THE running of the Bowraville Cup on Saturday, 20 September holds special significance this year as the Nambucca River Jockey Club celebrates two extraordinary milestones.
The race day will mark the 50th anniversary of the racecourse’s reopening in 1975 and what may well be the 150th anniversary of its original opening.
Racing in Bowraville dates back to the 1870s.
A race book from the first meeting held on 1 October 1874 marked that year as the likely start of the track’s operation.
The course closed sometime before World War Two, before volunteers launched a major community effort to restore the venue in 1974.
Construction of the track and public facilities, including the judge’s tower and running rail, was completed in September 1975.
The official reopening was marked by the first modern Bowraville Cup on 1 October 1975, attended by approximately 3,000 spectators.
In a fitting tribute to the importance of the event, Council declared a half-day public holiday for the occasion.
The 1975 Bowraville Cup was called by none other than Ken Howard, the legendary race caller renowned for his iconic phrase: “You can bet London to a brick on”.
Retired at the time in Nambucca Heads, Howard returned to the microphone for the love of the track.
The Cup was won by Gay Pistrani, trained by Glen Hodge and ridden by Ray Walker.
Over the years, many celebrated voices have called races at Bowraville, including the recently retired Terry Bailey and the late David Morrow, who fondly recalled his time on the Nambucca.
Renowned jockeys such as Zac Purton, Glen Colless, and Darren Beadman also graced the Bowraville track in their early careers.
Since 1975, the Club has grown thanks to tireless volunteers and a strong, stable leadership.
At its peak, Bowraville hosted up to 12 meetings a year, and today holds four meetings annually.
The Club owns not only the public race day facilities but also adjoining land with a farmhouse and stable complex, a rarity in NSW.
The Club has a strong tradition of helping other regional clubs, stepping in as administrator for both Coffs Harbour and Kempsey race clubs during challenging periods.
In recognition of these efforts, members Greg Doolan and Perry McNally received the prestigious Simon Nivison Award from Racing NSW Country in 2007.
The Bowraville Racecourse has also become a valued community asset, offering its facilities free of charge to charitable and community groups.
The Club holds the Bellingen Cup annually, hosts a commemorative race in honour of the late cricketer Phillip Hughes, and even named the Lightning Bend Handicap after a local Group 1 winner.
To honour the hundreds of volunteers who have contributed over the past 50 years, the Club is providing on-course catering for past volunteers during the Cup celebration.
While records of past volunteers are incomplete, the Club warmly invites all former helpers to get in touch via nrjc75@bigpond.com.
By Mick BIRTLES
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