The New South Wales township of Bong Bong is in the Southern Highlands region of the state and was spotted by the state Governor Lachlan Macquarie as a suitable site for a Military Station. It developed into a thriving town in the late 1820s and was served by a railway line until 1867 when the line was redirected towards neighbouring Moss Vale. Although the town declined afterwards, within 20 years a station had opened in Bong Bong in 1878 on the main railway line, but it too closed in 1913. Despite this it has its own racecourse where racing is overseen by the Bong Bong Picnic Race Club. It hosts one meeting annually, traditionally in late November, where the feature race is the Bong Bong Picnic Cup over 1560 metres which was first won by Don Antonio. Famously, a past Bong Bong Cup winner, Purser in 1921, went on to win the Caulfield Cup 3 years later in 1924. The club was founded in 1886, although it did not hold its inaugural meeting until Friday 4th February 1887 on Mr P H Throsby’s Throsby Park Estate, about 3 miles from Moss Vale, attended by His Excellency Lord Carrington the Club’s Patron, with race details shown below. It left Throsby Park and now races at Wyeera Racecourse in Bowral, although it did pass through a tricky period in the late 1980s when racing lapsed. Meetings returned in 1992 and today. Once more, the Bong Bong Picnic races are thriving, popular meetings enjoyed by thousands.
Friday 4th February 1887
Bong Bong Trial Stakes
1. Eric owned by Mr /Mrs J & H Chisholm and ridden by Acraman
2. Montrose owned and ridden by Mr T Graham
3. Bellringer owned by Mr H Osborne and ridden by Gibson
Bong Bong Cup over 1 ½ miles
1. Don Antonio owned by Mr/Mrs J & H Chisholm and ridden by Acraman
2. Surplice owned by Mr/Mes A C & R Gibson and ridden by Gibson
3. Jasper owned by Mr P C Cordeaux and ridden by Cordeaux
Ladies’ Bracelet
1. Eric owned by Mrs H Chisholm and ridden by Acraman
2. The Crow owned by Mrs MacArthur and ridden by C Gibson
3. Gordon owned by Miss E Nicholson and ridden by Nicholson
Wingecarribee Plate
1. Surplice owned by Mr/Mrs A C & R Gibson and ridden by Gibson
2. Busybody owned by Mr Hillas & Mr Pearce
Bong Bong Picnic Race
1. Tim owned by Mr H E Kater and ridden by Wynne
2. Midnight owned by Mr P H Throsby and ridden by Betts
3. Ponto owned by Mr T Graham and ridden by Johnny Rotton
Bachelors’ Bag
1. Don Antonio owned by Mr/Mrs J & H Chisholm and ridden by Acraman
2. TY owned by Mr P H Throsby and ridden by Betts
3. Triton owned by Mr T W Lacey and ridden by Graham
The next year the meeting was staged on Friday 3rd February on Mr P H Throsby’s Estate. The feature race was the second running of the Bong Bong Cup over 1 ½ miles:-
Bong Bong Cup over 1 ½ miles
1. Bando owned by Mr B D Sweetland
2. Rainbow owned by Mr Cruickshank
3. Virago owned by Mr E Boyd
On Thursday 15th January 1891 the fifth annual meeting was held during a sad time because the President of the Club, Mr P H Throsby, had just lost his wife. The main event of the day, the Bong Bong Picnic Cup over 1 ½ miles was won by Rosebranch:-
Bong Bong Picnic Cup over 1 ½ miles
1. Rosebranch (4/1) owned by Mr A H MacArthur and ridden by Acraman
2. Wynella (3/1) owned by Mr A G De Lauret and ridden by H Cox
3. Zouave (6/1) owned by Mr R Allen and ridden by E Blomfield
Bong Bong Cup Winners
(Full list of winners on application)
1887 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Don Antonio owned by Mr/Mrs J & H Chisholm and ridden by Acraman, beating Surplice and Jasper
1888 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Bando owned by Mr B D Sweetland, beating Rainbow and Virago
1889 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Tirranna owned by Messrs A C & R Gibson and ridden by Gibson, beating Killarney and Mainstone
1890 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Kingaley owned by Mr G Cruickshank, beating Sardinia and Tirranna
1891 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Rosebranch (4/1) owned by Mr A H MacArthur and ridden by Acraman, beating Wynella (3/1) and Zouave (6/1)
1892 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Recluse owned by Mr J Hume, beat Talwang and Bonnie Lad 3 ran
1893 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Corban owned by Mr C C Stephen and ridden by Stephen, beating Recluse and Oliver
1894 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Clive owned by Mr A E Cordeaux, beating Kettledrum owned by Mr P Osborne
1895 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Clive owned by Mr A E Cordeaux, beating Balgallal and Marveillence 5 ran
1896 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Garnet owned by Mr A E Cordeaux, beating Loch Fad owned by Mr George Osborne and Sackcloth
