Attention turns to Brisbane during the winter months with the arrival of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival. The city’s two major racecourses, Doomben and Eagle Farm, share the bulk of the action with 8 Group 1 races held in May and June.

The Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival sees many of the world’s best thoroughbred horses, jockeys and trainers converge on the city to compete for fame and fortune. Across all Group and Listed races taking place during the Carnival, more than $15 million is on the line.

The first important date for the diary is the Doomben 10,000, a 1,200m sprint held in mid-May with $1 million up for grabs and the obvious prestige that comes with winning a Group 1 race.

Doomben remains the centre of attention the following week for the Doomben Cup, before the focus shifts to Eagle Farm for a series of key racedays. Kingsford Smith Cup Day kicks off the proceedings with a star-studded schedule that includes two Group 1 races.

The Queensland Oaks is held the following weekend, and sets the scene for the biggest day of the Carnival: Stradbroke Day. The JJ Atkins Stakes and the Stradbroke Handicap are the highlights of the show, and effectively close the curtain on the Carnival in terms of major races.