Wagga Wagga Gold Cup

See the 2023 Wagga Cup Preview and results.

See the 2022 Wagga Cup Preview and results.

See the 2021 Wagga Cup Preview and results.

This is the premier race of the Murrumbidgee Turf Club. It dates back to 1871 when it was called the Free Handicap and was won by a horse called Wisdom and the prizemoney was 300 sovereigns. In 1874 the race was run as the Wagga Cup with prizemoney of 500 sovereigns and in 1875 prizemoney doubled to 1000 sovereigns. !876 was the first running of the Wagga Gold Cup where the prizemoney of 1000 guineas was also supplemented with a gold cup provided by a sponsor, and for the next 14 years these cups were donated by wealthy sportspeople residing in the south-west of New South Wales. You can find pictures of these early gold cups online and they they were magnificent much sought after trophies.

These days the race is held as part of a two-day Racing Carnival with the Town Plate on the Thursday and the Wagga Gold Cup on the Friday, normally the first Friday in May. It is a major event for the town with people flocking there from across NSW and the Canberra region. Accommodation can be hard to fiind with many people booking a year in advance.

It is now a race that gives the winner exemption from the ballot for the Big Dance.

Last mare to win: Call Me Lily (2002)

Multiple winners: Allez Bijou (1981 & 1984); Big Bickies (1979 & 1980); Cop ( 1976 & 1978); What Fun (1967 & 1968); Flash Gem (1957 & 1958); Collison (1948 & 1949).

Fastest time (2000m): Goodwood (1999) 1:59:8

Interesting trivia: In 2020 House Of Cartier was first past the post but was disqualified due to a positive swab, making John Thompson’s overseas import Maurus the new winner.

Winners of past Wagga Wagga Gold Cups include horses that go on to win major spring races.