General News
29 February, 2024
Attendance surge at Farmers Day Out races
PERFECT conditions complimented a rare day off for farmers and a charity auction at one of the most successful days yet for the Farmers Day Out races.
Terang and District Racing Club president Shane Scally lauded the success of the day due to a large turnout as the community embraced the burgeoning event.
“It was very successful day, and there was probably a larger crowd than we expected,” he said.
“It was good, the racing was good and the farmer’s day component of the day went very well.
“Overall, it was quite a success.”
The day involved presentations from guest speakers, including famed trainer Dan O’Sullivan, and a number of agricultural businesses on hand to offer displays, ideas and advice on all things farming.
“Dan is a leading horse trainer in Ballarat but he comes from Glenormiston, so it’s always good to have someone local,” Mr Scally said.
One of the highlights of the day was the traditional auction for a worthy cause, which this year was a five per cent share in a two-year-old colt by So You Think and Maggie’s Girl, which will be trained by Mr O’Sullivan.
All proceeds from the auction were donated to the CJD Foundation in a bid to support those battling Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease; a rare brain disorder which leads to dementia.
“The gentleman who donated the five per cent of the horse to be auctioned was David Brown from Melbourne, and he was also a guest speaker who spoke about the horse before the auction,” Mr Scally said.
“We also had a number of speakers who have been impacted by CJD, who shared their experiences to provide a bit more background for why this cause was so important.
“The auction went very well with the five per cent ownership being sold to a local purchaser for $7750.
“It’s quite good, and we enjoy helping to raise money for such a vital cause.”
At the heart of the day, however, remains a desire to show support for those working in the agricultural industry.
The Farmers Day Out races invites farmers to take some time off the farm and enjoy racing, a free barbecue and, above all, a sense of community.
“It’s nice to give farmers a day off as well as agricultural businesses and suppliers a chance to meet up with clients in a more relaxed setting,” Mr Scally said.
“There were quite a few businesses who took advantage of that opportunity.”
The Terang and District Racing Club hopes to see the Farmers Day Out races grow from strength-to-strength, with the occasion emerging as a community favourite in recent years.
“It started out on a fairly small scale but as it’s gone on, it’s being embraced more and more by both the farming community and the business community,” Mr Scally said.
“What’s also probably had an impact is there is no Sungold Field Days anymore.
“The opportunity for agricultural businesses and farmers to meet up in this sort of setting, there aren’t many of them left, and that’s one of the reasons we see an opportunity to grow it.”
The Terang and District Racing Club will host its next feature day on March 22 when the Terang Jumps Day races in to town.
