The successful applicants for Victoria’s first harness slot race have been confirmed, with a great mix of industry participants and supporters, sporting clubs, friends and family set to take part in the inaugural editions of the Running of the Bulls at Birchip.
A selection panel including representatives from Harness Racing Victoria, the Birchip Harness Racing Club and Buloke Shire Council met to settle on the nine parties following a six-week expression of interest period that began on October 2.
Major sponsor Cargill Cares for Community receives the 10th slot as part of its significant financial contribution to the event.
Each horse in the final field will be selected by the slot holders, which have a position for the 2026 and 2027 races. They are as follows:
- GIDDY UP WITH GARETH HALL
- FILLIES IN CHARGE
- DUNN-EZY SEED CLEANING
- BIRCHIP-WATCHEM FOOTBALL CLUB
- MURCHISON-TOOLAMBA FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB
- LEWIS FAMILY
- ASHWOOD RACING
- COFFEY FAMILY
- CROWN LODGE RACING
- CARGILL CARES FOR COMMUNITY
Harness Racing Victoria CEO Matt Isaacs congratulated the Birchip Harness Racing Club for its passion and commitment to help make the Running of the Bulls idea a reality.
“The annual Birchip meeting has long been one of the special days on the Victorian harness racing calendar and it will go to a whole new level next year with the inclusion of this race,” Isaacs said.
“It’s great that many new faces to harness racing want to get involved, broadening the sport’s reach and fanbase.
“The Running of the Bulls has been designed with country Victoria at its core, and I can’t wait to see who wins the inaugural race in March next year.”
Birchip Harness Racing Club president Brad Sharp said his committee was thrilled to deliver Victoria’s first harness slot race.
“The concept was something that had been talked about for many years here in Birchip and we are so pleased that it’s finally coming to fruition,” Sharp said. “The town and local community here is buzzing with excitement.
“Everybody within the industry knows what an incredible day Birchip puts on – both on and off the track – and we will make it bigger and better in 2026.”
Thanks to the generous support of Cargill Cares for Community and the slot holders, the feature event will be run for $125,000 in each of the first two years.
The 2026 race conditions have been carefully crafted to draw a field of emerging types and country warriors. They include:
- A 2150m pacing race for horses 4YO and older, with a preferential barrier draw (NR)
- Horses must have a national rating of no more than 90 and have not won a race worth $50,000 or more since January 1, 2024
- Horses with a national rating of 91+ are eligible, providing they haven’t won a race worth $15,000 or more
- The horse must be Victorian-trained from December 1, 2025
The first edition of the Running of the Bulls will be held on Sunday, March 8 next year.
