By Colin MacGillivray

Three Wimmera racing clubs are among the finalists for the Community Club of the Year prize at next month’s Country Racing Victoria, CRV, Awards.

The Community Club of the Year goes to a club with six or fewer race meetings on its calendar deemed by judges to have achieved the best performance during the 2024-25 racing season. 

The winning club will receive $20,000 from CRV.

Among the finalists for the award are Horsham and District Racing Club, Ararat Turf Club and Donald and District Racing Club.

Other contenders include Casterton and Mortlake racing clubs.

Horsham and District Racing Club president Chris ‘Pop’ Murray said the club’s nomination represented ‘reward for effort’.

“There’s 15 of us on the committee and we all put in,” he said.

“We’ve upped our crowd numbers this year. We had the biggest crowd uptick in country Victoria for the Horsham Cup and our Santa Day races.

“We were up by 33 per cent on previous years, and I think it’s just because we’re really having a go.”

Mr Murray said the club strove to offer attractions that extended beyond racing.

“We’re trying to get more people in and achieve a better experience for them,” he said.

“We’re trying to give them something different and not just make it all about racing. 

“We want them to have a good experience.

“We have live music, food, kids’ stuff – there’s something for everyone.”

Mr Murray praised the work of the committee and said the club, if it claimed the $20,000 prize, would reinvest the winnings.

“The committee has put in a lot of hard work. We’ve got new betting rings now and we’re always putting in for funding for different ideas and projects. We’re just having a crack I suppose,” he said.

“We’re trying to build a new amenities block for the punters, so if we won the $20,000 it’d probably go towards that.

“We’d just encourage people to keep getting along to the club and keep supporting it.”

Ararat Turf Club chairman Adam Atchison thanked the local community for helping the club to win recognition as one of country Victoria’s best.

“This recognition is a reflection of the tireless dedication of our volunteers, the support of our local community, and our commitment to delivering inclusive, welcoming, and memorable race days,” he said.

“It’s an honour to stand alongside other great clubs who share the same passion for regional country racing.”

Donald and District Racing Club chairman Jack Alexander said all the nominees had played a part in improving country racing.

“This nomination reflects the dedication of our committee, volunteers, participants, and the wider Donald community who continue to support and contribute to the success of our race days and community initiatives,” he said.

The winner of the Community Club of the Year award, as well as the prize for Club of the Year for clubs with seven or more race meetings on their calendar, will be announced at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on August 23.

The entire July 30, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire July 30, 2025 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!