IT IS TIME TO HEAD TO GRAFTON FOR THE JULY RACING CARNIVAL YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, July 10, 2025

All roads will soon lead to the NSW mid north coast town of Grafton with their annual XXXX July Racing Carnival really kicking in gear on Sunday 13 July … the forerunner to a week of superb country racing.

Grafton Toyota South Grafton Cup is the feature race on Sunday 13 July. This event has been a real innovation for the Clarence River Jockey Club (CRJC) since they have been able to secure the race as a qualifying race for the $2 million Big Dance which is run each year at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day.

Trainers from all around NSW and QLD target this race each year to attempt to get their confirmed entry into this race and the opportunity to snare a share of some of the amazing prize money that is offered by NSW Racing.

Matthew Dunn has won the past two editions of this race with Cepheus and with his stable firing in recent weeks I am certain that he will be well represented this year.

The second day of the main week of the Carnival is Wednesday 16 July with the time-honoured Grafton District Services Club Ramornie Handicap over 1200 metres taking pride of place. The race has been dominated by the Peter Snowden Racing team in recent years with the Snowden stable winning three of the past five editions of the Ramornie. Signore Fox (2020), Ranges (2022) who was ridden by Group 1 winning jockey Tommy Sherry and then in 2024 the stable won the race with Ka Bling who was ridden by Andrew Adkins.

Then, on Thursday 17 July, The Westlawn Finance Grafton Cup over 2350 metres is the feature race. In recent years stables from Sydney and Melbourne have taken home the spoils – most of these winners have dominated and led throughout.

Last year Blake Shinn rode the Anthony & Sam Freedman trained Deny Knowledge to the lead and dominated in front. Before that Rachel King dominated the race with consecutive wins aboard Arapaho (2022) trained by Bjorn Baker and then Zoumon (2023) trained by Adrian Bott & Gai Waterhouse. This stable has had the most success in recent years, posting four winners since 2014.

The final day of the Carnival is the Maclean Bowling Club Maclean Cup over 1400 metres.

The Carnival is not without some other activities, well worth noting.

Saturday 12 July – Breakfast at the track at 7am.

Saturday 12 July – South Grafton Cup Calcutta – held at the South Grafton Ex-Services Club at 7.30pm.

Monday 14 July – The barrier draw luncheon held at the Grafton District Services Club (GDSC) featuring the barrier draws for the Ramornie and the Grafton Cup. Special guest speakers are Jim Cassidy and Glenn Munsie. Commences at 11am.

Tuesday 15 July – The annual Ramornie Calcutta. Will be held at the Grafton District Services Club at 7pm.

Wednesday 16 July – The annual Grafton Cup Calcutta. Will be held at the Grafton District Services Club at 7pm.

Saturday 19 July – The annual Maclean Cup Calcutta. It is being held at the Maclean Bowling Club commencing at 7pm.

In addition, there are fashions on the field – track events – amazing food and good entertainment and amazing country racing.

I have been coming to Grafton for over 30 years – I just love the atmosphere, the true warm hospitality from the locals and catching up with friends who make the pilgrimage to Grafton each July!

You should get there if you can!

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