The initiative, which is being jointly funded by the Queensland Government through Events Queensland, and the BRC will see the race entry fees and travel expenses covered for select horses invited to compete in the Gr1 Treasury Casino Queensland Oaks (three-year-old fillies - 2400m) and Gr1 AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).

“Our vision was to create the ultimate showdown of Australasia’s racing champions here in Brisbane, setting a new benchmark in Australian racing which champions our local industry,” said BRC Chairman Kevin Dixon.

“We anticipate this initiative, along with the wonderful Brisbane Racing Carnival atmosphere and mild Queensland winter weather, will entice the connections of Australasia’s best sprinters and staying fillies to take on the best in their league in either the Treasury Casino Queensland Oaks or the AAMI Stradbroke,” Dixon said.

Horses become eligible for the invitational scheme if they win select sprint legs or Oaks races in Australasia in the lead up to the 2012 Brisbane Carnival.

“The greatest races always involve great horses. For example, under this initiative, world-class champion mare Black Caviar would have been invited to race in the 2011 AAMI Stradbroke field alongside Australasia’s other top champions such as King Mufhasa,” Dixon said.

“We look forward to these two races being the highlights of the Brisbane Racing Carnival in 2012.”

Queensland Racing Minister Tim Mulherin said: “This initiative is great news for both the local thoroughbred industry and will further enhance the profile of Brisbane racing.

“In 2011, more than 68,000 people attended the Brisbane Racing Carnival – which is great for the local economy, businesses and jobs.

“Hosting major events like the Brisbane Racing Carnival, including the Stradbroke Handicap and the Queensland Oaks is part of our plan to continue building Queensland’s bright future – and encourage visitors to escape from the southern winter chill and head to Queensland.”

Events Queensland CEO John O’Sullivan said the initiative would help further enhance Brisbane’s profile as an events destination.

“This initiative follows unprecedented growth in our major events calendar,” Mr O’Sullivan said. “In 2012, we will see a number of significant sporting, arts and cultural events for Brisbane including Matisse: Drawing Life, QPAC International Performance Series, Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado, 34th International Geological Congress, World Theatre Festival, Mummy: Secrets of the Tomb and the Rugby Union Castrol Edge Welsh Tour.”

This initiative will see the winners of Australasian sprints including the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 10, the T.J. Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick on April 14, The Goodwood at Morphettville on May 12 and the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham Racecourse, New Zealand on Saturday, January 21 invited to Brisbane.

The three-year-old staying fillies winners in the New Zealand Oaks (2400m) on March 17, the WA Oaks at Ascot on March 31, the ATC Oaks on April 21 and the Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on May 12 will be invited to Brisbane.

Eligible horses so far include the Paul Mesarra trained Ortensia (2011 Winterbottom Stakes Winner) and the Robert Smerdon trained Mosheen (2011 VRC Oaks Winner).

“The Queensland Winter Racing Carnival has a long history of attracting Australasia’s leading thoroughbreds and this joint initiative can only further enhance the quality of horse competing in our Group 1 races.  Racing Queensland congratulates the Queensland Government for their continued support of the Queensland racing industry through the allocation of funds by Events Queensland for this initiative,” said Racing Queensland Limited Chairman, Bob Bentley.

Gai Waterhouse threw her support behind the initiative declaring it to be a great concept.

“It’s a great concept because you’re bringing together the best of the best. To think you’re going to bring together a number of Group 1 winners from the other handicaps around Australia and New Zealand only can make for better racing and a better quality field.”

Black Caviar Trainer Peter Moody said: “This is certainly a great way to end our racing year. It goes a long way to forming part of a championship of racing here in Australia where we can have fun in the sun in the middle of winter in Queensland!”

The Brisbane Racing Club Chairman was also ecstatic to announce a new partnership with Brisbane BMW & Westside BMW.

“Any trainer who has a placegetter (1^st – 4^th) in both the Doomben 10,000 and the Stradbroke Handicap will have a chance to select 1 of 50 keys which will unlock a new BMW 5 Series Sedan with a retail value of $95,139 drive away. Should no trainer achieve that feat, the winning trainer of the Stradbroke Handicap will be extended that opportunity.

“We feel this is yet a further opportunity to reward a trainer for their support of our Carnival in preparing their horses to run in our feature events,” said Mr Dixon.

The Brisbane Racing Carnival will take place at Doomben and Eagle Farm Racecourses between May 12 and June 9.

The $1 million AAMI Stradbroke will be run on Saturday, June 9 with the $400,000 Treasury Casino Queensland Oaks run the week earlier on Saturday, June 2. Both events are conducted at Eagle Farm Racecourse.

Carnival Hospitality Packages go on sale early February 2012.

The BRC Awards were founded to encourage and pay tribute to the trainers, jockeys, horses, trackwork riders and participants of the racing industry; in particular, those who rarely receive recognition in front of their peers.

