For Amy Forrester and Jess Palmer, the Landor Races aren’t just a race meet, they’re a return to something deeply familiar and fiercely loved.
“I’ve been coming to Landor since I was a kid,” says Amy. “I have lots of family who have grown up in the area and have a lot to do with the races, so it holds a special place in my heart.”
Jess echoes that sentiment. “Landor is unique in that it’s like a big family reunion every year, with no phone service to interrupt a good catch-up. The red dust just seeps into your veins somehow, and you always need to go back to fill the soul up again.”
(Image: Amy is all smiles after winning The Power Family Plate aboard the former Pearce Racing trained Mystery Bullet)
Held annually in October at Landor Station in Western Australia’s East Gascoyne region, the Landor Races are a traditional bush race meeting that’s been running since 1921. The racecourse, located about 30 kilometres from the station, offers a breathtaking journey through the outback, vast plains, rugged ranges, and landscapes rich with native flora and fauna.
Getting there is part of the adventure. “You can go through Meekatharra, where the road gets bumpy and remote,” says Amy. “Or through the Murchison, which means more dirt roads but great scenery. The remoteness is what makes it so unique.”
That isolation is part of Landor’s charm, but it also presents challenges, especially on the track.
“The track is by far the hardest I’ve ridden on,” Amy says. “It has a very tight turn into a very short straight, so you need to be smart about how you come into the corner. Even a slight shift outwards and you can bet there’s someone behind you waiting to take the gap.”
Jess, who’s been riding at Landor since she was 17, returned to race riding this year after a five-year break to raise her children. “I think it’s the thrill of being able to race as an amateur up there, as well as the general feel of the weekend,” she says. “Each win has a different feel, they’re all amazing, but some are just so special you can’t describe the feeling.”
(Image: Jess Palmer celebrates the Landor Cup win aboard Gin ‘N’ Swanic)
This year, Jess had one of those moments. “I had a win on Mum’s horse, which made my weekend. With it being my comeback year, I had little expectations, and getting a win was icing on the cake. Then I came out and won the Elders Landor Cup. I’m still pinching myself days later!”
Unlike regular race meetings, Landor doesn’t use starting gates. Instead, horses begin with ‘walk-up starts’.
“As a rider, we need to be fast track licensed through RWWA,” Jess explains. “Each horse must have trialled or raced in the past 12 months, and trainers need to be licensed too. It means there’s a general standard of safety, which is great.”
(Image: Jess with her family and the East Gascoyne Race Club committee after the Cup victory)
For those new to Landor, Jess says there’s always a way in. “If you don’t have connections, get in touch with an existing trainer, there’ll always be rides available. Landor is a place where amateur jockeys are wanted and needed.”
Beyond the racing, Landor is packed with tradition and community spirit. “It’s run by a very dedicated and passionate group who all have some sort of family or community connection to Landor and its history,” says Amy.
Jess adds, “Landor has such a vibe. There’s so much to do, from sitting around a fire to watching the races. Saturday evening is Ball night, usually themed and a lot of fun. Nothing like red dust and a ball gown!”
The weekend unfolds with Saturday’s race day, featuring the Ladies Bracelet, followed by Sunday’s gymkhana for kids and adults. Monday wraps up with another race day, fashions on the field, the finals of the $1000 barrel race, and the feature event, the Landor Cup.
There’s no phone reception, which only adds to the atmosphere. “Everyone is so present,” says Amy. “The bookies on course are it for the punters, so there’s always lots of healthy bartering going on.”
It’s this blend of tradition, grit, and outback spirit that makes Landor unlike anywhere else.
“I think until people go and experience it for themselves,” says Amy, “they can’t really understand what it’s like.”