The 122nd Yass Picnic Races were held at the Marchmont Racecourse on Saturday, in what was a terrific community event, with even better weather.
Six horse races were run on the day, as well as a spectacular Fashions on the Field contest, but the overall winner on the day were the racegoers, with young and old all getting into the festivities.
President of the Yass Picnic Race Club Committee, Sam Longmore, spoke to The Times about the event and how well the community supported it by showing up in their numbers.
“It was absolutely amazing. There’s been rave reviews that have gotten back to the committee since the day, which is really lovely,” Longmore said.
“We had a huge turnout and the weather was very good to us. The horses ran well, and everyone was safe.
“All of our changes were taken on very positively. We were a little bit worried how they would be received with moving members areas and changing things up a little bit, but it works well.”
Longmore estimates that there were between 1500-2000 racegoers on Saturday, but a more accurate attendance will be known once they tally up the ticket sales.
“We’ve had a few people contact us, some of the jockeys too, and let us know that it was probably one of the biggest Yass Picnic Race meets that they’ve been to in many years, which is a nice comment to get after all the hard work the committee put into it.”
Longmore said her highlight of the day was how smoothly the event ran from start to finish.
“The day ran really nicely. We didn’t just have the horse races, but the Fashions on the Field and the Footrace in between, it all ran so smoothly. Everyone just got around it and enjoyed themselves.”
The annual Yass Picnic Races will once again be held again next year, with many in the community already looking forward to it.
“The plans for us moving forward is about the continued growth of the committee, we’re hoping to get some fresh blood on the committee to continue these changes.
“We want to invest in new methods to execute things a little more smoothly like we did with our online revenue this year.
“Hopefully we can grow the committee after such a successful race meet this year and get some new interest and new blood on the committee to help it move forward. Everyone will have their time, we’ve got to keep it growing.
Longmore also wanted to thank the community for generously supporting the Picnic Races and allowing the event to happen.
“Events like this don’t happen without the community support and without the support of our sponsors and all of their incredible businesses.
“Whether they lent some of their time like the Rotary and the PA system and Barry O’Mara with his satellite and setting up our power.
“Also, all of our big-time sponsors like Agnews, Hamilton Rise and all our other major race day sponsors, it would not happen without them and their financial support.
“Our farrier Andrew Smith spent all of his time running back and forth from the stables and down the track, and the guys who move the barriers all make the day move forward.
“Last but not least, our committee. Our committee put so much effort into the race day this year to make it happen beautifully. It all came together but it wouldn’t have happened without all of them.
“Yass is such a giving community. Lots of events in Yass get lots of community support. There’s not really too many words that can express how grateful and thankful we are.”
Race Winners:
Race 1: Australian Hotel/Terry Bros Carpet Court Maiden Plate (900 Metres): Coupla Days (1) – Trainer: R Weston and J Nisbet, Jockey: Ricky Blewitt
Race 2: Agnew Hire Maiden Plate (1200 Metres): Her Call (4) – Trainer: Peter Kirby, Jockey: Emily Waters
Race 3: Michael Abbey Memorial Robertsons Yass (1200 Metres): Rock ‘N’ Tori (5) – Trainer: Lauren Davies, Jockey: Breanna Bourke
Race 4: Elders Yass – EJ Merriman Ravensworth Cup (1350 Metres): Madison Point (1) – Trainer: Rob Potter, Jockey: Ricky Blewitt
Race 5: Hamilton Rise Class 3 Trophy Handicap (900 Metres): Lucky Champion (5) – Trainer: John Rolfe, Jockey: Ricky Blewitt
Race 6: Yarrah/Waldren Constructions Yass Valley Solar Trophy Handicap (1100 Metres): Las Vegas Girl (1) – Trainer: W Ganderton, Jockey: Leandro Ribeiro
Fashions on the Field Winners:
Best Dressed Lady: Sally Martin
Best Dressed Lady Runner-Up: Tess Matthew
Best Dressed Gent: Charlie Hyles
Best Dressed Gent Runner-Up: Mark Norton
Best Dressed Junior Girl: Phoenix Warburton
Best Dressed Junior Boy: Dhu Martin
Best Dressed Local: Bec McRae
Best Dressed Couple: Sally Martin and Trevor Martin
Best Millinery: Susan Gavin
Award Winners:
Most Successful Trainer ($500 donated by Ledgworth): John Rolfe
Most Successful Jockey ($500 donated by RH and PA Connell): Ricky Blewitt
Most Outstanding Ride of the Day (Sponsored by the McRae’s): Breanna Bourke
Lucky Draw Prize: Sarah Murray-Leslie
Tim Warren
