The regional city of Wagga Wagga, on the Murrumbidgee River, in the Riverina region of New South Wales is the largest inland city in the state. The area was first inhabited by the Wiradjuri people prior to the first European explorers arriving in 1829 when Charles Sturt discovered the area. Within a short while squatters began arriving in their droves. Today the city has a population in excess of 54,000 and is the home of the Murrumbidgee Turf Club. Racing in Wagga can be traced back to 1849 when the first Cup was contested and won by Ajax owned by Mr Thomas Hanley. The Murrumbidgee Turf Club was formed on 5th June 1860 and continues to be successful today, staging at least 25 meetings annually, with the highlight of the racing calendar being two days in May when on consecutive days the Wagga Town Plate over 1200 metres and the Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres are staged. The Cup was first run in 1873 when Mountaineer was successful, although on each of the previous two years the race was known as the Free Handicap.

19th century Wagga Gold Cup winners
(Full details of all winners is available on request)
1873 Wagga Gold Cup (£400) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Mountaineer owned by Mr H J Bowler and ridden by J Layton
1874 Wagga Gold Cup (£500) over 1 ¼ miles was won by The Diver owned by Mr C M Lloyd and ridden by W Yeomans
1875 Wagga Gold Cup (1000 guineas) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Cleolite owned by Mr P Perslow and ridden by W Murphy
1876 Wagga Gold Cup (1000 guineas) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Sterling owned by Mr T Ivory and ridden by Paddy Pigott
1877 Wagga Gold Cup (1000 guineas) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Janitor owned and trained by J Mayo and ridden by Ramsey
1878 Wagga Gold Cup (£500) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Woodlands owned by J Silberberg and ridden by B Colley
1879 Wagga Gold Cup (£500) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Sweetmeat owned by T Ivory and ridden by D Nicholson
1880 Wagga Gold Cup (£300) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Lord Burghley owned by Mr T Ivory and ridden by Paddy Pigott
1881 Wagga Gold Cup (£200) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Martindale owned by Mr J Kean and ridden by W Yeomans
1882 Wagga Gold Cup (£200) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Cunnenuila owned by Mr W R Hall and ridden by J Norton
1883 Wagga Gold Cup (£300) over 1 ¼ miles was won by The Drummer owned by Mr A F Smart and ridden by W Yeomans
1884 Wagga Gold Cup (£300) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Impule owned by Mr W J Thorgood and ridden by M Harris
1885 Wagga Gold Cup (£300) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Minerva owned by Mr H J Bowler and ridden by W Curran
1886 Wagga Gold Cup (£300) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Invermay owned by Mr P Hann and ridden by R Smith
1887 Wagga Gold Cup (£300) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Pasha owned by Mr H Oxenham and ridden by White
1888 Wagga Gold Cup (£200) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Drumstick owned by Mr P Heffernan and ridden by W Williams
1889 Wagga Gold Cup (£150) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Drumstick owned by Mr P Heffernan and ridden by W Williams
1890 Wagga Gold Cup (£125) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Yunko owned by Mr P Confoy and ridden by J Siely
1891 Wagga Gold Cup (£120) over 1 ¼ miles was famously won by Two Up owned by Mr G Woodbridge and ridden by F Stanmore, but the Stewards declared it a false start and ordered a re-run which Two Up duly won
1892 Wagga Gold Cup (£150) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Associate owned by Mr W Yeomans who had already won the race 3 times as a jockey, and ridden by G Robson
1893 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Whisht owned by Mr H V Foy and ridden by J Gough
1894 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Taranshi owned by Mr S L West and ridden by J McFarlane
1895 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Waterfall owned by Mr H Oxenham and ridden by W Delaney
1896 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Inverday owned by Mr J Dawson and ridden by A Hammill
1897 Wagga Gold Cup was not contested
1898 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Roseleaf owned by Mr E Davis and ridden by T Swann
1899 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Lee Morna owned by Mr W H Mate and ridden by J Gainsford

