THE RACE IS ON FOR EARLY BIRD TICKETS
Best value tickets for bucket-list 2024 Birdsville Races
The Birdsville Race Club has today released discounted early-bird tickets for the 142nd edition of the iconic Birdsville Races that will run on September 6 and 7, 2024.
Keen punters who subscribe to the Birdsville Races via the website homepage can purchase a limited number of the special early bird tickets from 10.00am on today via an exclusive link that has been emailed to them.
Tickets will then be made available 24 hours later at 10am Tuesday May 2nd to those who have not subscribed via www.birdsvilleraces.com
Event organisers have promised another exhilarating year of punting, celebration and top-notch racing competition at what many have billed the ‘Melbourne Cup of the Outback.’
“We’re bucking the trend – prices are going up on nearly everything, while we’re offering a special discounted early bird ticket price to the 2024 Birdsville Races. Those who commit early will reap the benefits,” said Gary Brook, Vice President of the Birdsville Race Club.
There will only be a limited number of Early Bird tickets available in this first release.
A single Two-Day Early Bird General Admission Ticket to the iconic thoroughbred racing carnival is just $89.90 plus booking fees and charges.
The ticket price includes bus transport to and from the Birdsville Races and Birdsville Township as well as membership to the Birdsville Races Roadies.
On May 15, the Two-Day GA ticket prices will rise by $10 to $99.90 plus booking fee.
Stalwarts of the Birdsville Races, the Brook family are already counting down to their hometown race meet after taking the TAB Birdsville Cup in 2023, their first Cup win in 23 years.
The Brook’s Phillip Stokes trained Neodium led throughout to take out the prestigious TAB Birdsville Cup in 2023 and will return to the desert track to defend his title in 2024.
“Neodium has just returned to work in preparation for his Birdsville campaign – he looks a treat and we know he handles the Birdsville track. We can’t wait to bring him ‘home’ to Birdsville and have a crack at back-to-back. That said, he’s another year older and only 3 horses have achieved the feat in 142 years, Monee Lane in 05/06, Snedden 95/96 and Brashleigh in 82/83 so we know it’s no easy feat,” said Gary Brook.
Staged in the spectacular Simpson Desert of Outback Queensland, the Birdsville Races have a rich history of dirt track racing, fashions on the field and colourful characters spanning 142 years.
“We’re the most remote races in the world, and the dusty Simpson Desert racetrack makes the Birdsville Races one of the most unique sporting events in the world. There’s nothing like seeing thoroughbred horses thunder down our track with plumes of dust behind them. People describe it as a bucket list experience – but we find once they’ve ticked that bucket list they’re hooked and we see them again year after year,” added Gary Brook.
Ranked in the top 10 of Australia’s iconic horse racing tracks, the Birdsville racetrack is the only dirt racetrack to be included amongst the green turf of other renowned thoroughbred racing destinations such as Flemington, Rosehill and Royal Randwick. *
“The Birdsville Races is the Melbourne Cup of the Outback – and while we don’t have the Birdcage, we do offer a beautiful hospitality experience in our OBE Trackside Pavilion. And dressing up – whether that’s in your finest outback racing attire for the Saturday, or whackiest outfits for Friday’s fun day – is also part of the fabric of the Birdsville Races. The after party in Birdsville is also epic. It’s rare to have a small township of just 100 people swell to a population of over 6,000, and when that happens in the first weekend of September Birdsville is ready to party – whether that’s around campfires, at the iconic Birdsville Hotel or ring side at Fred Brophy’s our race goers know how to have a great time,” said Ginnie Hope-Johnstone, Event Manager, Birdsville Race Club.
The journey to the Birdsville Races through Outback Queensland is an integral part of the experience for grey nomads, intrepid families and young adventurers alike.
Membership to the Birdsville Races Roadies is included in all racing tickets, including those who purchase early bird tickets this month.
Thousands of racegoers from around Australia actively participate in the Birdsville Races Roadies making memories and friendships to last a lifetime on their pilgrimage to the races.
2024 will see even more rewards, benefits and ways to connect with other travelers included as part of the free Birdsville Races Roadie’s membership. These benefits will include creating an on-line team profile to connect with other travelers, rally style car door stickers to display your “team name” with pride , access to Roadies merchandise and the ‘Aussie Travel Code’ resources for safe and sustainable travel, a Roadies member card to redeem discounts and enter free competitions as well as being able to access travel routes from QLD, NSW, VIC and SA designed to showcase the best of Outback Queensland – from artesian hot springs to Australia’s biggest dinosaur, bilby’s, Opal fossicking and more.
The adventure continues when Roadies arrive in Birdsville, with outback entertainment at the historic Birdsville Hotel, Fred Brophy’s famous travelling boxing troupe, camel pies at the Birdsville Bakery, sunset drinks at Big Red, paddle boarding on the Billabong and a round of golf on the Birdsville Dunes Golf Course where the red sand bunkers are nearly as challenging as the ball stealing crows.
Everyone purchasing Birdsville Races tickets before 30 June, 2024 will automatically be mailed Roadies rally-style car sticker packs. Alternatively, for those hitting the road beforehand – or purchasing tickets from 1 July car stickers can be collected in Birdsville.
The Birdsville Races generate millions of dollars in tourism spending for Outback Queensland, as well as being a much-needed social event for remote property holders and communities. The event also supports the important outback medical work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The Birdsville Races is a two-day meet with the combined prize money for the 13-race carnival topping more than $300,000 as well as bonuses up for grabs across the two days of racing. The Birdsville Cup prize money is $50,000.
The total prize pool for the Simpson Desert Racing Carnival, which includes the Birdsville Races as well as the Betoota and Bedourie Races, sits at $452,000 – making it the richest two weeks of racing in Outback Queensland.
Volunteering opportunities also exist at the 2024 Birdsville Races – giving an insiders perspective on the event.
Volunteers receive complimentary general admission entry tickets and exclusive Birdsville Race Club merchandise. Interest in volunteering can be made during the ticket purchase process or via the website.
What: 2024 Birdsville Races
Where: Birdsville, Queensland
When: Friday 6th and Saturday 7th September 2024
Cost: GA Early Bird tickets for a two-day GA entry are $89.90 plus booking fee (until May 14th, 2024)
Prices for a two-day GA will revert to $99.90 plus booking fee on May 15
OBE Pavilion trackside VIP marquee packages are $310pp + booking for Friday September 6 and $360 pp + Booking fee for Saturday September 7 (tickets are limited and usually sell-out fast)
$60 pre-ordered picnic boxes are also available to purchase and will be released in the coming months.
Tickets & info: www.birdsvilleraces.com
*Trip Advisor ranked
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Kylie Edwards @ Cardinal Spin M: 0422 233 996 or E: kylie@cardinalcomms.com.au
