Big Day Of Racing At Burrandowan

Winners are grinners! Katie Atkinson, from Kingaroy, was celebrating her birthday and a win at Saturday’s Burrandowan Races

May 13, 2026

One of the biggest crowds seen in years enjoyed a huge day and night on Saturday at the Burrandowan Picnic Races.

Visitors started rolling into the camping ground on Thursday for the annual event, and the crowds kept on building as the weekend approached.

Out on the track, the racing was keen with very close finishes in the first three events.

Two legends of South Burnett racing who died in 2025 – Tom Moloney and Brian Lenihan – were remembered with memorial races named in their honour.

Tom was a former jockey and trainer, and a Life Member of the Burrandowan Picnic Race Club; while former Kumbia Race Club president Brian was also heavily involved with Burrandowan over the years.

Toowoomba trainer Vic Heading took home the Burrandowan Cup with his seven-year-old gelding Flying Rothe, while winning jockey Reece O’Connell was presented with the now-traditional silver bracelet by South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff.

It was also a big day for jockey Jess Emmerson who brought home three winners.

The Fashions Of The Field judging – squeezed in between Races 3 and 4 – was also hotly contested (see below).

As soon as correct weight was called on the last race, the pit barbecues fired up followed by live music until late with Wal Neilsen.

Jockey Jess Emmerson, who booted home three winners on the day, with her proud parents Graham and Deb Emmerson, from Thornton

Kingaroy friends Cloe, Christie, Lara, Alisha and Rachella were enjoying a day at the races

Pat and Alan Eagleson were being kept busy at their Mon-Dee Coffee 2 Go van

Kingaroy Lions Club volunteers were enjoying a quick lunch break after working at their stall

Ray White, from Quinalow; Jim Tanner, Helidon; Dan Moloney, Durong; and Rob Creagh, Boondooma

Rozen Mijares, from Brisbane, with Annie Lewis, from Kingaroy

Letitia Ruwoldt, from Crows Nest; Tom Eggerling, Wondai; and Angela Ozog, Toowoomba

Abby Burrows, Santasia Moggs and Amity Campbell, from Kingaroy

The Mobile Police Van was at Burrandowan … Senior Constable Nick Beacroft, Senior Sergeant Scott Prendergast and Detective Sergeant Troy Whittle with Aleisha Roberts, from Wondai

Burrandowan Races is always a big day for South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff, whose grandparents met at the first running of Burrandowan in 1922 … John Patrick Duff’s horse “Thunderclap” won the Ladies Bracelet that year and Mayor Duff now presents a silver bracelet every year to the winning jockey of the Burrandowan Cup

Jason Fleischfresser, from Brisbane, with Jen Lonsdale, from Kingaroy

Cr Deb Dennien with Glenda Richardson, from Kingaroy, and Zac Dennien

Breanna and Gaye Chapman, from Narangba, with Julie Honeyman, Geebung

Members of the Moloney family gathered after Race 5, the Burrandowan Cup, which was run in memory of the family’s patriarch, Tom Moloney, who died last year … Tom was a much-loved former jockey, trainer and a Life Member of the Burrandowan Picnic Race Club (Photo: Kathy Duff)

One of the biggest crowds seen at Burrandowan in recent years turned out on Saturday for the annual picnic races

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Fashions Of The Field

Burrandowan’s fashions competitions are legendary and always attract lots of entries as well as a big crowd of onlookers.

They are judged during an extended break between Race 3 and Race 4.

The Millinery and Lady of the Day awards are judged from the female entries in the other categories.

Best Dressed Couple … Lee-Anne and Rob McDonald, from Dalby

LEFT: Best Dressed Gentleman … John Chamley, Caloundra RIGHT: Lady of the Day … Toni-Ann Barnett, Caloundra

Best Dressed Contemporary Lady … runner-up Caylen Tunstall, from Kingaroy, with winner Julia Thomas, Toowoomba

Best Dressed Classic Lady … winner Aleisha Roberts, from Wondai, with runner-up Verelle O’Shanesy, Jandowae

Best Millinery … runner-up Avril Gibbon, from Greenbank, with winner Jan Bulman, Warwick

They’re all winners … all the entrants in the children’s category of the Fashions of the Field competition received vouchers for an ice cream or a drink

There is always a very large crowd gathered to watch the Fashions of the Field competitions

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Race Results

Outdoor Cat (with Shakira Bailey aboard) on the rails and eventual winner Extra Hands (Jess Emmerson) battle it out towards the line in Race 1

Another close finish … Above The World (Jess Emmerson) just edges out Xuanfeng (Paul Hamblin) in Race 2

Race 1 – Seilers Transport / Jim’s Jerky / Project Water QTIS Class B Handicap (1050m)
1. Extra Hands (7) – Jess Emmerson
2. Outdoor Cat (6) – Shakira Bailey
3. Wally’s Boy (4) – Amelia Heinrich
Time: 1:01.44
Margins: Long head x 1 1/2 lengths

Race 2 – Combined Business Houses Of The South Burnett / Tanner Farming Benchmark 55 Handicap (1050m)
1. Above The World (15) – Jess Emmerson
2. Xuanfeng (6) – Paul Hamblin
3. Hit (8) – Violet Soulsby
Time: 1:01.15
Margins: Head x 1 3/4 lengths

Race 3 – RES / Brian Lenihan Memorial Maiden Plate (1175m)
1. Elegant Lucy (11) – Isabel Jessop
2. Samurai Wand (1) – Paul Randall
3. The Hindustan (3) – Courtney Ferris
Time: 1:10.85
Margins: 1 length x 2 1/4 lengths

Race 4 – Kewpie Stockfeeds Benchmark 65 Handicap (1175m)
1. Milton Road (2) – Jess Emmerson
2. Desert Star (13) – Violet Soulsby
3. Start Strutting (11) – Amelia Heinrich
Time: 1:09.86
Margins: 2 1/4 lengths x short neck

Race 5 – Kellco Livestock Agents / Patron’s Trophy / Tom Moloney Memorial Burrandowan Cup Benchmark 55 Handicap (1740m)
1. Flying Rothe (7) – Reece O’Connell
2. Alfa Dundee (5) – Paul Hamblin
3. Bugden (4) – Isabel Jessop
Time: 1:48.92
Margins: 2 1/4 lengths x half neck