2018 Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival launches with tribute to history of racing

Friday, 20 April 2018

In celebration of thunderous hooves and indelible fashion moments, the 2018 Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival will pay tribute to premium racing past and present across four spirited race days, commencing May 12.

From old-time trademarks to ‘Rough Habit’ bursting onto the scene, the Carnival will salute over 150-years of unforgettable trackside wins and fashion trends, and make new history with a spectacular line-up of Carnival events.

Brisbane Racing Club General Manager of Sales and Marketing Katie Churchill says ears are up and bets are on for an extraordinary gazette of race day experiences. “This year’s Carnival is all about looking back at racing heritage through time and bringing to life moments of excitement, suspense and fashion,” Ms Churchill said. “Over the years, we’ve seen the finest thoroughbreds take to the track and fashion styles evolve with every meet. “It’s these stories that have made the Winter Carnival the icon it is today and we’re excited to take our patrons and new spectators on a journey through time.”

Expecting to draw in a crowd of over 40,000, the Carnival, comprising of seven Group 1 races over four big days, promises a zinger of unforgettable style and stallions. There will be close to $9 million in prize money on offer, ensuring a true display of racing of the highest quality. Renowned trainers, jockeys and horses from Sydney and Melbourne will be flying in, along with local leading jockeys Jim Byrne and Jeff Lloyd well and truly in contention.

Beginning the grand contest is the KIRIN Doomben 10,000 Day on May 12, one of Australia’s best weight-for-age races and the perfect programme for hotshot punters and spiffy racegoers ready to don their favourite vintage number. Already this race has earned inclusion in the top 100 races in the world and the standard of likely runners this year will cement the 10,000 in that exalted position. Last year’s winner, Redzel is returning to chase back-to-back 10,000 victories. His performances following his Group 1 breakthrough at Doomben deservedly placed him as the number 1 sprinter in Australia.

Running second is the Hardy Brothers Doomben Cup Day on May 19, bringing a magical flair to the Carnival and an action-packed ticket on the track with the Group 1 Hardy Brothers Doomben Cup.

Lauded for legendary styles, the Treasury Brisbane Ladies Oaks Day on May 26 will be a premier event hosting Best Dressed titles for the prim and proper and two Group 1 races, which will see gallant Randwick Oaks runner-up, Hiyaam line up for victory.

The much-anticipated UBET Stradbroke Day on June 9 will conclude the Carnival on a winning high, glittering with tradition and the glory of an unrivalled programme weighted with over $3.8 million in prize money. “Stradbroke Day brings about an exhilaration like no other. It is Queensland’s most famous race day, hosting horses from across the country,” Ms Churchill said. While world-class racing is, and will always be at the heart of the Brisbane Racing Carnival, there are some new venues and experiences this year to add to the excitement for racegoers.

The brand new KIRIN Birdcage at Doomben will see a luxurious and elegant Japanese inspired two-storey function space come to life. For the first time, the team from Brisbane’s premier Asian fusion restaurant, Madame Wu, will cater for guests who have secured an exclusive ticket to this event. “From dumplings to duck, Executive Chef, Brendon Barker has developed a delicious menu incorporating the best home-grown Queensland produce,” Ms Churchill said. 

All the additional excitement offered off the track will continue in 2018, including The Village precinct, Fashions on the Field, Vintage Rose and Chandon pop up bars, restaurant cuisine, pamper lounge and live entertainment. Fashions on the Field is one of the most highly rated elements of the racing season, which has seen styles evolve and cement over time. This year’s show piece events will see Channel 7 presenters Sammie O’Brien and Liz Cantor attend as well as former Miss World Australia Tess Alexander and TV presenter Courtney Thorpe. Australian singer-songwriter, Shannon Noll and Brisbane based band, Sheppard will feature as headline acts at Hardy Brothers Doomben Cup Day and Treasury Brisbane Ladies Oaks Day, respectively.

The Carnival will also see former Australian rugby league footballer Beau Ryan, Home and Away star Sam Frost and fashion icon Steph Claire Smith fly in to join in on the excitement. Along with renowned trainers, Chris Waller, Gai Waterhouse, Peter and Paul Snowden, James Cummings, Darren Weir, Ciaron Maher and many more.

Two other events in the 2018 Carnival programme are the Maker’s Mark Carnival Ball which will launch the glitz and glamour of the Carnival on April 28, and the Paspaley Pearls Carnival High Tea – a fashion focal point of the Carnival which falls on May 25.

There is certainly something for everyone at the 2018 Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival.