Best of the bush on show for Country Cups Challenge

All roads lead to Doomben as the Country Cups Challenge commences this weekend.

Now in its ninth year, the Country Cups Challenge will commence with a heat in Atherton on Saturday, September 19, before a trio of heats in Longreach, Mount Isa and Dawson on Saturday, September 26.

A further 12 heats will take place across regional Queensland over the following two months.

The series will culminate with a $200,000 Final as a part of the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival, on Saturday, December 5 at Doomben – which also features the Group 3 George Moore Stakes.

At the same time, heats for the Country Stampede will also be held across regional Queensland, starting at Ewan Amateur Turf Club on Friday, September 25.

Country trainers and horses will battle it out across 16 heats in total before the $105,000 Country Stampede Final at Doomben on December 5.

Acting Racing Queensland CEO Lachlan Murray said the Country Cups Challenge and Country Stampede were both exciting initiatives for the very best horses in country racing to battle it out on a metropolitan raceday.

“Country racing is the lifeblood of so many regional communities across the state, bringing participants together from all corners of Queensland,” Mr Murray said.

“More than half of the industry’s $2.5 billion in economic contribution directly benefits the regions.

“The Country Cups Challenge and Country Stampede gives our country racing participants a unique opportunity to compete for feature level prize money as part of the exciting Queensland Summer Racing Carnival.

“I want to wish good luck to all trainers, jockeys and horses over what should be an exciting few months of country racing ahead of what should be a breathtaking finale at Doomben in December."

Trainer Bevan Johnson and jockey Tyler Schiller combined to take home the Country Cups Challenge in 2025 with Caffrey.

In last year’s Country Stampede Final, it was Smiling Zac who took the crown for trainer Mark Currie and jockey Angela Jones.

Click here for more information on the Country Cups Challenge and Country Stampede.