Inglis Challenge added to Wagga Gold Cup day card in 2026

The $200,000 Inglis Challenge for two-year-olds will be staged on Wagga Gold Cup day in 2026.

Inglis has partnered with the Murrumbidgee Turf Club (MTC) to position the Challenge on one of Australia’s premier country racing carnivals, with the prizemoney matching that of the Wagga Gold Cup to become the equal richest race in the club’s history.

The 1200-metre event, to be run on May 1, will be open to all Inglis graduates paid up for the Inglis Race Series and will form part of the broader $12 million Inglis Race Series program.

It had been one of the feature races during the two-day Scone Cup carnival.

Inglis chief executive Sebastian Hutch said the company was excited to align one of its flagship race series events with a meeting of such scale and tradition.

“The Wagga Gold Cup carnival is traditionally one of the best supported country carnivals in Australia and for Inglis to have one of our Race Series events as part of Wagga Gold Cup day is a huge thrill,” Hutch said.

Hutch said Wagga’s central location would ensure strong participation from both NSW and Victorian stables.

“With the Challenge being open to a broader cross-section of horses this year, the location of Wagga means the race is just as accessible for Victorian-based horses as it is for those in NSW,” he said.

MTC chief executive Jason Ferrario said securing the Inglis Challenge represented a significant milestone for the carnival.

“Inglis is one of the most highly respected brands in world racing, so to be able to link up with them and host a leg of their lucrative $12 million Inglis Race Series at our Gold Cup Carnival is a massive coup,” he said.

Ferrario said the addition of the Inglis Challenge would further enhance an already strong Cup day program and provide a valuable target for trainers across all levels.