Winners were picked based on their achievements throughout the 2010/ 11 season at either Eagle Farm or Doomben Racecourses.

Female jockey, Priscilla Schmidt, received the BRC Rising Star Award for her standout performance throughout the season. With her supermodel looks and string of successes, the budding 21-year-old jockey appears to have a very bright future in the racing industry.

Accolades for the Best Strike Rate were awarded to Kelso Wood (Trainer category), Damian Browne (Jockey category) and Mitchell Speers (Apprentice Jockey category).

Wood’s strike rate saw him train 19 winners from 116 starters, with 47% of his runners becoming placegetters. Browne rode 40 winners at a winning strike rate of one winner in every 4.3 rides whilst Speers rode ten winners at a strike rate of one winner in every 7.5 rides.

Sky Racing Cameraman, Joe Zoppi, received an Industry Contribution Award alongside track work riders Dave Keogh and Bruce Ohlbrecht both of whom have shown dedication and devotion to the development of budding riders and horses.

Brad Herne received the Industry Encouragement Award in recognition of his training efforts in his first full season of training with a team of 8 horses in work at Eagle Farm. Brad trained four metropolitan winners this year.

Flagship Horse of the Year was awarded to Buffering who flew the flag for Brisbane racing in QLD and interstate. Buffering ran third to champion mare Black Caviar in the Group 1 BTC Cup earlier this year.

Jockey Chris Munce received the most gongs of the evening winning the Brisbane Metropolitan Jockey Premiership as well being awarded the Ambassador Travel Jockey Medal.

Munce has had a highly successful season having ridden 79.5 winners as well as winning the 2010 Group 1 Caulfield Cup.

The 2011 Premier Trainer Award went to Robert Heathcote for the third year in a row. This season Heathcote trained 63 winners at Eagle Farm and Doomben. He also trained winners on five of the six Brisbane Racing Carnival race days and ran fourth in the $1 million Group 1 AAMI Stradbroke with Buffering.

Justin Wood was named 2011 Premier Apprentice Jockey after riding 20 winners, despite a number of injuries and setbacks.

The winners were announced in front of hundreds of guests including LNP Leader, Campbell Newman and Councillor David McLachlan.

Each winner received a trophy and embroidered RM Williams vest.

BRC Chief Executive Stephen Ferguson said “The Brisbane Racing Awards are our way of saying thank you to those who dedicate an extraordinary amount of time and effort to the sport.

“These Awards allow us to personally recognise those that work behind the scenes to make racing the tremendous sport that it is,” said Mr Ferguson.
-ENDS-

For all media enquiries please contact: Pru Reed - Marketing Manager (BRC) - 0451 124 159 or preed@brc.com.au

The BRC Awards were founded to encourage and pay tribute to the trainers, jockeys, horses, trackwork riders and participants of the racing industry; in particular, those who rarely receive recognition in front of their peers.

Winners were picked based on their achievements throughout the 2010/ 11 season at either Eagle Farm or Doomben Racecourses.

Female jockey, Priscilla Schmidt, received the BRC Rising Star Award for her standout performance throughout the season. With her supermodel looks and string of successes, the budding 21-year-old jockey appears to have a very bright future in the racing industry.

Accolades for the Best Strike Rate were awarded to Kelso Wood (Trainer category), Damian Browne (Jockey category) and Mitchell Speers (Apprentice Jockey category).

Wood’s strike rate saw him train 19 winners from 116 starters, with 47% of his runners becoming placegetters. Browne rode 40 winners at a winning strike rate of one winner in every 4.3 rides whilst Speers rode ten winners at a strike rate of one winner in every 7.5 rides.

Sky Racing Cameraman, Joe Zoppi, received an Industry Contribution Award alongside track work riders Dave Keogh and Bruce Ohlbrecht both of whom have shown dedication and devotion to the development of budding riders and horses. 

Brad Herne received the Industry Encouragement Award in recognition of his training efforts in his first full season of training with a team of 8 horses in work at Eagle Farm. Brad trained four metropolitan winners this year.

Flagship Horse of the Year was awarded to Buffering who flew the flag for Brisbane racing in QLD and interstate. Buffering ran third to champion mare Black Caviar in the Group 1 BTC Cup earlier this year.
Jockey Chris Munce received the most gongs of the evening winning the Brisbane Metropolitan Jockey Premiership as well being awarded the Ambassador Travel Jockey Medal. 

Munce has had a highly successful season having ridden 79.5 winners as well as winning the 2010 Group 1 Caulfield Cup.

The 2011 Premier Trainer Award went to Robert Heathcote for the third year in a row. This season Heathcote trained 63 winners at Eagle Farm and Doomben. He also trained winners on five of the six Brisbane Racing Carnival race days and ran fourth in the $1 million Group 1 AAMI Stradbroke with Buffering.

