Off and running for The Star Stradbroke Season 2024
THE Brisbane Racing Club today proudly launched its premier event, The Star Stradbroke Season 2024.
Six weeks of world-class thoroughbred racing is ahead, from 4 May to 15 June, at BRC’s two racecourses, Eagle Farm and Doomben.
The Star Stradbroke Season is headlined by Queensland’s iconic handicap sprint, The Star Stradbroke, which carries prizemoney of $3 million. Earlier this year The Star Stradbroke was named for the first time on the list of the world’s Top 100 Group 1 races, joining two other carnival races on this prestigious list – the Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 and EVA Air Kingsford Smith Cup.
Across the whole of The Star Stradbroke Season, there is $20 million in prizemoney on the line, seven Group 1 races, and eight races worth $1 million or more in prizemoney.
Leading Australian trainers Sam Freedman and Peter Moody were special guests at today’s launch at Eagle Farm. Alongside Brisbane’s 10-time premiership-winning trainer Tony Gollan, they chatted with MC and Seven Racing commentator Jason Richardson about horses they are considering for the carnival and races they will look to target.
Sam Freedman and his father Anthony trained last year’s Sky Racing Q22 winner Without A Fight, which went on to claim the coveted Caulfield and Melbourne Cups double.
“It was surreal winning the Cups double,” Sam said. “It was something I dreamt of when I was a kid and to achieve it alongside my dad, and so early in my training career, was very special. And it started here at Eagle Farm. We knew there was a lot more to come.”
Queensland-born Peter Moody, trainer of the great Black Caviar, has chalked up many wins in Stradbroke Season feature races in the past decades, including what he told guests was the finest moment he had enjoyed in his long training career: in 2012 winning the Stradbroke, Brisbane Cup and Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm all in the one day.
At the launch, Brisbane Racing Club Chief Executive Officer Tony Partridge announced the two BRC Ambassadors for The Star Stradbroke Season, AFL Brisbane Lions vice-captain Josh Dunkley and Super Netball Queensland Firebirds star Tippah Dwan.
“Both are champions in their respective sporting fields, and we look forward to seeing them trackside during the coming weeks,” Mr Partridge said.
“We are excited to be delivering world-class racing here in Brisbane over The Star Stradbroke Season and to promote our city as a desired destination. “The heritage surrounds of our two racetracks provide the ultimate backdrop for racing fans to have a more intimate experience than at other major racecourses around Australia.
“We look forward to welcoming both Queensland locals and interstate visitors to feel closer to champions, to witness the best horses, trainers, and jockeys from around Australasia compete, and to also experience the finest in trackside hospitality.”
Today’s launch of The Star Stradbroke Season was held in conjunction with the launch of the 2024 Queensland Racing Carnival.
Racing Queensland Chief Executive Officer Jason Scott said The Star Stradbroke Season “remains the centrepiece” of the Queensland Racing Carnival, which this year incorporates 11 meetings.
“The Queensland Racing Carnival at its core is about championing everything that is great about racing in South-East Queensland,” Mr Scott said.
“This is our most lucrative and innovative Carnival yet, with more than $28 million in prizemoney up for grabs, headlined by nine million-dollar races and 55 black-type features.”
For more details about The Star Stradbroke Season visit www.brc.com.au and for the Queensland Racing Carnival www.racingqueensland.com.au