1897 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Feu-de-joie (2/1) owned by Mr George Osborne, beating Woodford (2/1) and Infants (5/1) 5 ran
1898 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Record owned by Mr Thomas Rutledge and ridden by C Stephen, beating Iron Duke and Algerian II 5 ran
1899 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Loch Leven (5/2) owned by Mr David Watt and ridden by Cox, beating Record (3/1) and Wollogorang (5/2) 5 ran
1900 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Goldsmith (6/4 fav) owned by Mr A Hooke and ridden by Manning, beating Loch Leven (5/1) and Woologorang (3/1) 6 ran
Note: The photos above are shown courtesy of the Sydney Mail and NSW Advertiser Saturday 26th January 1901
1901 The Bong Bong Cup was held on Thursday 17th January 1901 and was won by Merlin (2/1) owned by Mr A Hooke and ridden by W E Manning, beating Dudu (10/1) and Loch Leven (5/1). As a result of this success Mr A Hooke was able to claim the Cup outright.
1902 The New Bong Bong Cup, held at Wingercarribee Racecourse, was won in impressive style by Man O’War (1/10 fav) owned by Dr Ewan Fraser and ridden by W E White, beating The Future (14/1) owned by Mr A Hooke and ridden by W E Manning, with Wattle (25/1) owned by Mr George Osborne and ridden by J Osborne in third
1903 The Bong Bong Cup, held at the Moss Vale Racecourse, was won by Diamonds (4/1) owned by Dr Ewan Fraser and ridden by W E White, beating Loch Leven (5/2) and Ben Hur (2/1) 4 ran
1904 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Chiefswood (6/4) owned by Mr D J Watt and ridden by Colin Stephen, beating Firewater (5/4 fav) and Diamonds (5/2) 3 ran
1905 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Dalkeith owned by Mr J A Nivison and ridden by E Blomfield, beating Panama and Belle Marie
1906 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Pleasure (1/4 fav) owned by Mr D J Watt, beating Colorado (5/2) and Son & Heir (10/1) 3 ran
1907 The Bong Bong Cup was won by The Stream (2/1) owned by Dr Ewan Fraser and ridden by C R Halloran, beating Alteration (2/1) and Forelock (4/1) 5 ran
1908 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Footpad owned by Mr D J Watt and ridden by C R Halloran, beating Amera 2 ran
1909 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Flint owned by Dr Watson and ridden by W E Manning, beating Saki and UBA 3 ran
1910 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Scopas owned by Mr Ben Osborne and ridden by Roy Chisholm, beating Pioneer 2 ran
1911 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Grampian (4/6 fav) owned by Mr Oliver Osborne and ridden by C R Halloran, beating Rolled Oats (7/4) and Host (6/1) 3 ran
1912 The Bong Bong Cup, held on the New Racecourse half-way between Moss Vale and Bowral, was won by Hymeneal owned by Mr Matthew Sawyer and ridden by C Lyne, beating Sodo owned by Mr J King 2 ran
1913 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Thalmous (2/1) owned by Mr A E Cordeaux and ridden by K Austin, beating Gunning (1/3 fav) owned by Mr Gerald Massey 2 ran
1914 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Hake (5/2) owned by Mr Ben Osborne, beating Pine Park and Black Note
1915 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Single Port (2/1) owned by Mr D H McFarlane and ridden by K Austin, beating Hardy Norseman and Master Paul 6 ran
1916-1919 The Bong Bong Cup was not contested due to the First World War
1920 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Rochefort (6/4) owned by Mr F G White and ridden by K Austin, beating King of the Forest (2/1) and Ulandra (4/6 fav) 3 ran
1921 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Purser (5/4 fav) owned by Mr H L Austin and ridden by Manning, beating Rochefort (4/1) and Caperer (5/2) 4 ran
1922 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Beaumalto owned by Mr H Livingstone and ridden by Livingstone, beating Rochefort and Caperer 6 ran
1923 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Amberise owned by Mrs V S Hordern and ridden by McDonald, beating Sea Cult and Beaumalto 6 ran
1924 The Bong Bong Cup was won by CEO owned by Colonel T L Rutledge and Dr C A Verge and ridden by Austin, beating Amberise and Chackaroo 4 ran
1925 The Bong Bong Cup was won by The Wraith (4/1) owned by Mr W D Gordon and ridden by Gaxien, beating Spearpoint (8/1) and Silvercorn (Evens fav) 6 ran
1926 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Capeyllene (2/1) owned by Mr Neil McPhillamy and ridden by Austin, beating Brown Spur (4/1) and Review (4/1) 4 ran
Although the annual meeting was held for each of the next 4 years, the shadow of the days of the depression got evermore darker until the meeting lapsed after the 1930 meeting.
