The Kosciuszko: A Brilliant Jewel in 2025 Country Racing’s Crown:
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The Kosciuszko: A Brilliant Jewel in 2025 Country Racing’s Crown:
Each spring, as the Sydney Everest Carnival hits full stride, one race in particular brings the spotlight to regional New South Wales in a way that no other event can — The Kosciuszko. A unique and relatively new addition to the Australian racing calendar, The Kosciuszko has rapidly grown in prestige, prize money, and public appeal.
Open exclusively to country-trained horses, the race provides a dream opportunity for bush trainers and syndicates to take centre stage on one of the nation’s biggest race days.
Now offering $2 million in prizemoney, The Kosciuszko is not just a celebration of regional racing talent — it’s a platform for owners and trainers from beyond the metropolitan boundaries to compete on equal footing with the best of the best.
Origins and Concept:
The Kosciuszko was first run in 2018, introduced by Racing NSW as part of a broader strategy to enhance the reach and inclusiveness of racing across the state. Its name — taken from Australia’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko — symbolises the race’s lofty ambitions and regional heart.
The format is unlike any other in the country. Slot holders purchase $5 tickets through the TAB, entering a lottery for the chance to secure a starting position in the race. Once drawn, each slot holder can then negotiate with the owners and trainers of eligible horses for a share in their runner’s journey — and any winnings.
This makes The Kosciuszko not just a horse race, but a community-driven event that combines chance, strategy, and grassroots engagement, giving the everyday punter a shot at racing glory.
Conditions of Entry:
Only horses trained in country New South Wales are eligible for The Kosciuszko, creating a vital and lucrative opportunity for trainers who typically operate outside the metropolitan racing spotlight. This focus ensures the race remains a celebration of bush racing and provides a real commercial boost to rural stables.
The race is run over 1200 metres at Royal Randwick on The Everest Day in October, the richest day of racing on the Australian calendar. It’s a thrilling sprint that tests speed, tactical ability, and preparation — and often turns into a career-defining moment for both horse and trainer.
Rise in Prestige:
Despite its short history, The Kosciuszko has quickly developed a strong reputation for unearthing future stars and rewarding consistent country performers. Past winners include:
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Handle The Truth (2019) trained by Canberra’s Keith Dryden, who used the victory as a springboard into Group company.
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It’s Me (2020), trained by Brett Cavanough, who overcame injury setbacks and a wide run to score a thrilling win in only her fourth start.
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Art Cadeau (2021), a horse who had already built a cult following through Highway races and then etched his name into Kosciuszko history.
These winners are not just racehorses — they become symbols of what regional racing can achieve when given the right platform.
Community Impact:
One of the most endearing aspects of The Kosciuszko is its grassroots appeal. The slot-draw system ensures that anyone in NSW can participate, from city punters to country pub-goers and weekend syndicate owners. This has created an enormous sense of community involvement around the race, often resulting in pub raffles, town-wide celebrations, and regional towns rallying behind “their horse.”
The Kosciuszko is also a massive economic opportunity for regional stables. With $2 million up for grabs, including $1 million to the winner, even placing in the race can fund future expansions, better facilities, and attract more syndicate interest.
Connection to The Everest Carnival:
Scheduled alongside the $20 million Everest, The Kosciuszko shares the stage with some of the best sprinters in the world. This strategic placement ensures a massive audience, with many tuning in for the Everest but discovering The Kosciuszko in the process. It provides a unique blend of elite racing with grassroots spirit, showcasing the full spectrum of talent in Australian racing.
Racing NSW has cleverly positioned The Kosciuszko as a key part of a broader push to elevate country racing. With the addition of The Big Dance and enhancements to Country Championships, it’s now easier than ever for country stables to dream big.
Notable Contenders and Moments:
In recent years, many horses have used Highway races and Country Championships as springboards into Kosciuszko contention. Some memorable names include:
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Front Page (2022 winner), trained by Geoff Duryea, who was the subject of one of the most emotional wins in Kosciuszko history. Hailing from Corowa, the horse had been scratched from the 2021 edition due to injury but returned stronger to take out the race in front-running style.
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Mogo Magic, a rising sprint star trained by Scott Collings, has been on many radars following strong city wins and is tipped as a future Kosciuszko contender.
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Boston Rocks, a young up-and-comer showing electric speed, has been aimed at the 2025 Kosciuszko, illustrating how the race now shapes entire spring campaigns for rural stables.
These stories highlight how the Kosciuszko is more than just a race — it’s the stuff of underdog dreams and gritty determination.
What Makes It Special:
There’s something about seeing a country-trained horse storming down the Randwick straight, cheered on by a small town’s population and a syndicate of mates who might never have been to the races before. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s a reminder that racing belongs to everyone — not just the major metropolitan stables.
For trainers, it provides rare media exposure, syndicate interest, and the kind of prizemoney that can change the direction of their business. For owners, it’s an affordable way into elite racing with the added bonus of community connection. And for punters, it’s unpredictable, fun, and filled with personality.
Looking Ahead:
With prizemoney rising and more quality horses being developed in regional New South Wales, the future of The Kosciuszko looks brighter than ever. Racing NSW continues to innovate, and The Kosciuszko has proven to be one of its greatest success stories.
It is expected that the 2025 edition will be the most competitive yet, with seasoned campaigners and new talent lining up for their share of glory. Trainers are now building entire spring campaigns around this one race, and the competition to get selected through the slot system is fiercer than ever.
Final Thoughts:
The Kosciuszko has quickly become a cherished part of the Australian racing landscape. It combines the thrill of top-tier sprinting with the heart of country racing, giving underdogs their time in the sun and allowing every racing fan to dream a little bigger.
Whether you’re a trainer from Tamworth, a punter from Parkes, or just someone who loves the theatre of the turf, The Kosciuszko is a race that brings people together — and reminds us that racing is, at its best, a sport for everyone.
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