast Championships (1200m) on Sunday 16 February.

“We have some exciting things happening for the Country Championships with a fully serviced and hosted three-course luncheon package by our award-winning onsite caterers in the Ivan Livermore Stand including a drink on arrival all for $120 per person which is excellent value,” said Nardi Beresford, CEO of Port Macquarie Race Club.

“We’ll also have the Lawn Party with private bars and DJ throughout the afternoon at only $40 per person, along with a Cocktail Bar and live entertainment.

“There will be fashions with Best Dressed Male and Female where finalists will be spotted in the crowd by our judges and then presented on stage.

The winners will be announced with fabulous prizes on offer and general admission is only $20, so we’re expecting a big crowd to join us.”

Lismore Turf Club is next with the Northern Rivers Championships (1400m) to be held on Saturday 22 February. The Club is yet to host a Championships as they were marked down for one last year but unfortunately it was rained out and transferred to Grafton.

Shoalhaven City Turf Club (Nowra) will stage the South East Championships (1400m) on Sunday 23 February: “Shoalhaven City Turf Club is excited to be hosting a heat of the Country Championships,” said SCTC’s CEO, Paul Weekes.

Nowra will host the South East Country Championships on Sunday 23 March. Image by Bradley Photographers

“Having previously held a heat of the Championships in 2022, we appreciate first-hand the impact that this race meeting has on not only the local racing fraternity but also on the wider community.

“The Club will not only be looking to match what we achieved in 2022 but will look to surpass both in terms of engagement in the lead up to the event and attendance on the raceday itself.

“With the increases in prizemoney and now boasting $390,000 for the day, this will be the biggest race meeting ever held in Nowra.

“The meeting will be heavily promoted both locally and throughout the regions and there will be some exciting on-course activities and promotions for all patrons to enjoy with live music and entertainment for the kids. The Club will also be conducting an on-course racebook competition with $5,000 in prizemoney.

“The Country Championships concept is widely acknowledged as the pinnacle of country racing in NSW and the Club is delighted to have been entrusted by Racing NSW to be the South East Racing Association’s host venue in 2025.”

Racing Orange will take over the reins for the Central Districts Championships on Friday 28 February for the first time, after Mudgee had hosted the day for the past seven years.

The Southern Districts Championships returns to Murrumbidgee Turf Club (Wagga) after a three-year hiatus on Saturday 1 March: “We last hosted in 2022 where we saw local Wagga trainer Gary Colvin win on home turf with Another One, who then went on to win the [$500K] Final at Royal Randwick,” said MTC’s CEO, Jason Ferrario.

“Another local trainer Doug Gorrel also tasted success in 2024 with his mare Asgarda, qualifying through the SDRA qualifier at Albury before securing the [$1m] Final.

“We’re welcoming back our popular Party on the Paddock which brings a festival experience to racegoers throughout the day, with Australia’s hottest emerging DJ headlining after the last, CYRIL.

The $150,000 Evergreen Turf Southern Districts Country Championships returns to Wagga this year

“We’ve been working hard to curate an unforgettable experience for our attendees and having CYRIL on board takes it to the next level.

“Tickets are on sale now via the MTC website for $45 which includes entry to the Party on the Paddock precinct as well as the races, don’t miss out on witnessing this electrifying performance and an unforgettable Country Championships Day.”

There are plenty of hospitality options with GA tickets from $10 as well as access into the Long Lunch in the Grandview Marquee for $110 with premium trackside views and a buffet lunch, private bar and donation to charity.

Tamworth Jockey Club will be running the Evergreen Turf Hunter & North West Championships (1400m) on Sunday 9 March.

“We are in the early stages at the moment, but we’re planning a Ladies Day for the afternoon,” said TJC’s CEO, Jack Penfold. "We’ll have a long lunch with a panel of female talkers who we’re yet to confirm and a Fashions on the Field.

"We’re proud to say this will be the seventh occasion our Club has hosted a Country Championships.”

Coonamble Jockey Club will host the Western Championships Championships (1400m) on Sunday 16 March, the last of the Regional Qualifiers before the two Wildcards.

Scone Race Club is home to the Northern Wildcard (1400m) on Friday 21 March before Goulburn District Race Club runs the Southern Wildcard (1400m) two days later on the Sunday – the final two chances to gain a Golden Ticket into the $1m Evergreen Turf Country Championships Final.

Goulburn, known as the tablelands Club, will host the Southern Country Championships Wildcard on Sunday 23 March. GDRC’s CEO Robyn Fife said the count down to the Country Championships is well and truly underway.

“The Showcase raceday features almost $400,000 in prizemoney across the card,” she said. “In the corresponding race last year Goulburn was able to cheer home one if its own when Danielle Seib produced Associate to win the 2024 Southern Wildcard and join Danny Williams' two qualified runners in the final at Royal Randwick.

“Being part of the Country Championships series is an important milestone for our club and 2025 will be the third year we have partnered with Racing NSW to deliver the Southern Wildcard qualifier.”

Ms Fife also highlighted an important first-time partnership with Riding for the Disabled as part of the Southern Wildcard Raceday: “Riding for the Disabled participants and volunteers will be joining us on track on the day with gate takings being donated to the local branch.”

Along with top shelf country racing there will be also numerous hospitality and trackside attractions including luncheon packages in the Winning Post Marquee, entertainment by DJ Amy James, Fashions on the Field and plenty of fun complimentary children’s activities such as magicians, face painting and lolly bags.

COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS HONOUR ROLL
2024 - ASGARDA (Kayla Nisbet / Doug Gorrel-$26) South East
2023 - SIZZLE MINIZZLE (Sam Clipperton / Brett Robb-$61) Western
2022 - ANOTHER ONE (Nick Heywood / Gary Colvin-$8.50) Southern
2021 - ART CADEAU (Tommy Berry / Terry Robinson-$3.30 favourite) South East
2020 - GRACIE BELLE (Kerrin McEvoy / Matthew Dunn-$21) Northern Rivers
2019 - NOBLE BOY (Hugh Bowman / Todd Blowes-$3.10 fav) Wild Card
2018 - VICTOREM (Ben Looker / Jenny Graham-$4.60) Mid North Coast
2017 - FREE STANDING (Blake Shinn / Cathleen Rode-$31) Northern Rivers
2016 - CLEARLY INNOCENT (Tommy Berry / Greg Bennett-$5.50) Hunter & North West
2015 - ARTLEE (Mitchell Bell / Todd Willan-$6) Wildcard