Justin Wood was named 2011 Premier Apprentice Jockey after riding 20 winners, despite a number of injuries and setbacks.

The winners were announced in front of hundreds of guests including LNP Leader, Campbell Newman and Councillor David McLachlan. 

Each winner received a trophy and embroidered RM Williams vest.

BRC Chief Executive Stephen Ferguson said “The Brisbane Racing Awards are our way of saying thank you to those who dedicate an extraordinary amount of time and effort to the sport.

“These Awards allow us to personally recognise those that work behind the scenes to make racing the tremendous sport that it is,” said Mr Ferguson.

Each year local primary schools are invited to design and paint a life size fibreglass horse sculpture with a design that represents the Brisbane Racing Carnival. IT was clear form an array of ideas - just how the children and teachers interperet different elements of the famous Brisbane Racing Carnival.

Brisbane Racing Carnival Ambassador Sofie Formica, jockey Shane Scriven and Minister for Racing Tim Mulherin, looked over the 23 horses - and the competition was fierce.

The $4000 Grand Prize was awarded to.... with each school entry receiving $500 just for participating - proudly supported by our great sponsors AAMI.

With a dress guide of "fun and frills", the David Jones Fashions on the Field saw a combination of different looks - but certainly a focus on retro and vintage dresses. Whilst competition was fierce for a huge prize package, first place was awarded to the recently engaged Tania Lazarou. Tania's outfit was a re-styled 50's number. Along with vintage gloves, Sydney milliner Sandy Bizys re-worked excess material into a matching rosette styled head piece. Tania will enjoy a great array of prizes including accommodation at the Treasury Casino Hotel, David Jones gift vouchers and a trip to the Victorian Oaks during Melbourne's Spring Carnival.

Colourful milliner and Fashions judge, Peter Jago also presented his Millinery award to contestant Mildred Elwood. Mildred also competed in Fashions on the Field and her cream felt head piece was certainly awe-inspiring.

The Fashions precinct also saw a glimpse of some beautiful fascinators designed by some famous faces in the Brisbane Racing Carnival Celebrity Millinery Competition. With all proceeds donated to official charity partner Act for Kids. Some of the fascinators have been styled by Winners and Losers Stars, Channel Seven personalities and more. Click here to see all the fascinators and make a bid.

Whether your view was from one of the luxe trackside marquees, the new members' precinct or from the grandstands, the Group One Carlton Mid Doomben 10,000 was an enthralling and close race with Beaded just taking the win by a short head from Love Conquers All. Jockey Corey Brown dedicated his win to his father- who joined the masses in cheering Brown towards the finish.

However, it seems 10,000 was offering more wins around the racecourse than ever before, starting with Hardy Brothers Fashions on the Field - Couple Category. Winners, Ashleigh Robson and Cliff Dean took home over $13,000 worth of prizes, including stunning jewellery from Hardy Brothers, a trip to New Zealand and accommodation at the Treasury Casino. Judges had a hard time deciding between an array of coordinated and impressive ensembles - with many taking the opportunity to showcase 10,000 Day's dress code of "structured racewear".

Then the course proper was covered in schooners - with legs, arms and heads in the innaugural Carlton Mid Schoone Race for the chance to share in $10,000 worth of prize money. A spectacular sight between some of the nations best horses, the crowds saw oversized schooners as they'd never seen before.

And past winner Apache Cat was greeted by adoring fans as he revisted the day he course where he won back-to-back Doomben 10,000's in 98 and 99. With hundred passing on stories to the next generation, and plenty of happy snaps from his stall, Apache visited marquee guests and led out the 2011 field for the day's main event.

A quintessential Queensland raceday, Carlton Mid Doomben 10,000 Day sees the last of the Doomben Racecourse for the 2011 Brisbane Racing Carnival - but the buzz will be alioght accross the road at Eagle Farm Raceourse for the remaining two days of the 2011 Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival. Treasury Casino QLD Oaks Ladies Day on Staurday June 5th, is all about the fillies! On the track will feature the classic Group 1 Treasury Casino QLD Oaks, and off the track Brisbane will be able to indulge in fantastic hospitality options - perfect for corporate clients or entertaining friends. And the style will be oozing from the grandstands and the Fashions Precinct with more superb prizes to be won in the Fashions on the Field - Womens Category. With a dress code of "fun and frills", Treasury Casino QLD Oaks Ladies Day will certainly be an entertaining and enjoyable day out at the Brisbane Racing Carnival!

