Stradbroke Season 2023
Brisbane’s premier Racing Carnival, The Star Stradbroke Season is back for 2023, hosted by the Brisbane Racing Club.
The 2023 season runs over six racedays and will see the best trainers and jockeys from Australia and New Zealand competing for a record-breaking prize pool of more than $20million, highlighted by 37 black type races, including seven at Group 1 level.
Sky Racing Guineas Day marks the start of Queensland’s richest thoroughbred racing event, held at Eagle Farm Racecourse with a quality card that features the Group 2 $350,000 Queensland Guineas for three-year olds and the $300,000 weight-for-age Victory Stakes.
The Guineas has a stellar honour roll, with recent winners including Private Eye (Epsom Handicap, runner-up The Everest) and Kolding (Epsom Handicap, Golden Eagle) continuing that proud tradition. The Victory marks the start of the BRC’s famous sprint series and has an equally impressive list of winners, headed in modern times by the dual-winning local hero Buffering.
Enjoy the diversity of hospitality options offered in the elegantly appointed spaces throughout the heritage-listed racecourse, from lawn picnics to fine dining, while you study the form and catch all the dynamic action on the track.
Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 is the second of the key racing days in the Stradbroke Season, held at Doomben Racecourse.
The 10,000 is always one of Queensland’s highest-rated races and this year carries elevatyed prizemoney of $1.5 million. More recently it has become a good grounding for the world’s richest turf race, The Everest, therefore attracting Australia’s elite sprinters every year. The 10,000 card also includes the important Aquis Stallions Sires Produce and Ladbrokes J.J. Atkins lead-up, the Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic for two-year-olds, and the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate, a key reference for the Ladbrokes Queensland Derby a fortnight later.
Soak up the atmosphere and savour the fine food, wine and entertainment packages available to be enjoyed in Doomben’s grandstand terraces, suites, and marquees.
XXXX Doomben Cup, the third meeting of the premier racing event, is contested by some of Australasia’s best middle-distance weight-for-age horses. Zaaki made the race his own two years ago before going on to amass prize money of $9.7 million in the next 18 months! Last year, however, saw a major boil-over when Zaaki was rolled by the Team Snowden-trained import Huetor. The XXXX Doomben Cup is one of seven black type events run on this prestigious day of racing.
Racegoers will be spoilt for culinary and hospitality choice, with options ranging from seafood and tapas platters served on the public lawn to meaty bites available in The Pavilion beside the parade ring and delicious buffet dining with a top track view in the 10,000 Room.
Ladbrokes Derby Day boasts two Group 1 $1 million races this year: the signature Ladbrokes Queensland Derby and Kingsford-Smith Cup, which is the second leg of Queensland’s Group 1 sprint Triple Crown. The elevation of the Kingsford-Smith Cup to seven figures means The Star Stradbroke Season now comprises eight races valued at $1 million or more in racing prize money. The Group 2 $1 million Aquis Stallions Sires Produce Stakes is also run on this day, while a ticket into The Star Stradbroke Handicap is on offer for the winner of the Group 3 Fred Best Classic.
The fashion theme for the day is classic Derby Day ‘black and white’, with patrons encouraged to express their creativity and enter the first of the season’s Fashions on the Field competitions.
Rounding out an exceptional Ladbrokes Derby Day experience is a varied range of hospitality functions at which you can relax, wine and dine in style, yet not miss a moment of the dynamic contests on the track.
Channel 7 Oaks Day, the penultimate day of The Star Stradbroke Season at Eagle Farm, is a sophisticated celebration of ladies in racing, both on and off the track.
The day comprises six stakes races, in addition to the $500,000 Magic Millions National Classic for fillies and mares, run over 1600m.
When it comes to racing attire today, it’s all about feminine glamour, grace and elegance, with an opportunity to impress in the Fashions on the Field Competition and take home prizing as best dressed. This year there is also a new competition category - Emerging Designer presented by TAFE Qld.
On the food and beverage menus is something for every taste and budget, from cocktail bites in the Society Rooftop to premium dining served at a private grandstand perch.
The Star Stradbroke Day draws the season to a memorable season draws end with a spectacular grand finale.
This jewel in the season’s crown shines even brighter this year, thanks to prizemoney doubled to $3 million for the coveted Group 1 The Star Stradbroke Handicap and total value across the nine-race card of nearly $6.6 million.
As benefits such a prestigious and iconic raceday are the thoughtfully curated trackside hospitality options, ranging from picnics and platters to be enjoyed on Eagle Farm’s manicured lawns to bespoke menus designed for elegantly decorated function rooms and marquees.
The fashion theme is the Stradbroke signature of ‘black and white with a touch of red’ and there are luxe prizes to be won by the best-dressed in the final Fashions on the Field competition for the season.
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