Tri-code support for Men Matter Weekend

The 2026 Men Matter Raceday will continue to shine a light on men’s mental health, with several new initiatives unveiled this morning.

Now in its sixth year, the annual Men Matter Raceday at the Gold Coast Turf Club has become a powerful initiative dedicated to raising awareness and vital funds for men's health, with more than $500,000 raised for men’s health charities to date.

For the first time, the concept will expand thanks to the support of Racing Queensland through the Men Matter Weekend, that will run from October 23-25 – headlined by the annual Men Matter Raceday on the Gold Coast on October 24.

Each of the three racing codes will be involved in 2026, including meetings at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club, Brisbane Racing Club and Mackay Turf Club alongside the Rockhampton Greyhounds and Redcliffe Harness Racing Club.  

Select meetings will also be supported by clubs’ Wagering Service Provider major sponsors, including TAB, Ladbrokes and PonyBet.

At each of the six race meetings, a donation will be made associated with the animal sporting the #7 saddlecloth or rug, supported by Racing Queensland and the WSPs.

A $500 donation will be matched for first place, whilst $250 and $100 will be matched for second and third respectively. Any unplaced #7 runner will have a $50 donation matched by RQ and the WSP.

“The Gold Coast Turf Club’s Men Matter Raceday has established itself as a vital fundraiser for men’s mental health support and we are proud to be involved in its expansion in 2026,” RQ Chairman Matt McGrath said.

“The number seven will play a key role in this year’s fundraising efforts. Sadly, seven Australian men take their own life each day whilst the seven rug in greyhound racing being the colour black symbolises the black dog and its association with mental health.

“It’s fantastic to see clubs from across the three codes come together to support this amazing initiative, alongside their wagering partners who have committed to matching every donation across the weekend.”

Funds raised through RQ’s tri-code initiative will support LIVIN, a non-profit mental health organisation founded in 2013, aspiring to create a future where suicide is no longer the number one killer of young Australians.

The organisation has partnered with the raceday since its inaugural running.

While the expanded Men Matter Weekend will shine a spotlight on men’s mental health, the Gold Coast’s flagship Men Matter Raceday will continue its broader focus on men’s physical and mental health.

First held in 2021, the raceday aims to raise awareness, educate and fundraise for men’s health charities, with its fundraising efforts this year directly benefiting LIVIN, the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and Find Ya Feet.

For GCTC Chairman Brett Cook, personal experiences fuelled his passion for growing the event and its impact within the community.

“There is still a stigma around men seeking medical help, particularly for mental health and prostate cancer. Men do not talk about these issues enough or see their doctors for checks,” Mr Cook said.

“Both of my grandfathers had prostate cancer. One was diagnosed too late and died in his mid-60s; the other was diagnosed early and lived to 97. I also faced a serious health issue recently and underwent successful major surgery this year.

“Without early detection, the outcome could have been catastrophic. Fortunately, I followed my own advice and had additional checks readily available to men. A serious problem was found and treated early. These options need greater awareness, and more men need to use them.

“Early detection and intervention can make a life-changing difference. The ‘I’ll be right’ attitude simply must go.

“As a community club, we have a responsibility to use our platform for positive change. If we encourage even one person to seek help, get a health check or start a conversation, we will have made a difference.”

Bespoke saddlecloths will feature throughout the weekend to help raise awareness of the Men Matter partnership.

Creative will also be produced for inclusion in racebooks, virtual signage, on course digital screens and social media.

“TAB is proud to support this key fundraiser. We know men need to talk about their health more and the Men Matter Raceday has started so many conversations that wouldn’t have happened without it," TAB Chief Wagering Officer Michael Fitzsimons said.

“We take our responsibility at TAB to invest in the industry seriously and supporting events like this at the Gold Coast is an important part of that.”

Click here for more information on Men Matter Weekend.