The iconic Brunette Downs races in the Barkly have been cancelled because of drought.
The A.B.C. Amateur Race Club committee have cancelled the 2019 races at Brunette Downs, due to the intense drought conditions being experienced across the Barkly Tablelands.
"This is not a decision the committee, a community group, has taken lightly, but considering the poor season it is in the best interests of all involved, and most importantly, the welfare of animals," a club announcement read today.
The A.B.C. Amateur Race Club was established in 1910, and in its almost 110-year history, this will only be the third cancelled race meet.
A.B.C. comes from Alexandria, Brunette Downs and Creswell Downs, the stations which gave the first letter of their names to the race club.
The other cancelled meets were due to the war and severe drought.
The A.B.C. Races at Brunette Downs are one of the highlights of the Territory calendar, bringing together people from cattle stations and towns across the Northern Territory and Queensland, and drawing guests and visitors from all over the country.
The committee is grateful for all our loyal sponsors and supporters, and the event will be back in 2020, with a big celebration to mark the 110-year anniversary of the club.
