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Harness Racing Victoria CEO Matt Isaacs said it was a \u201cterrific concept between the club and HRV, which will turn up the dial on what is already one of the great Sundays of country racing.\u201d<\/p>\nBirchip, a town famous for its bull and Australia\u2019s best vanilla slice, is now home to Victoria\u2019s first harness slot race.<\/p>\n
The $125,000 Cargill Running of the Bulls on March 8 is the newest addition to the racing calendar, which will have country Victoria at its core.<\/p>\n
Birchip Harness Racing Club secretary Brad Sharp said the concept was the realisation of a \u201cdream that has been in the pipeline for four or five years\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are over the moon to have reached this point,\u201d Sharp said. \u201cWe are so proud of our once-a-year meeting, and this new race is an incredible addition to the day in 2026 and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thanks to the generous support of\u00a0major sponsor Cargill, the feature event in Birchip will be run for\u00a0$125,000 in each of the first two years\u00a0and boasts a unique set of conditions that asks slot holders to find the right horse at just the right time in their career.<\/p>\n
\u201cI congratulate Birchip and its harness racing community in embracing this opportunity,\u201d Isaacs said. \u201cI am sure plenty will line up to be the first slot holder or trainer to win the\u00a0Running of the Bulls, and that many more will flock to be trackside on March 8.\u201d<\/p>\n
Each horse in the final field will represent one of 10 slot holders, which will include the race sponsor Cargill. The remaining nine successful parties will be chosen based on criteria, including their previous engagement and cooperation with the club and HRV, and their capacity to promote and attend the race.<\/p>\n
Slots have been set at $10,000 per year, with a two-year commitment for 2026 and 2027. Slot holder expressions of interest close on November 14, 2025, before a committee selects the successful applicants, who will then be tasked with finding their perfect horse.<\/p>\n
The 2026 race conditions have been carefully crafted to draw a field of emerging types and country warriors. They include:<\/p>\n
A 2150m pacing race for horses 4YO and older, with a preferential barrier draw (NR)
\nHorses must have a national rating of no more than 90 and have not won a race worth $50,000 or more since January 1, 2024
\nHorses with a national rating of 91+ are eligible, providing they haven\u2019t won a race worth $15,000 or more
\nThe horse must be Victorian-trained from December 1, 2025<\/p>\n
Sharp said the club had already received outstanding community support for the concept.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe club thanks Cargill Cares for getting behind us, a small group of passionate club supporters for planting the seed, and HRV for its support to make it all happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cCargill Cares is set up to support organisations and not-for-profit clubs, and we are really happy to get this project off the ground,\u201d Lee said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMyself and fellow co-chairperson, Andy Barber, are thrilled to support this event along with Cargill Cares.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe annual Birchip meeting is a special one for the local community, and it will now go to a whole new level with Victoria\u2019s very first harness slot race.\u201d<\/p>\n