Western Australia’s Country Cups circuit has once again demonstrated its vital social and economic role, with Racing and Wagering WA chair Karen Farley hailing the success of the recent TABtouch Pinjarra Cup.
With around 4,000 racegoers descending on the scenic Pinjarra Park track, the event marked a thrilling double for the club, following a similarly large turnout for the Magic Millions Raceday at the same venue last month.
“Regional racing is a crucial part of WA—not just economically, but socially as well, and the Pinjarra Cup was a perfect example of that,” Farley said.
“The Pinjarra Race Club, like so many across WA, serves as a key gathering place for the community, offering an outstanding day of racing. Seeing thousands of people enjoying themselves at the track highlights what makes this sport so special and reinforces why we do what we do.”
Race clubs play a fundamental role in regional communities, with WA’s 49 race clubs collectively contributing to over 10,000 jobs within the industry.
The Peel region’s premier racing event lived up to expectations, delivering thrilling on-track action that matched the vibrant atmosphere.
In a dramatic finish, the Steve Wolfe-trained Currumundi, ridden by Shaun “Shooter” McGruddy, powered home on the outside to deny Captain Pluto a coveted Bunbury-Pinjarra Cup double for jockey Willie Pike and the Grant & Alana Williams stable. The victory followed just a week after Wolfe and McGruddy combined to win the Bluff Knoll slot race in Albany with TABtouch’s $5 million Kia Quokka contender, Rope Them In.
Pinjarra Race Club chairman Phil Ibbotson emphasized the significance of these major race days for the town and broader community.
“The Cup meeting in Pinjarra, like in many regional towns, is the biggest social event of the year,” Ibbotson said.
“Having Karen Farley on course was fantastic. We have several development projects in the pipeline, so it was valuable for her to gain firsthand insight into our facilities.”
While Pinjarra Park was in pristine condition for race day, Farley noted the need for improvements in the jockey facilities and medical rooms, reinforcing the importance of the Cook Government’s recent $25 million commitment to WA’s regional racing infrastructure.
“The Royalties for Regional Racing Infrastructure fund has come at a critical time and will provide essential upgrades for clubs, including Pinjarra,” she said.
“Seeing the condition of the female jockeys’ rooms on race day underscored the necessity of these upgrades—especially in a sport where men and women compete on equal terms.”
The Country Cups series now shifts to the Great Northern region, where the annual TABtouch Geraldton Gold Cup is set to take place this Sunday.
