Birdsville boosts prize money and travel rebates for 2026 carnival

The Birdsville Race Club has increased prize money and travel rebates, lifting the total purse by $20,000 to a record $350,000 ahead of the September 4 and 5 meetings.

The TAB Birdsville Cup will carry prize money of $70,000, up from $60,000, while the Akubra Big Red Sprint has received a $5,000 increase to $45,000 after its successful debut in 2025.

The 13-race program will also feature two QTIS bonus races offering prize pools of $40,000 and $43,000 for eligible horses, further strengthening the meeting’s status as one of the richest in outback Australia.

Trainer travel rebates have increased by more than 50 per cent from $165 to $250 per horse per start, while jockey rebates have risen from $400 to $450 in a bid to encourage greater participation at the remote western Queensland meeting.

BRC vice-president Gary Brook said the higher rebates recognised the significant travel required to compete at the outback carnival and would help attract competitive fields while supporting trainers and jockeys.

“We were already the richest race meet in outback Queensland, and this elevates us even more,” Brook said.