Sport
21 November, 2025
Christmas and New Year racedays headline Stawell’s return to the track
Stawell Racing Club are set to host two huge racedays over the Christmas and New Year period, the first meetings on course since April this year.
Gift Hotel Christmas Party Raceday, to be held at Stawell Racecourse on Saturday 13 December, is a staple of the region’s calendar. A festive event designed for groups to enjoy end of year celebrations, perfect for work and family Christmas parties, with plenty of activities and entertainment on course, a strong crowd is expected to bask in the warm weather and enjoy a day of relaxed country racing that’s as real as it gets.
General admission tickets are available for $15 on course, with a host of Christmas-themed celebrations and initiatives on offer to ensure everyone is entertained.
The ‘Mistletoe Mile Mini Marquee’ is shaping up as the place to be at Gift Hotel Christmas Party Race Day, an all-inclusive finger-food and drinks package available for $155 per person.
The ‘Jingle Spot Umbrella Enclosure’ is situated on the mound just before the Winning Post on course is basked in country sunshine but with enough shade to keep your group comfortable.
An ‘umbrella package’ keeps you close to the action and live entertainment at an affordable price.
With hospitality options catering for all budgets and groups of racegoers, there’s something for everyone to kick back, relax and soak in the festive feel with some quality action on the racetrack.
The party doesn’t stop there, with Halls Gap Cup Day to be celebrated on Sunday, January 4th. A range of family-friendly activities will ensure locals and holiday-makers bringing in the new year celebrations will enjoy a wonderful day out at the races.
Despite some challenges throughout the year, racing in Stawell has had much to celebrate in 2025.
Local trainer, Andrew Bobbin, head of Grampians Racing, enjoyed the finest moments of his training career when champion jumper, Duke Of Bedford, took out the famed Brierly Steeplechase and Grand Annual double at the Warrnambool May Carnival, the highest feat in jumps racing nationally.
“What an honour it was to win the famed duo at the ‘Bool. That’s as big as it gets in the jumps game. It’s a credit our team here at Grampians Racing, they love their racing and to share in the success was incredibly satisfying”, said Bobbin, still beaming when recalling the feats from the May Carnival at Warrnambool.
18-year-old apprentice jockey, Jade Smith, daughter of Stawell-based trainer and barrier attendant, Dane Smith, capped a memorable debut in the saddle when winning the Sheep Hills Cup at Warracknabeal in her first race ride back in August. Still attending year 12 at high school, Jade Smith has subsequently ridden another six winners in her short-time as a jockey with a promising future ahead.
“What a fairytale, to win aboard dad’s horse (Spylark) in the feature event of the day, and in my first ever race ride”, said a jubilant Smith after winning on debut.
The always popular Linda Meech celebrated a host of milestones throughout the past season, claiming a fifth Country Racing Victoria Jockey of the Year title, after riding 90 winners throughout the 2024-25 racing season throughout the state.
The first mum to win the CRV Jockey of the Year title, Meech also notched up her 2000th career winner in September, highlighting her excellence and longevity in the saddle, more than 25 years after riding her first winner. She also saluted in four country cups last season, two of which were in the space of a week aboard CRV Horse of the Year runner-up Riot And Rose (Wodonga Cup and Werribee Cup).
After undergoing a range of track upgrades in the off-season, Grampians Racing trainer, Andrew Bobbin, is eagerly anticipating Stawell’s return to the races.
“The track is in great order, the new track manager has done a terrific job. The club sought the right guidance, we got people like Liam O’Keeffe (Track Manager at Flemington) to come in and provide the correct feedback and recommendations. I’ve been based here for five years now, and this is honestly the best the track has looked,” Bobbin said.
“It’ll be wonderful to get back racing at Stawell. These two meetings over Christmas and New Year are brilliant, a time for everyone to get together and celebrate. If you’re looking for somewhere to host your work or social Christmas parties, look no further. It’s a ripper day on course. It’s nice and easy and always good fun.
“There’s been a few hiccups along the way, with (Stawell) Cup Day, but they’re well and truly rectified. It’ll be great for the region to see people show up in their droves at such a social time of year. Bring your family, round up your mates, and support our local community for what will no doubt be a wonderful few days back at Stawell Racecourse”.
With plenty of support from local sponsors throwing their weight behind the club and their respective race days, as well as support from the Victorian Government, the Stawell Racing Club expect terrific crowds to pile through the turnstiles and enjoy the celebrations on course.
For tickets and more information about Gift Hotel Christmas Race Day (Saturday 13 December), or Lakeside Tourist Park Halls Gap Cup Day (Sunday 4 January), visit country.racing.com.
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