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Race, Ride & Shear: Junee Pacers Cup set to light up Showgrounds

Published

2 weeks ago

January 19, 2026

Junee Pacers Cup 2025 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

THE biggest night on Junee’s racing calendar is fast approaching, with the Junee Harness Racing Club set to host its flagship meeting at the Junee Showgrounds this weekend.

The Junee Pacers Cup is the highlight of the club’s five-meeting annual racing calendar and is expected to draw hundreds of locals and visitors for an evening that blends high-quality harness racing with family-friendly entertainment.

Racing will take centre stage from 6.43pm on Saturday, January 24, headlined by the $18,000 Pacers Cup, but the action begins well before the first race, with gates opening at 2pm and entertainment starting from 3pm.

Junee Pacers Cup 2025 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Junee Pacers Cup 2025 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

One of the major drawcards returning for its second year is the popular speed shearing competition, sponsored by Junee Prime Lamb.

The contest will run throughout the afternoon and evening, offering more than $10,000 in total prize money across four divisions.

Junee’s inaugural Speed Shear contest at the Junee Pacers Cup in 2025 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Junee’s inaugural Speed Shear contest at the Junee Pacers Cup in 2025 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Last year’s inaugural event proved a standout, with large crowds converging on the Showgrounds to watch shearers go head-to-head in front of enthusiastic punters.

Families will also be well catered for, with a full slate of activities including mini trotters, live music, face painting, a jumping castle, a mechanical bull, and a range of food options such as an ice cream van, woodfired pizza and a traditional canteen.

TAB facilities and a full bar will operate throughout the night.

Admission is set at $10 for adults and $5 for pensioners, with free entry for children.

This year’s Cup continues the event’s return to its traditional home in Junee following a period of uncertainty.

While the meeting was held in town in 2025, the 2024 Cup was relocated to Wagga after the Junee Harness Racing Club was unable to reach an agreement with the Junee Showground Trust.

Support from Harness Racing NSW and further negotiations ultimately secured the Cup’s long-term return to Junee.

With top-tier racing, strong prize money, and a full program of entertainment, organisers are expecting another strong turnout as the town once again hosts its premier night of harness racing.