1927 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Bronze Fuse (4/7 fav) owned by Mr H C Osborne and ridden by Gaxlett, beating Bequest (5/4) and Scotch Warren (3/1) 3 ran
1928 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Bequest owned by Mr W D Gordon, beating Rummi and Two Diamond 6 ran
1929 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Anvil (2/1) owned by Mr A S O’Keefe and ridden by F O’Keefe, beating Bronze Fuse (4/6 fav) and Finbar (7/1) 3 ran
1930 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Kinaird (5/1) owned by Miss Mona McLarty and ridden by P Bennet, beating Chivalry (5/4) and Yambacoona (4/5 fav) 3 ran
1959 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Star Hinge
1960 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Diatribe
1961 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Gasley
1962 The Bong Bong Cup was won by White Blaze
1963 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Colza Lass
1964 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Dashing Emperor
1965 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Sea Sentinel
1966 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Thesis
1967 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Gain
1968 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Woodhawk
1969 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Bright Future
1970 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Blaze By
1971 The Bong Bong Cup was won by River Khan
1972 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Sound of Maye
1973 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Culpatara
1974 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Noble Flyer
1975 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Garswood Road
1976 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Pak King
1977 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Pearl Power
1978 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Sure and Fast
2004 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Give Way, beating Pimpala Player and Mighty Mickey
2005 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Give Way, beating Helden Park and Protective Custody
2006 The Bong Bong Cup was won by Delta Eagle, beating Ginolad and Patent
2007 The Bong Bong Cup was not contested
Recent Winners of the Bong Bong Cup
2008 The Bong Bong Cup ($8,125) over 1560 metres was won by Gangleri (7/1) trained by Darryl Rolfe and ridden by Mr B Duggan, beating Cellular and Give Way 7 ran
2009 The Bong Bong Cup ($8,125) over 1560 metres was won by Starzando (9/4 fav) trained by Bruce Cross and ridden by Mr A Wadick, beating Aftadaka and Glaswegian 5 ran
2010 The Bong Bong Cup ($8,125) over 1560 metres was won by Emulous (30/1) trained by Anthony Mountney and ridden by Ms S Weir, beating Voltabolta and Ezerico 8 ran
2011 The Bong Bong Cup ($8,775) over 1560 metres was won by So Light (10/1) trained by Sarah Murray-Leslie and ridden by Mr Lindgren, beating Sky Gaze and Mr Light 5 ran
2012 The Bong Bong Cup ($8,775) over 1560 metres was won by Haut Normandie (6/4 fav) trained by Bruce Cross and ridden by Mr D Singleton, beating Zelaating and Central Act 5 ran
2013 The Bong Bong Cup ($8,775) over 1560 metres was won by Beaveroo (7/1) trained by Stephen Schofield and ridden by Jordan Frazer, beating Central Act and Prior Baron 8 ran
2014 The Bong Bong Cup ($8,775) over 1560 metres was won by Tradtri (13/2) trained by Robert Price and ridden by Billy Owen, beating Damysus and Frankabeans 9 ran
2015 The Bong Bong Cup ($8,775) over 1560 metres was won by Colour of Money (2/1 fav) trained by James Cummings and ridden by Mr R Blewitt, beating Scottish Border and Vodnik 8 ran
2016 The Bong Bong Picnic Cup ($8,640) over 1560 metres was won by Alfred The Great (5/4 fav) trained by James Cummings and ridden by A Barton, beating Tradtri and Bossa Nova 6 ran
2017 The Bong Bong Cup meeting was abandoned
