Eagle Farm Marks 160 Years with a Festival of Racing
There will be more than the sound of hooves echoing across Eagle Farm on Saturday — there will be history, memory, and a deep sense of occasion. The Brisbane Racing Club’s flagship course is poised to celebrate 160 years of racing on August 30, 2025, a milestone that ties together generations of horsemen, jockeys, and racegoers.
It is a venue that once welcomed Prince Edward in 1921 and later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1927. It is also the ground that went silent during the Second World War, repurposed for US troops before resuming racing to an extraordinary crowd of 45,000 in May 1946. This week, it prepares for another chapter — a nine-race card filled with quality runners and a celebration that is expected to draw fans from across Australia.
The opening contests
Racing begins at 11:53 am with the Become A BRC Member BM70 over 1000 metres, carrying a purse of $75,000. Flaming Conquest (J: Corey Sutherland) heads a lively field that also features Xpresso (J: Cody Collis), I Am Voodoo (J: Jasper Franklin), and Port Erin (J: Jag Guthmann-Chester), among others.
The staying test comes early in the day with the Gibson BM90 Handicap at 12:28 pm, stretching 2200 metres for $85,000. Hype (J: Ryan Maloney), The Right Way (J: Emily Lang), and Tapildoodledo (J: Ben Thompson) lead a seasoned group of contenders.
At 1:03 pm, the Southern Pacific Sands BM70 Handicap over 1800 metres promises depth, with Cavalry Man (J: Emily Lang), Astra Star (J: Jasper Franklin), and El Pensador (J: Damien Thornton) among the runners.
The fourth race, a 1400-metre handicap for three-year-olds at 1:38 pm, offers another look at emerging talent such as Whispering Rogue (J: Martin Harley) and Benefitsofmine (J: Cody Collis).
Afternoon highlights
The Spring Carnival Book Now Class 6 Handicap (2:13 pm, 1600 metres) brings names like Cunnamulla Fella (J: Corey Sutherland), Battleton (J: Cejay Graham), and Sporting Chance (J: Taylor Marshall) into contention.
Then at 2:48 pm, the U&U Recruitment BM85 Handicap over 1200 metres features a sharp sprinting field, including Pocketing (J: Andrew Mallyon), Warby (J: Ryan Maloney), and Atmosphere (J: Cejay Graham).
The feature event is fittingly titled the Celebrating 160 Years of Eagle Farm Open Handicap (3:23 pm, 1400 metres, $85,000). Ducasse (J: Martin Harley), Kronenbourg (J: Ryan Maloney), and Amur (J: Ben Thompson) will be among the leading hopes in a race that captures the spirit of the anniversary.
The penultimate contest, a BM78 Handicap at 4:02 pm, features Dream Hour (J: Andrew Mallyon), Keitel (J: Ryan Maloney), and Redzoust (J: Cejay Graham).
Closing the day at 4:38 pm is the Quick Multi Class 4 Handicap (1200 metres), where Shalailed (J: Emily Lang), Money Team (J: Ryan Maloney), and Show Me Mercy (J: Ben Thompson) will bring the curtain down on a memorable programme.
A legacy reaffirmed
From wartime silence to royal visits and record crowds, Eagle Farm has long been more than just a racetrack. This 160-year milestone brings with it not only high-quality racing but also a chance to celebrate the enduring bond between Queensland’s sporting culture and its community. Saturday’s card, with its nine diverse contests, will remind everyone why Eagle Farm remains a cornerstone of Australian horse racing history.
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