A strong crowd gathered at the Jerilderie Racecourse on Saturday for the 2026 Jerilderie Gold Cup, with an exciting finish to the feature race and a colourful Fashions on the Field among the highlights of the day.
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Eamonn’s Memory (NZ) claimed the Elders - Bill Ferris Memorial Jerilderie Cup, backing up his Griffith Cup victory just two weeks earlier to make it two country cups in succession.
Trained at Wangaratta by Andrew Dale and ridden by Josh Richards, the eight year-old gelding carried 61kg and started as the $3 favourite in the 1400m feature.
It proved to be a thrilling finish, with Eamonn’s Memory holding off Zetalyn, trained by Fiona Watts and ridden by Hannah Edgley, by a short neck.
Fox Appeal, trained by Craig Weeding and ridden by Justin Stanley, finished third.
The victory continued an excellent run of form for Eamonn’s Memory and marked his 16th career win from 88 starts.
While the action on the track provided plenty of excitement, there was just as much colour trackside.
Racegoers travelled from across the region to take part in Fashions on the Field, with Eliza Pretlove from Moama crowned Lady of the Day.
A new addition to this year was the Local Lady of the Day category, introduced to recognise and celebrate local racegoers. The inaugural title went to Amy Foley from Jerilderie.
Johnny Foscarini from Yenda was named Man of the Track, while Alicia Williams from Barham partnered with Jerilderie’s Ben Stonnill to win Couple of the Day.
A standout piece of headwear saw Dayhna Heenan from Shepparton awarded the Race-Stopping Millinery title.
The Gold Cup weekend was also a special one for the Jerilderie District Race Club, with two long-standing supporters receiving one of the club’s highest honours.
At the 100 Club on Friday night, Des McRae and Alecia Williams were both recognised as Life Members of the Jerilderie District Race Club, acknowledging their many years of dedication, hard work and support of the club.
Alecia Williams and Des McRae were both recognised as Life Members of the Jerilderie District Race Club.
Their recognition was a fitting way to begin a weekend celebrating not only country racing, but the people who continue to support the Jerilderie Race Club and ensure the Gold Cup remains an important event on the local calendar.
The Jerilderie District Race Club thanked its sponsors, volunteers, committee members and everyone who contributed behind the scenes, as well as the racegoers who travelled from near and far to support the 2026 event.
Couple of the Day went to Ben Stonnill and Alicia Williams.
Race-Stopping Millinery winner Dayhna Heenan.
Couple of the Day winners Alicia Williams and Ben Stonnill.
Dayhna Heenan and Alicia Williams.
Lady of the Day entrants. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn from Jerilderie District Race Club.
Fashions on the Field entrants. Photos courtesy of Brooklyn from Jerilderie District Race Club.
The Fashions on the Field had a great showing. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn from Jerilderie District Race Club.
Racegoers took in the action trackside. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn from the Jerilderie District Race Club.
It was a great day out for the 2026 Jerilderie Gold Cup. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn from Jerilderie District Race Club.
