Tasmania is gearing up for an exciting summer of racing as Ladbrokes launches its 2025/26 Summer Racing Festival, bringing together some of the state’s biggest racing events.
The jubilee promises thrilling action on the track, with suckers eagerly anticipating the Devonport Cup on January 7, 2026.
One of the jubilee’s name stories is Tasmanian jockey Craig Newitt, who’ll chase an inconceivable tenth Devonport Cup palm.
Newitt, planning to spend more time in his home state this season, shared his enthusiasm: “I have always been taught never to forget where you come from. I love coming back to Tassie.”
Newitt is no foreigner to the Devonport Cup, having won the last two editions aboard Ashy Boy, trained by Glenn Stevenson. His first run in the prestigious race dates back to 2002, and he considers it a major target each time.
“It is the one race I start looking for a horse months in advance,” he said, highlighting the race’s importance to his calendar.
A Festival of Tasmanian Racing
The Devonport Cup is just one highlight of the Ladbrokes Summer Racing Festival, which began on November 21 in Launceston with Barry Campbell’s Durazzo taking out the $150,000 Listed Tasmanian Newmarket Handicap.
The jubilee will run until February 28, 2026, concluding with the Group 1 Ladbrokes Tasmania Cup in Hobart.
Key events include:
- Hobart and Launceston Cups – each with a prize pool of $250,000
- The Chase and Ladbrokes Hobart Thousand – top greyhound races
- The Golden Apple – featuring harness racing thrills
- Devonport Cup – the marquee thoroughbred event
Tasracing CEO Andrew Jenkins emphasised the festival’s statewide appeal: “It is crucial to position ourselves as a statewide industry to the national market.”
He also stressed the fashionability of country race days in municipalities like Longford, St. Mary’s, and Burnie, which attracted over 10,000 callers during last time’s jubilee.
Community and Investment in Racing
Andrew Vouris, CEO of Entain Australia, reiterated Ladbrokes’ commitment to Tasmanian racing.
“We are looking forward to a fantastic festival of racing,” he said, underlining that Ladbrokes’ support goes beyond sponsorship to enhancing the overall racing experience for participants and fans alike.
The jubilee also integrates community-focused events, similar to the harness yearling trade on February 14 and the Magic Millions yearling trade on February 23 at Quercus Park, Carrick.
Around $80,000 will be invested in original sporting and community clubs via the Ladbrokes Community Sports Series, enabling further than 150 clubs to take part during the three main pedigree mug days.
With high-stakes racing, star jockeys, and community engagement, the Ladbrokes Summer Racing Festival 2025/26 promises to be a thrilling season for Tasmanian racing suckers, putting the state forcefully on the public racing chart.