Early 20th Century Wagga Cup winners
(A full list is available on request)
1900 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Eulong owned by Mr J D Rand and ridden by R Lewis
1901 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Kipling owned by Mr J J McGrath and ridden by F Kuhn
1902 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Rose owned by Mr R Hoysted and ridden by R Piper
1903 Wagga Gold Cup was not contested
1904 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Manason owned by Mr Thomas Daley and ridden by J Galiskill
1905 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by First May owned by Mr J J McGrath and  ridden by A Hyland, the first of his 3 winners
1906 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Jacqueline owned by Mr J J McGrath and ridden by A C Thomas
1907 Wagga Gold Cup (£80) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Kiwi owned by Mr P & W Mitchell and ridden by S D Fisher
1908 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Lady Melena owned by Mr R Hoysted and ridden by P Hoysted
1909 Wagga Gold Cup (£80) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Barrenjoey owned by Mr H P Chew and ridden by S Waddupa
1910 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Admirer owned by Mr P Heffernan and ridden by P Kuhn
1911 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Yuranigh’s Daughter owned by Mr V Devlin and ridden by P Brown
1912 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Minea owned by Mr E Robertson and ridden by G Willis
1913 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Loch Amos owned by Mr R Hoysted and ridden by J E Pike
1914 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Quickberry owned by Mr F McAllister and  ridden by A Hyland, the second of his three winners
1915 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Sans Appel owned by Mr J T Whitehead and ridden by R Parkhurst
1916 Wagga Gold Cup (£90) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Bundong owned by Mr J Pierce and ridden by F Dempsey
1917 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Royal Dude owned by the O’Brien Brothers and ridden by R Parkhurst
1918 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Will Mac (4/1) owned by Mr W M Ball and ridden by A Hyland, beating Jarvan Queen (20/1) and Irish Song (7/1) 7 ran

Between Wars Wagga Cup winners
(A full list of winners is available on request)
1919 Wagga Gold Cup (100 sovereigns) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Lady Narcissa (4/1) owned by Mr C J H Nisson and ridden by W Stuart, beating Vauntress (3/1) and Varcos (10/1) 8 ran
1920 Wagga Gold Cup (£200) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Ulandra (2/1 jt fav) owned by Mr M Sawyer and ridden by J Toohey, the first of his 5 winning rides in the race, beating Tresco (6/1) and Golden Desert (2/1 jt fav) 8 ran
1921 Wagga Gold Cup (£200) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Herston (5/1) owned by Mr W M McQueen and ridden by O’Sullivan, beating Nautch Girl (5/1) and Miss Antoinette (Evens fav) 6 ran
1922 Wagga Gold Cup (£200) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Craonne (10/1) owned by Mr J Beaver and ridden by M Sawyer, beating Ulandra (5/4 fav) and All Hallow (20/1) 8 ran
1923 Wagga Gold Cup (£400) over 1 ¼ miles, was the Jubilee running of the race and was won by Sea Risk (3/1) owned by Mr E D Blumfield and ridden by J Toohey, beating Alorne (7/2) and Pennyform (12/1) 15 ran
1924 Wagga Gold Cup (500 sovereigns) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Ulandra (10/1) owned by Mr M Sawyer and ridden by J Toohey, beating Fair Rosaleen (4/1) and Red Heart (10/1) 16 ran
1925 Wagga Gold Cup (£600) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Fair Rosaleen owned by Mr F McGrath and  ridden by J Toohey, the fourth of his five wins
1926 Wagga Gold Cup (£600) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Valamita owned by Mr F Taverna and ridden by E Bartle
1927 Wagga Gold Cup (£1000) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Amounis owned by Mr W Pearson and  ridden by J Toohey, the last of his five wins
1928 Wagga Gold Cup (£1000) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Charlot owned by Mr R N McLean and Mr F Collins and ridden by J Daniels
1929 Wagga Gold Cup (£1000) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Kalloni owned by Mr G L Scott and ridden by E Bartle
1930 Wagga Gold Cup (£1000) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Bawn-na-glas owned by Mr F Graham and ridden by J Simpson
1931 Wagga Gold Cup (£300) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Advertiser owned by Mr W Ball and ridden by H Perry, beating Borcello
1932 Wagga Gold Cup (£150) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Dubup owned by Mr J Curphy and ridden by J Pratt
1933 Wagga Gold Cup (£125) over 1 ¼ miles was won by War Farr owned by Mr J Whiticker and ridden by G Stephens
1934 Wagga Gold Cup (£150) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Australia Fair owned by Mr F McGrath and ridden by K Cook
1935 Wagga Gold Cup (£200) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Tapestry owned by Mr F Jason and ridden by R Parsons, beating Volwood
1936 Wagga Gold Cup (£300) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Tapestry owned by Dr Steel and ridden by R Parsons, beating Opinion and Moongulla
1937 Wagga Gold Cup (£400) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Boyfred owned by Mr E M Perdriou and ridden by F Hickey
1938 Wagga Gold Cup (£450) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Glenwitch owned by Mr H J Hawes and ridden by R Heather
In 1939 the Cup was a replica of the first Cup contested in Wagga on St Patrick’s Day 1849 when won by Ajax owned by Mr Thomas Hanley
1939 Wagga Gold Cup (£450) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Saul owned by Mrs O Mel and ridden by H Foster, beating Manuforti and Adonis 12 ran
1940 Wagga Gold Cup (£450) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Red Relish owned by Mr J Ewart and Mr J F Curtis and ridden by J Duncan, beating Prairie Dale and Glenfino
1941 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Fearless (6/1) owned by Mr C M Sawyer and ridden by F Hickey, beating The Squire (5/2 fav) and Many Ways (6/1) 11 ran
1942 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Bragger (5/2) owned by Mr T J Smith and ridden by J Thompson, beating Pannett (6/1) and Footmark (10/1) 11 ran
1943 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by Lancambre (2/1) owned by Mr C Harrold and ridden by A Gollogly, beating Murrumba (9/2) and Damocles (8/1) 5 ran
1944 Wagga Gold Cup (£100) over 1 ¼ miles was won by High Notions (5/1) ridden by Scobie Breasley, beating Lucille (5/4 fav) and Lemhurst (2/1)
1945 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Dan Patch, beating Farmhand and Grahamstown

