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The 136th edition of the Birdsville Races began today in a cloud of dust and trackside colour, as around 5,000 punters converged on the tiny town on the edge of the Simpson Desert for the iconic two-day race meet.

Today’s six races kicked off the biggest race-card in the event’s long history, with a record number 170 acceptances for the bumper 13-race program.

Horses, trainers and jockeys from as far afield as Darwin (NT), Ballarat (VIC), Stawell (VIC), Quorn (SA), Murray Bridge (SA), Adelaide (SA), Tamworth (NSW), Wagga Wagga (NSW) and Gold Coast (QLD) flocked in for the first day of Western Queensland’s richest two-day race-meet, with racegoers dressing to the nines in fancy frocks and wild and wacky costumes.

As in previous years, Fashions on the Field was an opening day highlight, with novelty dress competitions for men, women and children.

Tomorrow sees the 2018 race program culminate with the headline 1600m UBET Birdsville Cup, which this year offers a record $40,000 – the largest prize-purse in the event’s history.

2018 also sees punters across Australia able to watch all of the action from the Birdsville Races live from the comfort of their lounge room, thanks to a new national telecast deal with Sky Racing 2.

The new deal sees the Birdsville Races’ entire 13-race card telecast into homes across Australia, with half of the wagering proceeds set to be donated to the Drought Appeal to help Queensland farmers doing it tough.

Proudly supported by Tourism and Events Queensland’s It’s Live! in Queensland major events calendar, the Birdsville Races are led by an organising committee comprised of a network of current and former residents of Birdsville, all keen to share the magic of the outback races – keeping the event alive and in the psyche of Australian punters.