Member for Riverina Michael McCormack with Yass Picnic Race Cup Jockeys, Dylan Parrott, Leandro Ribeiro, Rebecca McRae, Ricky Blewitt and Paul Zerafa before the big race sponsored by Elders Yass and EJ Merriman Ravensworth.
Following 2025’s rainy race day adventures, 2026 turned up the heat in a day that shone with blue skies for the 125th anniversary of the Yass Picnic Races.
Approximately 2500 people walked through the gate for a day filled with fancy dress, family fun, great food and quality racing.
Yass Picnic Race Club President, Hugh Rainger says the event was a resounding success, with plenty of enthusiasm for their new additions: a bar slinging cold drinks and a DJ playing well into the evening at the conclusion of the races.
On the Friday, more than 100 people attended the Calcutta event, with more than $500 raised for local charity, Hand to the Land.
“It was a wonderful addition and there were plenty of people there buying tickets,” he said. “A couple of locals bought raffle tickets, and one won the horses in the raffle, which was great.”
The lucky winner wasn’t the only local grinning after the event, with the McRae family bringing in one Fashion in the Field accolade and three wins out of the six races (two of which were horses trained by husband and father, Allan McRae).
Bec McRae, atop Rogue Hero was the first across the line in the 900 metre Maiden Plate Race. Trained by husband, Allan, Rogue Hero crossed the line with a time of 0:49:71.
Their luck continued in the second race after Bec crossed the line in first place atop Texas Open (also trained by Allan) with a time of 0:49:04.
The third race was also hers to win on Memphis Tennessee (NZ), trained by John Rolfe with a time of 1:07:89.
U12 Junior boy and girl winners for the Fashion on the Field was… Bec’s child, Jack McRae, alongside Mila Boyton.
Announced by guest judges, journalist and television host, Samantha Armytage, alongside Sydney fashion stylist, Emily Loxton, the competition was fierce, with several competing for first place.
Junior 12-18s winner went coincidentally to brother and sister duo, Layton and Chelsea Gallimore.
The best dressed lady went to Jackie Murray with Katherine Williams bringing up the rear as runner up. Millenary went to Sally Martin while the best dressed local went to Yass’ beloved Susie Castle-Roche who was surrounded by family.
Campbell Jones (a Canberran who was dressed to the nines in a custom brown suit) won best dressed male, with Binda man, Brayden Pollard taking out the runner up accolade.
Maree Doyle and Mick Holman proved to be the best dressed couple, decked out in blues.
Samantha Armytage hails from Bolaro Station in Adaminaby (which hosts its own annual races) and isn’t a stranger to the power of community gatherings such as this one.
Although she says it had been a while since she’d attended the Yass Picnic Races, it was great to be back and celebrating the anniversary with the town.
“It’s lovely to be back in Yass,” she says.
“It’s always a great community.”
According to Samantha, country races always hold something a little bit extra in their manner of dress.
“It’s all part of it,” she says.
“It’s fun to put on your good clothes and go out, and I think that the ladies all look lovely in their hats and dresses, and the men have put in a really good effort. We are seeing a lot of country men making an effort with their outfits, which is great.”
Several of the Fashions on the Field winners came from across the region, spanning Bungendore and Canberra to Wagga to take part in the event.
Despite several worrying forecasts, rain and clouds stayed well away, with all visitors enjoying a clear blue day with sun grinning down on them. The heat was battened away by a crisp breeze, making perfect picnic conditions.
“The weather was fantastic,” says Hugh.
“It was great to see people stick around for hours afterwards and enjoy the afternoon.
“I spoke to a few people who went to the pubs in town and they said they were definitely quieter than they’d been in the past, [all] because people stayed out on the course.
“The jockeys, stewards and trainers were all great too.”
That they were, with Ricky Blewitt atop I Alone (trained by Denis Consadine) with a time of 1:17:70 winning race four’s 1350 metre Maiden Plate.
Race five (the Elders Yass LTD/EJ Merriman Ravensworth Yass Picnic Cup 1350 metre race) went to Dylan Parrott atop Gundy Guy (trained by Todd Smart) with a time of 1:16:94.
The sixth and final race of the day – the Nimbus Finance Brokers Trophy Handicap 1100 metre race – was won by Human Shield, ridden by Dylon Parrott and trained by Warren Ganderton with a time of 1:01:31.
As for next year, Hugh says there is only way from here. Up.
“Next year, we’ve already had a few new sponsors jump on board and have said they’d love to get involved,” he says.
Sponsors weren’t the only thing this year’s historic anniversary race raked in, with several visitors travelling all the way from Sydney.
“A few of the [Canberra] boarding schools [also] sent big groups of people,” says Hugh.
“I was talking to a couple of guys at the end who came down from Armadale.
“People came from far and wide that had never been before [but] had heard about it through friends and been invited.
“It’s really starting to grow in interest and pick up momentum for being a really wonderful country event.”
Events such as this one can’t occur without a solid community of support backing it, and the Yass Picnic Races are no exception.
“A big thank you goes to the community for getting behind us,” says Hugh.
“I think we owe a big thank you to the Marchmont Trust who are in the process of upgrading the facility [which] helps our cause, and we are working really well together.
“Last of all, a big thank you to the whole committee.”
Despite being tired and several hangovers being in attendance, more than 18 members of the committee returned to the course to clean up the event the next day.
“That’s a sign of a healthy club and a healthy community by all getting things done by chipping in,” says Hugh. Next year will also (hopefully) see the expansion of several favourites, including the prize money for a few of the races to attract more jockey and horses. “On the back of that, we’re going to expand our DJ to have something a little bigger,” says Hugh.
“The Calcutta was a roaring success, so we’re only trying to do more events in the lead up to it, just to gain momentum and interest.”
Overall, Hugh says it’s more than just a spot of racing, which is why the event has been cemented as an annual success for 125 years.
“It’s all for us. It’s about the community and trying to make it an event for everyone,” he says. “It’s not just for people who enjoy the racing, a lot of people didn’t even look at the track all day, they’re just there to have a really good day out in the sun.”
For more information about this year’s event, or to catch up on details for next year’s event, visit their Facebook page at Yass Picnic Race Club Inc or their website at yasspicnicraces.com.au.
– Elizabeth Kovacs
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