Post Second World War Wagga Cup winners
(A full list of winners is available on request)
1946 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Peter, beating Caladin and The Trapper
1947 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Clyde, beating Tattling and Stage Law
1948 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Collison, beating Trumps and Megaron
1949 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Collison, beating Bolivia and Leetona
1950 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Photon, beating Marcher and Peter Robinson
1951 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Shining Ray, beating Photon and Blue Ocean
1952 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by High Sense, beating Shining Ray and Capias
1953 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Two Birdies, beating Belavia and Tarrawingee
1954 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Buthus, beating Easy Ride and Mooncoin
1955 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Cherry Wood, beating Mooncoin and Off Hand
1956 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Golden Snows, beating Bingagong and French Beau
1957 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Flash Gem, beating Commence and Mangopiah
1958 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Flash Gem, beating Buddong and Ulandra
1959 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Gipsy Creek, beating Flash Gem and Humber Hawk
1960 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Maori Prince, beating Avon d’Or and Gipsy Creek
1961 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Pyaray, beating Flash Gem and Crystal Port
1962 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Ribbonwood, beating La Jolia and Murchison
1963 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Lucky Concession, beating Politician and Lady Java
1964 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Bullara, beating Pale Face and Slasher
1965 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Vignoble, beating Ribbonwood and Pale Face
1966 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Man About Town, beating Glo Whirl and Terelyan
1967 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by What Fun, beating Gloves Off and Vignoble
1968 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by What Fun, beating Grey Parade and Elf Boy
1969 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Chanel, beating Blow Hard and Star Field
1970 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Super Gem, beating Grand Canyon and Temple Court
1971 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Talent Beau, beating Dark Raven and Coltimor
1972 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Delamar, beating Coltimor and Bordeaux
1973 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Red Hope, beating Mr Timor and Ferocious
1974 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Broadway Hit, beating By Command and Mr Timor
1975 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Arctic Island, beating Sequester and Red Hope
1976 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Double Cop, beating Bronco Boy and a dead-heat between Helmsman and Golden Button
1977 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Captaincy, beating Smokewood and Gala Choice
1978 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Double Cop, beating Nimmity Lad and Carls Gift
1979 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Big Bickies, beating Manora and Hearts Are Trumps
1980 Wagga Gold Cup over 1 ¼ miles was won by Big Bickies, beating Airman and King Green
1981 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Allez Bijou, beating Light Wish and Paignton
1982 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Sean’s Pride, beating Shadameneo and Flairgun
1983 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Madame Monet, beating So Good and Hussar’s Command
1984 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Allez Bijou, beating Shadameneo and Kalimna Queen
1985 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Pride of Indies, beating Godarchi and Loyal And True
1986 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Poachinellar, beating In The Field and Pride of Indies
1987 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Sordon Lad, beating All Spades and Amir
1988 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Sasha Bijou, beating Pass The Hat and All Spades
1989 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Abstraction, beating Deleclair and Corkage
1990 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Mill Court, beating Stirring and Port Kingdom
1991 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Greenback, beating Moville Peter and Polyphony
1992 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Fleet Dancer, beating Touson and Mill Court
1993 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Antwerp, beating Golden Step and Moville Peter
1994 Wagga Gold Cup was not contested
1995 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Top Guy, beating Cheunganoff and Soup Kitchen
1996 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Nobellotto, beating Cheunganoff and Dupain
1997 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Here’s The Prince, beating Kenbelle and Jovial Dancer
1998 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Chance Affair, beating Star Covet and Shearer Claude
1999 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Goodwood, beating Ronzino and Count Scenario
2000 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Sporting, beating Kugelhopf and Lady Alate
2001 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Regal Touch, beating Viva La Vie and Norm’s Bridle
2002 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Call My Lily, beating Bedouin and Hydromaster
2003 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Kreisler Mirage, beating Majestically and Johnny Reb
2004 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Vanquished, beating Not Fussy and Maskerado
2005 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Natural Blitz, beating My Telly and Xlerate
2006 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Mc Lir, beating Jamberoo and Prime Century
2007 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Fooram, beating Mi Casa and El Meroo
2008 Wagga Gold Cup over 2000 metres was won by Tommifrancs, beating Limani and Grand Zulu
2009 Wagga Gold Cup ($84,500) over 2000 metres was won by Macknuckle (9/2) trained by Bernie Howlett and ridden by Bredon Ward, beating Cape Breton and Penrickson 14 ran
2010 Wagga Gold Cup ($84,500) over 2000 metres was won by Sainthood (5/2) trained by Rick Worthington and ridden by Glen Boss, beating Barlagarney and Twin Wing 10 ran
2011 Wagga Gold Cup ($91,000) over 2000 metres was won by Voice Commander (100/30) trained by Nick Olive and ridden by Kathy O’Hara, beating World Wide and Ironstein 14 ran
2012 Wagga Gold Cup ($84,000) over 2000 metres was won by Coliseo (10/1) trained by Norm Gardner and ridden by Jeff Penza, beating Devised and Rain Drum 16 ran
2013 Wagga Gold Cup ($84,000) over 2000 metres was won by Scream Machine (9/1) trained by Jason Coyle and ridden by Tim Clark, beating Devised and Coliseo 15 ran
2014 Wagga Gold Cup (£84,000) over 2000 metres was won by Trade Commission (7/4 fav) trained by Chris Waller and ridden by Craig Newitt, beating Beyond Thankful and Price of Glory 16 ran
2015 Wagga Gold Cup ($84,000) over 2000 metres was won by Landlocked (6/1) trained by Joe Cleary and ridden by Glen Boss, beating Faust and Gypsy Diamond 16 ran
2016 Wagga Gold Cup ($90,000) over 2000 metres was won by Messene (9/4) trained by Michael Wayne and John Hawkes and ridden by Blake Shinn, beating Iggi Pop and Adirondack 15 ran
2017 Wagga Gold Cup ($84,750) over 2000 metres was won by Stampede (13/2) trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and ridden by Rachel King, beating Life Less Ordinary and Cool Chap 14 ran

