The Swan Hill Racing Carnival is one of Victoria’s hallmark country racing events featuring three race days held annually over the King’s Birthday long weekend in June. Accommodation in the area books out months in advance due to the carnival’s huge popularity with racing fans from far and wide.
Prior to the global pandemic, a record 10,500 racegoers attended the three days of the carnival in 2019, including more than 5,700 on Swan Hill Cup day.
The carnival begins on the Friday each year with the Pooles Accountants $150,000 Golden Topaz, followed by the Swan Hill BusBiz Family Fun Day incorporating the Quambatook Cup on Saturday. The main event – the bet365 Swan Hill Cup – runs on Sunday with prize money now up to $175,000.