But the stars certainly didn't stop there, with a long list of famous faces joining in the trackside party. Two stars of Channel Seven's current hit Winners and Loser's fulfilled their duties on the judging panel for the Family Fashions on the Field – commenting on the outstanding quality of each families racewear. The competition saw families stepping up the competition with coordinated outfits and colours, with first place awarded to Bianca Clark, Taylor Morris and Rhyan Cloutier (aged 12) from Maroochydore (pictured right). Whilst Bianca's headpiece stole the show, the carefully coordinated outfits impressed the judges with their hint of old-racing style.

Even Brisbane Racing Carnival Ambassador Sofie Formica, shared in the family atmosphere with her partner and three children on a quintessential family raceday. Jack and Emily could be found giving their own tips from the Winners Circle alongside Nathan Exelby (fancy names and colours proved to be a strong theme), whilst Jess co-hosted Fashions on the Field with Liz Cantor.

And as hard as it was to drag the kids away from the free carnival rides, and farrier demonstration, Cartoon Network's Ben 10, saw hundred of kids swarm towards the stage for his live stage show. With alien-busting moves, and Omnitrix watches everywhere, the little kids enjoyed a great two-part show and of course plenty of photos for this week's show and tell.

One more highlight of the day even saw a quirky take on racing – with 17 oversized mascots racing towards $5,000 for charity! After a staggered start, some stumbling feet and a lot of wobbling heads, first place was pinched by Tuki representing Little Athletics QLD with the prize money assisting with equipment for their organisation. Click here for all the pics. What was a hilarious show for the crowd and a unique twist on racing down the homestraight – it may just be the perfect warm up for next week's Carlton Mid Schooner Race, which will see 24 human-sized schooners dash towards the winning post for a share of $10,000.

Check out all the action for next week's Carlton Mid Doomben 10,000 Day here.

Drawing patrons from all over Queensland, interstate and even international guests, the 2011 BTC Cup was set to be a once in a generation event, and the Black Caviar - Luke Nolen duo did not disappoint. Whether your view was from one of Doomben's newest venues: The Lookout, The Grove Precinct, The Homestraight Lawn or from one of the packed grandstands, it was a BTC Cup that is sure to be remembered for years to come. Black Caviar merchandise even sold out soon after gates opened, with hundred taking home a much-desired piece of memorabilia.

And whilst Brisbane was privy to some of the best racing in the country, there was also a hive of activity off track too. The Hardy Brothers and MSIT Fashions on the Field showcased Brisbane's top fashion students and their take on modern racewear. First place was awarded to Rebekah Wall, a fashion student at Metropolitan South Institute of Tafe with a black ensemble (designed by fellow student Edwina McLennan) accented with natural tones and impressive millinery designed by Felicity Boevink.

And the party certainly didn't stop after Black Caviar's triumph with the Bang Gang Deejays entertaining the crowds as the sun set on a spectacular Racefest. Remixing crowd favourites, Sydney's Bang Gang Deejays had hundreds of feet tapping across the front lawn – the perfect end for an unforgettable raceday.

With Black Caviar's win setting the tone for what is guaranteed to be a remarkable Brisbane Racing Carnival, 2011 is set for an unforgettable five weeks of racedays!

The Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival Cocktail party is the social culmination of Brisbane's pinnacle racing season where the industry and race-goers come together to celebrate the stories of the Carnival under the stars.

Trainers, owners, celebrities, jockeys, industry pundits and punters, their friends and families will all join together at this glittering "night-of-nights" to swap stories and share secrets on the eve of the grand finale of the Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival – the AAMI Stradbroke.

The Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival Cocktail party is one of the most highly anticipated events of the Racing Carnival as it offers race-goers the rare opportunity to meet and mingle with industry VIPs in a glamorous yet relaxed social setting.

Tickets are expected to sell fast to this unique event where race-fans rub-shoulders with industry icons while enjoying a night of tantalising canapés, flowing champagne, great live music and dancing beneath the stars

Celebrities taking part in this promotion include Channel Seven Presenters - Kay McGrath, Sharyn Ghidella, Sofie Formica, Angie Asimus, Kimberley Busteed and Liz Cantor.

The celebrity millinery line can be viewed at the Carnival Ladies' Day, Treasury Casino QLD Oaks on June 4.

The online auction will run between June 4 and June 10 at brc.com.au, with the highest winning bidders revealed on AAMI Stradbroke Day, June 11.

All proceeds raised from the auction will be donated to ACT for Kids, the Official Charity of the Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival. ACT for Kids, formerly known as the Abused Child Trust, is an Australian charity which works to treat and prevent child abuse and neglect.

Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) Chief Operating Officer, Darren Condon said the initiative is a fantastic opportunity for the fashion-conscious to get behind a great cause.

"With the generous support of these celebrities the millinery auction will raise awareness about child abuse and raise funds for ACT for Kids to continue their work in the community.

"What's more, this is your opportunity to own a bespoke piece of millinery designed by some of the country's most recognizable celebrities," said Mr Condon.