As well as hosting the Wagga Gold Cup, normally on the first Friday in May, the Murrumbidgee Turf Club also stage the Town Plate over 1200 metres the day before.
Recent winners of the Town Plate
(A full list of winners is available on request)
2009 Wagga Town Plate ($39,000) over 1200 metres was won by Wasted Emotions (5/2) trained by Danny Williams and ridden by Hugh Bowman, beating Morning Time and Century Serb 16 ran
2010 Wagga Town Plate ($39,000) over 1200 metres was won by News Alert (10/11 fav) trained by Con Karakat Sanis and ridden by Hugh Bowman, beating Happy Finish and Zarvista 14 ran
2011 Wagga Town Plate ($42,250) over 1200 metres was won by How Much My Love (12/1) trained by Danny Williams and ridden by Chad Schofield, beating Kenny’s World and Onthelookout 14 ran
2012 Wagga Town Plate ($42,250) over 1200 metres was won by Adamon (20/1) trained by Nathan McPherson and ridden by Blake Shinn, beating Vilakazi Street and Onthelookout 16 ran
2013 Wagga Town Plate ($47,960) over 1200 metres was won by Unanimously (100/30) trained by Matthew Dale and ridden by Glyn Schofield, beating Vilakazi Street and Skateboard 16 ran
2014 Wagga Town Plate ($51,010) over 1200 metres was won by Unanimously (6/4 fav) trained by Matthew Dale and ridden by Blake Shinn, beating Grey Dawn and Living On A Prayer 15 ran
2015 Wagga Town Plate ($60,160) over 1200 metres was won by Got The Goss (5/2) trained by Trevor McIlrich and ridden by Brendan Ward, beating Loved Up and Calke Abbey 16 ran
2016 Wagga Town Plate ($60,160) over 1200 metres was won by Just A Blur (7/1) trained by Barbara Joseph and Paul Jones and ridden by Mathew Cahill, beating Sure and Fast and Hill Spy 15 ran
2017 Wagga Town Plate ($62,150) over 1200 metres was won by Santa Ana Lane (9/1) trained by Lee and Anthony Freedman and ridden by Mark Pegus, beating Lord Van Costa and Hermosa Beach 16 ran

ISBN 978-0-9957632-0-3

652 pages

774 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-1-0

352 pages

400 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-2-7

180 pages

140 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-3-4

264 pages

235 former courses