Enjoy a fun family day out at the 2026 Caragabal Sheep Races. Image credit: Stuart Walmsley.
Two decades on, the sheep still don’t run straight, and Caragabal wouldn’t have it any other way.
One of Australia’s quirkiest race days turns 20 this year when the Delta Ag ‘Caragabal Sheep Races’ return to the historic railway village of Caragabal on Saturday 12 September 2026.
Featuring ‘Shorn But Not Forgotten’, ‘Marilyn Marino’ and ‘Tom Shanks’, the sheep clearly haven’t read the form guide, but their names capture the fun spirit of this regional community.
There are seven action packed sheep races and a ‘Fun in the Field’ (human) dress up competition. Kids will adore the beloved ‘lolly drop’, a Caragabal institution that sees a crop-duster plane fly over and rain lollies down for the kids to collect.
The Sheep Races began in 2006 as a lifeline, not a novelty. With drought biting and the local country club at risk of closing, locals dreamt up the strange fundraiser which has kept this farming community connected and laughing.
“We’re so excited to celebrate the 20th milestone and encourage locals and visitors to come along and bid on their favourite sheep.” said Karen Pollock, Event Organiser, Delta Ag Caragabal Sheep Races.
Kids are encouraged to chase the sheep down the race-track to help them finish, there are great prizes, food trucks with gourmet pizza and gozleme, and free camping on the golf course. By nightfall enjoy fire pits and live music from The Young Ones.
Free camping is available all weekend at the Country Club, so visitors are encouraged to make a weekend of it. Enjoy the Caragabal Pub on Friday night with food and live music, and a food truck with breakfast and lunch on Sunday.