Club President, David Culley, Vice-president Catherine Culley and owner of the property, James Carr, met with a Racing NSW official from Queanbeyan to inspect the race track prior to the race meeting.  Photographs of the track were sent to Racing NSW’s Sydney officials and the track was deemed unfit for racing.

After lengthy negotiations with Racing NSW the committee was unable to find any options to hold the race meeting as the track consultant’s opinion was that, with three weeks until the event, there was nothing to be done to remedy the situation.

The Race Club committee deeply regrets having to take this action and is fully aware of preparations being made by race patrons and local businesses in the lead up to the race meeting.

Committee members understand that the safety of jockeys and horses is paramount to the day’s success, but the loss of this event has a far reaching impact on potential financial and social benefits for local businesses and race goers.

Refunds will be processed for sponsorship, guest tickets, tent sites and membership over the next week. Bus tickets will be refunded on return of tickets to the place of purchase (ie Top Pub or Chataway Café).  Contact Club President David Culley on 0458 152410 or secretary Dianne Layden on 0466 996426 for more information.

With the 2015 Binda Picnics cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control, the Club is now working towards the 2016 race meeting. Racing NSW has been asked to provide a copy of the track standards guidelines so that the race club committee can investigate methods of meeting the standards for next year’s race meeting.

The Club would like to thank sponsors, members and supporters for their support of this historic event.

This year’s sponsors are: Century 21, SWL Chartered Accountants, Herries Davidson & Co Chartered Accountants, McGeechan Farm Supplies, Greenleaf Agronomy, Funny Hill Dreamers Syndicate, Combined Agwork,  Laggan Hotel, Crookwell Hotel Motel, Goulburn Race Club, R J McCarthy and Co,  Sally Milner Publishing, Binda Store, Viewfield Herefords, Dawson and Partners,  Culley Veterinary Services, Karen Smith Dog Training, JD’s Hardware,  D and W Earthmoving, Hart’s Pharmacy, Fullerton Station, Jacqueline Gore and Associates, Kingsvale Pastoral Co, Samuel Martin and Rogerson, Bryton Wools, Lindner Socks, Spackman Motors, Nicholson Farm Machinery, IGA Supermarket.  Crookwell Veterinary Hospital provides vet services on race day.

Fashion on the Field sponsors are: eMllie, Jewellers @ Crookwell, Bushranges,  Stella’s Aveda Spa, Your Home Matters and the Crown Theatre Café.

The Crookwell District Picnic Race Club committee has been overwhelmed by the support shown from members of the community and patrons of the event from many other areas offering assistance to help the Club race in 2016.  A number of sponsors, bookmakers and members have declined the offer of a refund, opting to put their contribution towards next year’s race meeting.

“We will do everything in our power to bring racing back to Binda in 2016,” said Race Club President, David Culley.