Sydney’s leading names in racing, fashion and sport were out in force today celebrating the 2015 Sydney Spring Carnival kick off with a lavish garden party held on the race day stall lawns at Royal Randwick.
National treasure and queen of the track Gai Waterhouse was joined by trainers Peter Snowden, Michael Hawkes and wife Claire, Chris Waller, Anthony Cummings, along with sons James and Edward, and jockey stars Tommy Berry, Hugh Bowman, and fellow young rider Claire Nutman.
The Australian Turf Club ambassador family was also announced and this year includes actress Anna Bamford, fashion commentator and racing royalty Kate Waterhouse, current and former NRL legends Thomas & George Burgess and Luke Ricketson, TV personalities Ksenija Lukich and Carissa Walford and Australian DJ Havana Brown. Friends of the ATC also joined the celebration including Nova personalities Fitzy & Wippa (Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael Wipfli) and Myer ambassador Jodi Anasta.
Pip Edwards was on course to celebrate the latest hospitality offer trackside at Royal Randwick, The Bucket List Beach Club Marquee. Kicking off on The Star Epsom Day, 3 October bringing the best music, drinks and a not to be missed party trackside over five big race days, this new premium precinct will bring the best of Bondi’s iconic beach venue to the track.
The Sydney Spring Carnival continues to build on its success, this time with a supercharged format boasting increased prizemoney, new on course action and an electrifying atmosphere, only seen trackside.
Darren Pearce, CEO, Australian Turf Club said;
“The sporting spotlight shines on Sydney from 12 September to 3 November as racing purists and social goers unite at Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens for nine weeks of exceptional thoroughbred racing.”
The new format will see an extra $2 million in prizemoney fed through major races including five Group 1 and six Group 2 races. The premier race day for the Sydney Spring Carnival, The Star Epsom Day, at Royal Randwick on 3 October will see prizemoney for the feature race double to $1 million for The Star Epsom Handicap as well as a $350,000 increase for the McGrath Estate Agents Metropolitan, boasting $750,000 in prizemoney.
Sharing the October long weekend with the AFL and NRL Grand Final, The Star Epsom Day will see Sydney’s punters come together amongst a backdrop of unbeatable fashion, hospitality and entertainment.
Hot on the heels of The Star Epsom Day, Moët & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day at Royal Randwick on 10 October promises a schedule full of fashion, fun and famous faces, as the fashionable fillies strut their stuff in the only Myer Fashions on the Field competition held this Carnival.
Tony Partridge, Chief Operating Officer, Australian Turf Club said:
“As we continue to invest into Sydney racing, this year’s Sydney Spring Carnival promises to offer even more entertainment and attractions off the track to match all of the stars on the track, offering top quality racing, hospitality and a vibrant social scene for all Sydneysiders and beyond.
“Working with The Bucket List is an exciting venture for us as we bring the iconic Bondi bar to the track, for an exclusive ticket only event, for punters to enjoy over five bumper weeks of Royal Randwick racing.”
Other changes to this year’s Sydney Spring Carnival will see the introduction of the new Colgate Optic White Stakes Day at Royal Randwick on the 19 September, revitalising the first day of Royal Randwick racing with a host of new Colgate Optic White activations, as well as the iconic Men of League Cox Plate Day moved to Royal Randwick on 24 October.
For all ticketing, information and hospitality options, including exclusive dining and reserved seating options for all days,
visit
www.theraces.com.au
Saturday 12 September
De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Day, Rosehill Gardens
Group 1 $1 million De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes
Trackside DJ
Australian Turf Club Members will receive free Members guest pass
Saturday 19 September
Colgate Optic White Stakes Day, Royal Randwick
Group 1 $500,000 Colgate Optic White Stakes, as well as a number of Group 2 and Group 3 races
Racegoers will be encouraged to wear a splash of red, embracing the iconic colours associated with
Colgate Optic White
A host of Colgate Optic White activations including; Carousel on Octagonal Lawn, floral photo wall,
and horse shoe toss
DJ at Truck Stop
Australian Turf Club Members will receive free Members guest pass
Saturday 26 September
Ronald McDonald House Westmead Golden Pendant Day, Rosehill Gardens
Group 2 $400,000 Golden Pendant for fillies and mares and Group 2 $200,000 Stan Fox Stakes
by Arrnott Olssen
Editor Rogue Homme