The Murrumbidgee Turf Club (MTC) is honored to present one of the largest Agriculture social events in Australia, Aggies Race Day which continues to support the Wagga Agriculture Club (WAC) and wider community.

The MTC continue their ongoing partnership with the Wagga Agriculture Club (WAC) who began the race day initiative in 1989 to raise money for friend and fellow student Peter Worsley, who sustained spinal injuries from a rugby incident. Since then, the Wagga Agriculture Club has raised numerous funds for Peter and the wider WAC community.

The spring racing atmosphere kicks off at 12.00pm with a seven-race card giving opportunity for local and interstate horses to stretch their legs leading into the Spring Racing Carnival which includes eight days of racing at the MTC beginning on Saturday 21 September.  

Straight from television fame will be this year’s Farmer Wants a Wife contestants who will be spotted on course throughout the day. Couples Daisy Lamb &Todd Melbourne, Sophie Trethowan & Dustin Waring will be in attendance as well as singles Bert Harris, Tom Boyer and Jamira Kelly, who may find love at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club.

The Fashions on the Fields competition will return with categories including Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Man which will take place after Race 2 (1.50pm) and Best Millinery and Best Dressed Couple which will take place after Race 3 (2.30pm).

The prize pool includes vouchers from local boutiques Texas Jane and Ted & Olive, clothing store Blowes, Ruby Woodlock Art, Riverina Co-op, and the William Farrer Hotel. Farmer wants a Wife contestants Daisy Lamb & Todd Melbourne will be presenting the Fashions on the Field prizes after each category.

Judges will include local style gurus Ivy Seddon from Texas Jane Boutique and Sarah Carey from Ted and Olive Boutique as well as local milliner Dianne Barbour. Registrations for Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Man, Best Millinery and Best Dressed couple are available next to the fashions stage after the first race.

Daisy Lamb is excited about attending the races and “loves having the opportunity to use momentum we have built through Farmer Wants a Wife to give back to country towns.”

MTC CEO Jason Ferrario is excited about the large crowds returning to the track after this year’s highly successful Wagga Gold Cup Carnival, “It’s great to see such enthusiasm from our local WAC committee on hosting the annual Aggies Race Day, The MTC is the perfect venue to host the biggest day in the Australian Agriculture social event calendar.”

WAC Race Day Committee President Josh Elworthy mentions the strong charity component and what it means for WAC member Peter Worsley, “It’s so great that we can continue our partnership with the MTC to raise funds for Peter Worsley, his family, and the wider WAC committee.”

“In 2023 we raised over $30,000 from the Race Day and we can’t wait to present Peter and his family with this year’s fundraising efforts.”

All venues will be in operation on course and bars will be operated via a drink ticket system located in key areas on course with cash and card accepted and will be in operation until 6.00pm. Drinks tickets priced at $5.50 per ticket.

There will be no shortage of entertainment with Aaron Oldaker in the WAC Marquee during the day and Paddy Wagon Band playing classics and getting the dancefloor going after the last.

Free buses will be available at the end of Aggies Race Day departing from the Slocum Street exit from 4.30pm and will do circuits downtown.