Fashions on the Field competitors at Cannon Park on Saturday (Paul Furse, Frontrow Foto)

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On and off the track, there were plenty of winners at this year’s 64th annual Cairns Amateurs Carnival.

Trainer Fred Wieland got his first Cairns Amateurs Cup win, with jockey Jason Taylor riding Star Status to win the $150,000 race on Saturday.

A total of 16 races were run over the two-day Carnival, with $642,000 in prize money up for grabs.

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Fashions on the Field generated its share of winners, with 143 competitors taking to the Cannon Park catwalk vying for a share of $30,000 worth of prizes.

People travelled from New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and New Zealand to compete.

Carnival President, David Goodman, said his team put on a great program of popular events.

“The Carnival was well subscribed across the board with both high tea and ball events a sell-out, and a boost in numbers through the gate across both days.

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“This year’s fundraising partner, Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation,  benefited greatly from efforts over the weekend, including more than $15,000 raised in raffles, $6000 in auction items.

“The return to spring racing and the Cairns Amateurs has been embraced by Far North Queenslanders, along with large numbers of interstate visitors.

“It proves the event’s intergenerational appeal is at an all-time high.

“We were also pleased to host a group from New Zealand, and this is a market we are keen to develop, a new trans-Tasman partnership that leverages from the popularity and power of Fashions on the Field.”

The Cairns Amateurs Carnival was first held in September 1959, after Sir Sydney Williams and Les Gallagher formed the Far North Queensland Amateur Turf Club earlier that year.

Organisers were hoping to start a coastal version of the historic Oak Park races as a way to bring city and country people together.

As the name suggests, jockeys were amateur riders and came mainly from cattle stations inland.

Professional riders did not compete until many years later, when race regulations changed.

The 65th Cairns Amateurs Carnival will take place on 7-9 September 2023.

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Main points

  • 16 races over two days with $642,000 in prizes
  • More than $20,000 so far for charity and still counting
  • Amateurs will be 7-9 September 2023
“Cairns Amateurs Carnival is very special and is an iconic event that showcases Far North Queensland’s spirited trifecta of fun, fashion and racing.
David Goodman
Amateurs Carnival president