This Sunday, 29 January, will see the 100th instalment of the Strathalbyn Cup. Held at one of the most picturesque racecourses in South Australia, it’s expected to be a fabulous day of food, wine, friends, fun, fashion and racing. An event steeped in history, the Strathalbyn Cup has become a staple of the Strathalbyn social calendar and is not to be missed.
In 1923 Australia was quite a different place compared with 2023 with plenty of changes over the 100 years. Australia had two Prime Ministers that year, the population had reached 5.5 million people, and Australia was still using pounds rather than dollars.
While a lot has changed, there are still many similarities. In 1923 and in 2023 Australia had a King, Norwood were the reigning SANFL premiers and the Strathalbyn Cup began bringing the local community together for an event that could not be missed.
In 2023 the Strathalbyn Racing Club is celebrating the 100th year of the Strathalbyn Cup, an event which has been a popular and important event for the people of Strathalbyn and the surrounding region. A community event that has prevailed through economic depressions, a World War and a number of other challenges, through everything the Strathalbyn Cup still remains.
After a false start in 1919 when the first version of the Strathalbyn Racing Club folded, and then reforming as a picnic racing club, the current Strathalbyn Racing Club formed as a registered racing club with a totalisator licence in 1922.
In 1923 the first race meeting under the new totalisator licences was run – this would become the first Strathalbyn Cup. Over the following years the Club grew in membership and started holding more events, growing from one race meeting a year to multiple. From these early race meetings, the Strathalbyn Cup was born.
Over the next decade the support for the Cup continued to grow throughout the community and they were rewarded with some exceptional racing.
By the mid-1920s, the Strathalbyn Cup began to play a key role for South Australian owners and trainers looking to prove their horse’s ability and gain race experience before taking on interstate challenges. In 1926 SA thoroughbred Amenhotep placed in the Strathalbyn Cup, and as a result their owner decided to head to Melbourne and prepare to take on the Caulfield Cup.
As the township of Strathalbyn grew, the Strathalbyn Cup went from strength to strength, bringing the community together, providing employment, and in tough times offering an enjoyable event to lift the community’s spirits!
Just an hour’s drive from Adelaide, Strathalbyn Racecourse is a wonderful place to enjoy a warm, sunny, summer’s Sunday. Why not bring the family and enjoy the excitement of the day. It’s fun, affordable and family friendly!
Event Information
- Northpoint Fleurieu Strathalbyn Cup – Sunday 29 January
- Gates open at 11:00am
- Fashion at the Races
- Kids Activities
- Eight-race card, starting with the 100th Strathalbyn Cup.
Get your tickets today via Moshtix.
