THE Bedourie Races, one of western Queensland’s most successful and interesting race meets, is gearing up for 2014 with a quintessentially ‘outback’ program that includes a rodeo and ute muster.
Held in the isolated outback town of Bedourie, the races attract punters from all over Australia who enjoy the chance to mingle with charismatic outback locals.
With a full, quality racing program, top betting facilities at the track, a hotly-contested ‘Fashions of the Field’, live entertainment and catering and bar facilities all weekend, the Bedourie Races combine the atmosphere of a true outback event with the excitement of a top-notch race meeting.
One of the world’s most dangerous but entertaining sports, rodeo, is held at the Bedourie Races. The Bedourie rodeo attracts brave and gallant bull riders from around the country to compete for cash prizes, entertaining the crowds with displays of strength, grit and agility unseen in other sports.
Bedourie Race Club President Garth Tully says that the rodeo is included in the race weekend program because it’s a unique outback sport that travelers enjoy watching. “People travel so far to come to the Bedourie Races that we want to give them the best outback experience possible,” Mr Tully said.
“We have so many comments from travelers saying that this has been the first rodeo they’ve ever seen and that they loved watching the action, so we’re excited to be able to offer something different for our punters,” he said
“Also, our local rodeo riders will jump at any chance to compete, so it keeps them happy too.”
As one of the few Queensland race meetings that has been run continuously – even during the equine flu outbreak of 2007 Bedourie found a way to race without risk – the volunteers of the Bedourie Race Club are dedicated to providing their patrons and punters with a jam-packed weekend of entertainment.
For the past five years, the Bedourie Ute and Travellers’ Muster has been held at the race track in conjunction with the races. Almost 100 travellers and outback locals enter their vehicles in a show ‘n’ shine and compete for cash prizes in categories such as ‘best bullbar’, ‘best motorhome name’, ‘best chick’s ute’, ‘furthest motorhome from home’ and many, many more.
Despite the diverse program of events coinciding with the races, the weekend is, of course, all about the horses. With horses and trainers travelling for over 1200 kilometres to compete with some expertly trained local horses, the race program is a full day of dust-raising delight, followed by a quintessential outback party at night.
Mr Tully, himself a trainer, said that there will be some tough competition at this year’s Bedourie Races.
“We have strong nominations this year and many of the horses racing at Bedourie will complete the whole Simpson Desert Racing Carnival. So, in all, it’s a marathon event that we train hard for all year.”
With over 50 consecutive years of racing, the Bedourie Race Club is one of the founding members of the Simpson Desert Racing Carnival.
The Simpson Desert Racing Carnival began with the Betoota Races on 30th August 30, which bring a literal ghost town back to life each year.
Then, the ‘Melbourne Cup of the outback’, the famous Birdsville Races, took place on September 5-6. Finally, the Bedourie Races top off the trifecta on September 12-13.
