Published Yesterday at 01:11 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for Veterans
The Honourable David Crisafulli

Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
The Honourable Tim Mander

Oaks Day added to Queensland's mega day of sport

  • Queensland Day’s Mega Day of Sport gets bigger with Oaks Day now added.
  • The event – featuring the Queensland Oaks and the Queensland Day Stakes – joins all-Queensland games of NRL, AFL and Super Netball.
  • The Crisafulli Government is celebrating our State’s birthday with a sporting feast.
  • The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start and celebrating all that is great about Queensland.  

Queensland Day’s Mega Day of Sport on Saturday 6 June just got bigger, with the Brisbane Racing Club’s Oaks Day at Eagle Farm added to a smorgasbord of major sporting events. 

The Queensland Day Stakes will feature alongside the classic $700,000 Group 1 Queensland Oaks, which was won by champion galloper Winx in 2015 – the first of her astonishing 25 Group 1 wins. 

The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start and celebrating all that is great about Queensland, with the State set to turn maroon.  

On what’s set to be a monumental day in the State’s history, the Broncos and Titans are set to do battle at Suncorp Stadium, the Cowboys play the Dolphins in Townsville, Brisbane Lions take on the Suns on the Gold Coast, and the Queensland Firebirds host the Sunshine Coast Lightning in Super Netball. 

A highlight of the Brisbane Winter Carnival, Oaks Day will also feature the Queensland Day Stakes, worth $200,000 in prize money, to add to the occasion. 

Premier David Crisafulli said Oaks Day was the perfect addition to the Mega Day of Sport and encouraged Queenslanders to wear maroon to the track. 

“What better way to celebrate Queensland Day than to head to Eagle Farm and enjoy one of the State’s great racing events,” Premier Crisafulli said. 

“We are working to deliver the most magnificent offering of Queensland sporting action on this important date, which marks Queensland’s separation from New South Wales in 1859. 

“This is Queensland’s 167th birthday, and so much of what we love about this great State revolves around sport, so let’s savour the mega sporting feast coming on June 6.”  

Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said he was thrilled to see racing officially join the Queensland Day celebrations. 

“Racing is a huge part of Queensland life, supporting regional communities, creating jobs and contributing around $2.5 billion each year to the state’s economy,” Minister Mander said. 

“It’s only fitting that Queenslanders celebrate trackside as we mark our state’s proud history and bright future. 

“Bringing Oaks Day together with Queensland’s mega day of sport will add even more excitement to the Winter Carnival and further highlight the strength, passion and tradition of racing in our great state.” 

Brisbane Racing Club CEO Karl de Kroo said the day would be the ultimate show of Queensland spirit. 

“Brisbane Racing Club is excited to be involved in Queensland Day’s Mega Day of Sport and Eagle Farm will become an epicentre for celebrations,” Mr deKroo said. 

“The aptly named Queensland Day Stakes, worth $200,000 in prize money, will take centre stage alongside the time-honoured and prestigious Group 1 Queensland Oaks. 

“The course will be a Brisbane hotspot to enjoy all the day’s action with live sport to be shown on the infield mega screen after the last race. 

“Trackside will be awash with Queensland pride by way of Queensland-only produce across our diverse menus and a Queensland-themed cocktail. 

“We will also encourage racegoers to show their support by supplementing the traditional Oaks Day dress code with a splash of maroon.” 

Queensland's reigning and first female Metro Premier Jockey Angela Jones said Oaks Day was one of the highlights of the winter racing carnival. 

“We’re so excited to see Oaks Day join the Mega Day of sport in Queensland on June 6,” Ms Jones said. 

“It’s a day when you get a lot of ladies and a lot of colour. I’m lucky enough that I have been able to ride on the day a couple of times and it’s a great day to be part of.” 

Fellow Queensland jockey and reigning Premier Apprentice Emily Lang said she would be riding at Oaks Day for the first time. 

“I think it’s the ultimate place to be on June 6 in Queensland,” Ms Lang said. 

“It’s quite an exciting time of year being halfway through the winter carnival; it's Queensland's time to shine on a global stage, attracting a lot of local and interstate jockeys and we get a really big crowd here.” 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Meg Sydes, 0448 114 869