General News
15 August, 2025
Prize money spike for weekend’s Collie Cup
The past two Collie Cup winners have made long treks from Armidale to take home the spoils and Gilgandra Jockey Club (GJC) president Jason Tate is hoping increased prize money for this weekend’s feature on the Gilgandra card means trainers will be travelling significant distances to compete again.
By Dallas Reeves
As at last week, the GJC meeting on August 16 at Gilgandra racecourse was a six-race card with the Collie Cup (1280m) being worth $20,000 in prize money.
The GJC committee recently decided to bump prize money up for the Collie Cup and next February’s Tooraweenah Cup to $20,000 (from $16,000) as feature races.
“The idea when we put that prize money up, was to get a better quality field,” Tate said.
There will be a minimum of $100,000 across Saturday’s card, with a minimum six races on the program. All other races on the day will be worth $16,000.
Last year’s Collie Cup was held on the first Saturday in August, and Toulon Factor was the winner of the feature at Gilgandra as a $5.50 chance.
Jumping from barrier four, Toulon Factor settled mid-field on the fence before making a move at the home turn and flying down to outside to just pip Foreign Brother ($3.70).
It was the eighth win in a 69-race career and trainer Jane Clement travelled from Armidale to take out the cup with then eight-year-old (now nine-year-old) gelding.
Clement also won the Collie Cup in 2023 with the now-retired Sparks, who also won nine races and came home powerfully to win at Gilgandra.
Local trainer Kieren Hazelton, and Dubbo trainers Clint Lundholm, Connie Greig, Brett Robb, and other trainers from the western and central districts areas are expected to attend.
Tate is hoping the prize money spike for the feature will attract other north west trainers like Clement.
“Hopefully we might attract a few trainers from further afar … time will tell.”
A Dubbo band Under The Radar is booked to play from around race three onwards until around an hour after the final race. Festivities will then move to the Gilgandra Services Club.
After the Collie Cup meeting, Gilgandra Jockey Club will next race in late December and early January for the popular New Year’s Carnival. The Tooraweenah Cup follows in February 2026.
Tate said he and the GJC are working with Racing NSW to fill the six-month gap between the Tooraweenah and Collie Cups.
“Five meetings a year would be perfect,” he said.
Gilgandra Jockey Club is also celebrating its 125th year of racing this year.
Tate said that history proves people that attend with enjoy a great race day with the
“We’ve been around a long time, we always put on a good show,” Tate said.
“If people want to come and see a great day of racing, please attend.”
