Canberra Cup to celebrate centenary year in 2026
The Canberra Racing Club is proud to announce that the TAB Canberra Cup will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its first running in March 2026. The occasion is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate a century of history, racing excellence and connection to the rich cultural and sporting heritage of Canberra.
First run in 1926, on the original Acton Track which now lies under Lake Burley Griffin, the Canberra Cup has excited generations of Canberrans and racing fans across the country.
Canberra Racing Club Chief Executive Officer Darren Pearce said, “We are so proud of the Canberra Cup and we can’t wait to give this momentous occasion the special celebration it deserves.”
“Our Cup is almost as old as Canberra itself and has provided Canberrans with thrills and unforgettable moments for almost a century.”
“The centenary celebrations will honour the generations of horses, jockeys, trainers, and racing fans who have shaped the Cup’s proud legacy.”
A series of special events and promotions will be held in the lead up to the anniversary of the 100th running, on John McGrath Auto group Black Opal Stakes Day – Sunday, 8 March 2026.
The centenary celebrations will launch aboard a boat on Lake Burley Griffin, directly above the original racecourse that now lies below.
The community will be able to engage in the celebrations in a number of ways, by being oncourse on Sunday, 8 March for Canberra’s biggest race day or by purchasing one of 100 limited edition hats that would see them in the running to be a ‘Centenary Cup Runner Owner’ for the day, where they can win prizemoney.
More information about this promotion will be revealed in the coming months.
The John McGrath Auto Group Black Opal Cocktail Party, which sees 200 of the local racing community celebrate Canberra’s flagship race day will be expanded with leading Trainer Bjorn Baker locked in as a special guest and Centenary Cup Ambassador.
Baker who has won the Canberra Cup twice, said, “I am delighted to be an ambassador for the centenary celebrations!”
“I’ve had two exceptional horses that were both great in the Canberra Cup, Samadoubt was the inaugural Group 1 Winx Stakes winner in the Spring after and Arapaho went on to claim the Group 1 Tancred Stakes over 2400m next start.”
“They were two special horses that were great in our Nation’s Capital race.”
“The Canberra Cup fits in well in the Autumn and was very good as a stepping stone particularly with Arapaho and also Burbero who came second in the Canberra Cup before winning the Group 2 Ajax Stakes next start.”
“I find Canberra people to be laid back, great fun and great to deal with. I am lucky enough to have numerous clients from Canberra and the ACT and have only had good experiences with them.”
For further information about centenary celebrations, keep an eye on Thoroughbred Park’s socials as well as Thoroughbredpark.com.au.