Tickets to the second edition of the Birdsville Races this year are on sale as of Monday, May 2, with organisers predicting the greatest incarnation of the event yet as it returns to celebrate its 140th anniversary.
Australia's most iconic outback race meet, the Birdsville Races have been held since 1882 and continue to be a bucket list experience for intrepid travellers and punters the world over.
Known as the 'Melbourne Cup of the outback', the two-day spectacular of thoroughbred country racing has become synonymous with plumes of striking red dust as horses thunder down the legendary Simpson Desert track.
The event, scheduled for September 2 and 3, was preceded by a one-off April race meet. Birdsville Race Club vice president Gary Brook said there was unseasonably warm weather at that event, and is looking forward to getting back to the traditional dates in September with milder conditions.
"Saddle up, because we're about to throw an absolute cracker of an outback celebration," he said.
Much-loved television personality Sammie O'Brien experienced her first ever Birdsville Races in April 2022, and will return again in September as the ambassador for the 2022 Birdsville Races.
The iconic township of Birdsville - home to a general population of just 115 residents - will once again swell to host thousands for a renowned 13-race carnival and unique outback entertainment and activities.
Travellers who make the pilgrimage to Australia's most remote town will be treated to a bumper weekend of thoroughbred racing, plus a stacked lineup of outdoor film and live music, cocktail parties, pub festivities and Fred Brophy's famous travelling boxing troupe.
A much-loved charity element, the Birdsville Races also proudly support the Royal Flying Doctor Service, hosting a 5km fun run to help fundraise for the vital service in the remote region.
Following the TAB Birdsville Cup win of Echo Point for trainer Todd Austin at the last event, Austin will be out to achieve the rare feat of back-to-back TAB Birdsville Cup wins in September. If he does so with Echo Point, Austin will receive a $15,000 bonus courtesy of the Birdsville Race Club - the largest bonus offered in the 140 years of the event.
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