Racing in Tasmania comes alive at this time of year, with the launch of the Summer Racing Festival.
Minister for Racing, Jane Howlett, said it was a great time of year for racing, with thousands of jobs supported by the three codes – thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing.
Attending the official launch today, Minister Howlett said the Government was backing in the State's racing industry.
"The Summer Racing Festival provides an important social and economic boost for Tasmania, including hospitality and small businesses," Minister Howlett said.
"The Tasmanian racing industry generates about $208 million and is vitally important to the State, especially the 6400 jobs it supports in regional Tasmania.
"As well as that, the Summer Racing Festival provides a much-needed boost to the hospitality venues and small businesses through links to fashion and retail.
"The festival features first class racing in all corners of our beautiful island across three codes of racing.
"We can't wait to showcase Tasmania's fantastic racing product, and highlight Tasmania as the true national racing and hospitality destination across summer."
The 2024/25 festival started on Wednesday, 27 November with the running of the $150,000 Newmarket for thoroughbreds over 1200m in Launceston and will finish with the $250,000 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup on 26 February 2025.
The 2024/25 festival will include the Ladbrokes Devonport, Launceston and Hobart Cups for thoroughbreds, The Chase, the Ladbrokes Hobart Thousand and the Ladbrokes Launceston Cup for greyhounds, and The Golden Apple and the Hobart and Devonport Cups for harness.
The festival, which also features harness and thoroughbred country cups in regional parts of the State, will offer prize money of more than $2.9 million over the summer.
An important part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future is supporting industry to employ more Tasmanians.
