Boulia Camel Races

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Boulia Camel Races
Camels racing at Boulia Camel Racing event 2021
The 2021 Boulia Camel Races
Statusactive
BeginsJuly 15, 2022 (2022-07-15)
EndsJuly 17, 2022 (2022-07-17)
FrequencyAnnually
VenueBoulia Racecourse
Location(s)Boulia, QLD
Coordinates22°54′35″S 139°54′24″E / 22.9097°S 139.9066°E / -22.9097; 139.9066Coordinates: 22°54′35″S 139°54′24″E / 22.9097°S 139.9066°E / -22.9097; 139.9066
CountryAustralia
Years active25
Inaugurated1997 (1997)
Organised byBoulia Camel Races Incorporated
SponsorsTourism & Events Queensland, Thirsty Camel, Outback Queensland, Boulia Shire Council, Channel 7, HIT 102.5
Websitewww.bouliacamelraces.com.au

The Boulia Camel Races is an Australian camel race held annually every third weekend of July in Boulia, Queensland since 1997. Sometimes called the Melbourne Cup of camel racing,[1] the event is home to the Cup, previously the Boulia Camel Cup, the longest camel race in Australia run over 1500 meters..[2][3]. Races are overseen by the regulatory body Racing Queensland.[4]

Additional entertainment throughout the event include camel and sheep tagging competitions, yabby races, fireworks, children's amusements, live entertainment and novelty races including the 'Great Australian Ride-on Lawnmower Race'.[5] Boulia has seen a population increase of nearly tenfold during the festival.[1]

Qualifying[]

The three day event culminates in the major Thirsty Camel Cup race. To qualify, camels must have competed in both the 400m and 1000m heats held across the previous days' racing.[6]

  • The minimum age of racing camels in 3 years and bulls are allowed to race as long as they are not in season.
  • The racetrack is a U shape, with camels racing clockwise.
  • The maximum number of camels per race is 18

2022 Event[]

The 2022 event will take place over three days from the 15th - 17th July 2022.

2021 Event[]

Along with new sponsoring partner Thirsty Camel Bottleshops,[7] the Boulia Camel Races offered a record $45,000 AUD prize pool for competitors in the 2021 Thirsty Camel Cup race.[8][9] The cup final was won by jockey Kelly Cloan and camel trainer Roman Czubak.[10]

The Boulia Camel Races had originally been set to celebrate the event's 25th anniversary in 2021, however due to the cancelled event in 20202 the anniversary celebration was pushed back to 2022.[11] The 2021 event was one of the first to return following the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.[12]

2020 Event[]

Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions throughout the state of Queensland in 2019, the Boulia Camel Races were cancelled in 2020.

2019 Event[]

In 2019 the Boulia Camel Cup was won by local camel trainers Dannileah Stewart and Ronnie Callope.[11] This was the first win by a local since 2014, and the weekend drew eight thousand fans.[13][14]

2018 Event[]

In 2018 the Boulia Camel Cup was won by New South Wales jockey Chontelle Jannesse on camel 'Uncle Bob', trained by Road Sansom.[15]

2017 Event[]

In 2017 the winner of the 1500m final was Shepparton camel jockey Glenda Sutton[16]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Heelan, Paula (2021-07-20). "Boulia's Gunna wins Melbourne Cup of camel racing". Queensland Country Life. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  2. ^ "Boulia braces for the 'Melbourne Cup of Camel Races'". 2019-06-04. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  3. ^ Mount Isa Tourism. "Boulia Camel Races". Mount Isa Tourism. Archived from the original on 2020-03-25. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  4. ^ Racing Queensland. "Boulia Camel Races 2021". www.racingqueensland.com.au. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  5. ^ Tourism and Events Queensland. "Boulia Camel Races". www.queensland.com. Archived from the original on 2020-09-21. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  6. ^ Boulia Camel Races. "Camel Racing". Boulia Camel Races. Archived from the original on 2016-04-03. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  7. ^ Barry, Derek (2021-05-18). "Boulia Camel Races return for 2021 with new sponsor". Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  8. ^ Walker, Helen (2021-05-24). "Thirsty Camel backs Boulia races". Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  9. ^ Boulia Camel Races (2021-05-18). "THIRSTY CAMEL BACKS AUSTRALIA'S RICHEST CAMEL RACES". Boulia Camel Races. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  10. ^ Barry, Derek (2021-07-19). "Local 'Gunna' win in Boulia Camel Races". The North West Star. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  11. ^ a b Boulia Camel Races (2020-04-05). "HUMP IN THE ROAD SPURS BOULIA CAMEL RACING TOWARDS 2021". Boulia Camel Races. Archived from the original on 2020-09-30. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  12. ^ Bolton, Meg (2021-02-09). "Slow start for 'camel man' as racing industry recovers from COVID". ABC News. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  13. ^ Barry, Derek (2019-07-21). "All the fun of Boulia Camel Races". Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  14. ^ Barry, Derek (2019-07-22). "Wason wins the cup at the Boulia Camel Races". Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  15. ^ Fitzgerald, Roxanne (2019-07-17). "Dusty, outback town braces for 'The Melbourne Cup of Camel Races'". Katherine Times. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  16. ^ Allison, Charmayne (2021-07-16). "Camel racing a 20-year passion for this Victorian jockey". ABC News. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
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