With three generations of Stokes Racing in attendance today, SA thoroughbred Neodium took out a second consecutive 1,600m TAB Birdsville Cup win - storming across the finish line on the second and final day of racing for the 142nd Birdsville Races.
Neodium’s win gave Birdsville Race Club stalwart and President David Brook a second consecutive Cup win.
A jubilant David Brook said, “Horses with a Birdsville connection are always very popular, and everyone backs them so it’s great Neodium bought home another win. It’s a rare thing to get a back-to-back win in the TAB Birdsville Cup. We’ve been racing here a long time – our first win was in the Centenary Cup in 1982. We will be sure to have a few tonight to celebrate.”
Trainer Tommy Stokes, brother Kerrin alongside grandparents Ron & Mary made the trip out to the iconic Outback races from their Morphettville, Adelaide stables with Neodium and his beloved stablemate Trumpsta – who came second.
Tommy’s father and Group 1 trainer Phillip Stokes surprised his family by flying in unannounced to see them take out the back-to-back TAB Birdsville Cup win.
“Today’s win is all about the kids, I’ve really just come to support them. I’m so proud, the win means a lot to us. And it means a lot to do this for the Brook family,” said Phillip Stokes.
“It’s been awesome to have all of us out here together. It’s been 30 years since dad was out here. I’m over the moon and really emotional to get the quinella and to have dad here with us. It really was the icing on the cake to have Trumpsta come second. They were both so much calmer this year, and ate better on the trip out. They knew the drill, and everything worked perfectly having them together. We’re a small team in Adelaide and are all very close – I can’t wait to celebrate the win with the Brooks tonight and then get back home to celebrate all over again with the team,” said trainer Tommy Stokes.
After a 20-year hiatus, Brook horses returned to Listore Park in the Adelaide Hills – a property owned by the family and the base for more Birdsville Cup winners than any other property in the country.
“We think Listore Park may have been the secret ingredient in Neodium’s lead in preparation. It’s a magical slice of land and the horses had a great spell out there before returning to Stokes’ stables in Morphettville to begin final preparations ahead of coming out to Birdsville,” said Birdsville Races Vice President Gary Brook.
Last year Neodium formed a strong bond with his travel companion Trumpsta when they travelled together for the 2,400km roundtrip from Adelaide to Birdsville – and the best friends have only become closer throughout the last twelve months – now stabled side by side and training together.
“They really do love one another, and Neodium is so much calmer when Trumpsta is with him. We can’t even train them separately at home without Neodium kicking up a fuss and calling out for Trumpsta. So, there was no question that Trumpsta had to make the trip out again this year. Both horses are in great form and went in as the favourites for the TAB Birdsville Cup – and to have them come in as 1 and 2 in the Cup race is awesome,” added Tommy Stokes.
Off the track fashions on the field took centre stage, with entrants creating a spectacular riot of colour. The Fashions on the Field winners were Michael Bertran, Port Lincoln, SA & Marissa Deaves, Cooranbong, NSW.
Horses, trainers and jockeys hailing as far afield as QLD, VIC, SA and the NT, and Birdsville Races Roadies also travelled from all corners of Australia, in a fun fuelled road trip following suggested routes and connecting with other travellers as they made the epic journey through the Outback to the Birdsville Races.
Today’s OBE Organic VIP marquee saw ticket holders enjoy a menu that included Slow Roasted OBE Beef short rib, chicken with creamy sweetcorn and chorizo and cherry and orange cheesecake.
The headline 1,600m TAB Birdsville Cup had a $50,000 prize purse, and the races are a full TAB meet with the combined prize money for the 13-race carnival topping more than $300,000. The total prize pool for the Simpson Desert Racing Carnival, which includes the Birdsville Races as well as the Betoota and Bedourie Races, now sits at a record $452,000 - making it the richest two weeks of racing in Outback Queensland.
Punters across Australia can experience all action from the Birdsville Races from the comfort of their own homes on Sky Racing.
The Birdsville Races are proudly supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.
About the Birdsville Races
The bucket list Birdsville Races are the most remote thoroughbred horse races in the world. ??Staged in the spectacular Simpson Desert of Outback Queensland, the Birdsville Races have a rich history of dirt track racing, fashions on the field and colourful characters spanning 142 years.
Known as the Melbourne Cup of the Outback, the Birdsville Races generate millions of dollars in tourism spending for Outback Queensland, as well as being a much-needed social event for remote property holders and communities.
The combined prize money for the 13-race carnival tops more than $300,000, plus bonuses. The Birdsville Cup prize money alone is $50,000. The event also supports the important outback medical work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
For more information, visit www.birdsvilleraces.com,
