2025/26 Ladbrokes Summer Racing Festival Kicks Off with Big Expectations
The Ladbrokes Summer Racing Festival has officially begun, bringing an exciting array of racing events to Tasmania, with the 2025/26 season promising to be one for the books. One of the standout highlights of the festival will be the prestigious Devonport Cup, where renowned Tasmanian jockey Craig Newitt is set to chase his 10th victory in the race. Scheduled for January 7, 2026, the event will be a significant milestone in Newitt’s illustrious career. Known for his deep connection to Tasmania, Newitt shared his excitement about returning to his roots for the coming months, saying, “I have always been taught never to forget where you come from. I love coming back to Tassie.”
Newitt’s remarkable journey in the Devonport Cup includes back-to-back wins in 2022 and 2023 with Ashy Boy, trained by Glenn Stevenson. His first win in the event dates back to 2002, and he has been planning for this race well in advance each year. The Devonport Cup has become a personal goal, and Newitt is hopeful that his horse choices this year will land him another victory.
Also Read:The Ladbrokes Summer Racing Festival, which began on November 21 in Launceston, promises an exhilarating calendar of events, culminating with the Group 1 Ladbrokes Tasmania Cup in Hobart on February 28, 2026. Key highlights throughout the festival include the Hobart and Launceston Cups, both worth $250,000, along with prestigious greyhound races such as The Chase and the Ladbrokes Hobart Thousand, and exciting harness racing events like the Golden Apple and the Devonport Cup.
Tasracing CEO Andrew Jenkins emphasized the importance of presenting the festival as a statewide initiative, not only through major city events but also with smaller country race days in towns like Longford, St Marys, and Burnie. These country race days proved to be incredibly popular last year, with over 10,000 attendees, showcasing the widespread appeal of the festival.
Ladbrokes, a key sponsor of the event, remains deeply committed to the development of Tasmanian racing. Andrew Vouris, CEO of Entain Australia, stated, “Our investment in Tasmanian racing is not just about putting our name on a race. It’s about helping build a product that engages punters, supports participants, and showcases the very best of Tasmanian racing.” The festival will also feature important industry events such as the harness yearling sale on February 14 and the Magic Millions yearling sale on February 23, both held at Quercus Park in Carrick.
In a community-focused initiative, the Ladbrokes Community Sports Series will distribute around $80,000 to local sporting and community clubs. Over 150 clubs have already expressed interest in participating, with the opportunity to have a horse running in their name on the main thoroughbred cup days.
With such a packed lineup, the 2025/26 Ladbrokes Summer Racing Festival is set to bring an unforgettable season of racing, community involvement, and thrilling victories for fans and participants alike.
Read More:
0 Comments