The Birdsville Races have once again delivered an unforgettable celebration of racing, community and the extraordinary Australian Outback, with thousands of locals and visitors converging on Birdsville for two days of thoroughbred racing.
Set against the spectacular red dirt and wide-open skies of Outback Queensland, the iconic race meeting has brought together trainers, jockeys, punters, families, volunteers and visitors from across Australia – showcasing both the unique character of the Birdsville Races and the remarkable communities that make the event possible.
The racing delivered plenty of excitement across the 13-race program, with a record $350,000 in prize money attracting some of Australia’s best-known outback racing competitors.
In a tightly contested race the favourites battled for top honours with Mackay trainer Lachie Manzelmann taking out the prestigious $70,000 TAB Birdsville Cup with Raetihi after his father John took out top honours in 2025.
The back-to-back Cup win marks a successful few years for the Manzelmann’s who have historically brought large teams of horses to Birdsville.
Hello World came in second after taking out the Akubra Big Red on the first day of racing for SA trainer Kym Healy, with another local favourite in the race Testator Silens coming in third for the syndicate of proud Queenslanders including long-standing Birdsville Races bookmaker Gary Peoples, Diamantina Mayor Francis Murray and State of Origin great Chris ‘Choppy’ Close.
Acerod finished fourth with Brisbane based jockey Paul Hamblin on board. Hamblin created Birdsville’s first hot artesian ‘spa’ on the morning of his Cup race, setting up an old cast iron bath tub in a paddock in the Simpson Desert on the outskirts of Birdsville in a bid to shred a few kilos in the 100 degree waters ahead of weigh-in for the Melbourne Cup of the Outback.
During the Cup presentation, Birdsville Race Club Vice President Gary Brook also announced that the Club’s partnership with TAB would be extended for another 12 months.
Birdsville Race Club Vice President Gary Brook expressed his thanks for the thousands of racegoers who had travelled to the outback event.
“Thank you to all our trainers and racegoers for supporting us and the surrounding outback communities. To look around the track and see people enjoying themselves, backing the horses and celebrating everything that makes the Outback special is incredibly rewarding.
“Congratulations to the Manzelmann’s on another great win in the Cup. They make a huge effort with the number of horses they bring each year – it’s nice to see that pay off.”
Race 3, the Birdsville Races Roadies Handicap, saw 81 year-old Toowoomba based horse trainer John “Ferg” Ferguson pin all his hopes on Aussie Adaptor after announcing this year’s Birdsville Races would be his last race as a trainer.
A legend of the Queensland Outback having managed S. Kidman & Co station Durham Downs for 68 years, Ferg has attended the races as a trainer for 63 years with his kids growing up trackside at Birdsville. Three of his daughters and three of his grandchildren, along with their partners and friends, travelled to Birdsville to support Ferg in his final Birdsville Races event as a trainer.
Aussie Adaptor failed to pick-up a place in race 3 after coming second in Betoota, but trackside spirits of the Ferguson family were high as they relished the time together and catching up with new and old friends.
SA trainer Kym Healy took out training honours for the carnival with three wins, whilst victorian hoop and regular Birdsville visitor, John Keating, collected the riding honours with three wins over the two days, including the Akubra Big Red feature race on Friday.
The event has also raised more than $30,000 for the important work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) through the RFDS Fun Run, RFDS Gala Auction, donations and merchandise sales at the track.
It wasn’t just the horses turning heads, with racegoers embracing the unique fashion and fun of the Birdsville track. The Fashions on the Field competition showcased plenty of colour and creativity, with visitors travelling from across the country to put their own stamp on race day style.
Jess Skinner and Stuart Skinner from Mendooran, NSW, took home the Best Hat and Best Gent titles, while Nevenka and Colin Muller from Cloncurry, QLD, were named Best Family. Jaimee Siriour from the Adelaide Hills, SA, took out Best Ladies.
Thousands of locals and visitors poured into the red dirt for the two-day carnival, including Hon David Littleproud MP, Member for Maranoa, and Sean Dillon, State Member for Gregory.
For many visitors, the journey to Birdsville is part of the experience itself — and the scale of the annual pilgrimage is testament to the enduring appeal of a race meeting that simply could not be replicated anywhere else.
From the remote location and spectacular desert landscape to the generosity of the local community, the Birdsville Races offer a uniquely Australian experience where racing, adventure and outback hospitality come together.
The Birdsville Races are proudly supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, and feature on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.
