New Era for NQ Racing Cairns Super Carnival

North Queensland racing will undergo a major transformation in 2025 with the introduction of the Cairns Super Carnival. The nine-day event will unite two traditions in racing: the Cairns Amateurs and Cairns Cup-from one grand celebration. Friday, August 15, starts the event opening and will end on Saturday, August 23, at Cannon Park with good racing and a kind of social gathering calendar.

The organizers intend to create a big North Queensland racing combined experience by merging the events. In 2024, under the auspices of the Cairns Jockey Club, celebrations will be in place for the festival’s 114th Cairns Cup, which ranks among the oldest racing festivals on the Australian continent.

Cairns Jockey Club president Tom Hedley spoke about the effort involved in bringing this event to life.

“There has been a lot of collaboration with Queensland racing over the past couple of months to get to this stage,” Hedley said.

“I’m excited for this year’s carnival and what we have planned is truly extraordinary. Combining these two iconic events allows us to bring more attention to racing in the region and showcase the best of North Queensland racing on a grand scale.”

The race is but one part of an event that pays homage to the heritage and strong community spirit of North Queensland racing. The organizers are hoping to attract vast numbers of local spectators and visitors from all corners of Australia.

The Cairns Super Carnival will include three major race days, each offering a competitive lineup of races and a strong mix of contenders.

The Cairns Super Carnival will feature race a thrilling lineup of races. On Saturday, August 16, Cairns Amateurs Race Day will kick off with a nine-race program, set to be nationally broadcast, showcasing exciting feature races like the Cairns Amateur Cup, Cairns Amateur Sprint, Patron Cup, Governor’s Trophy, and Daintree Guineas. Following this, Ladbrokes Newmarket Day on Friday, August 22, will present an eight-race program, featuring top jockeys and horses. The carnival will culminate on Saturday, August 23, with the grand finale, Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup Day. This day will include another nine-race program, drawing large crowds and offering highly competitive racing.

The national spotlight on Cairns will bring high-profile trainers, jockeys, and industry professionals, reinforcing its place on the Australian racing calendar.

The Cairns Super Carnival is more than a racing event it includes a series of social functions designed to entertain guests and bring people together.

Some events that include the Cairns Super Carnival will kick off with the Super Carnival Launch Event, an official opening designed to welcome guests and set the tone for the festivities ahead. One of the key moments of the event is the Cairns Cup Live Barrier Draw, where the final race placements are decided, building excitement for the upcoming races. Throughout the carnival, the High Tea Party will offer an elegant gathering of fashion, food, and entertainment to complement the proceedings with a bit of sophistication. Another event on the highlights is the Ladbrokes Sportsman Lunch & Calcutta, an unmissable affair for anyone who thrives on racing, where casual talking about racing and betting will take place, making it a wonderful setting for all those who love the sport.

With final preparations underway, tickets will be available in the coming weeks. The event is expected to bring together horse racing, entertainment, and hospitality in a way that highlights the strengths of North Queensland racing.

By combining long-standing traditions with a fresh approach, the Cairns Super Carnival is set to be a key highlight of the 2025 racing season, attracting both dedicated racegoers and those looking for a new experience.