Thousands of racegoers have descended on Broome for the annual Broome Cup, bringing a weekend of racing, fashion and tourism to the Kimberley town.
The event has drawn visitors from across Western Australia and interstate, with businesses across Broome also experiencing increased demand during the Cup weekend.
From the crowds at the track to fully booked accommodation, the Broome Cup has become one of the town’s biggest annual events.
The elaborate race day fashion and months of preparation behind the scenes have helped make the Broome Cup one of the town’s main events, bringing locals and visitors together.
Alan Keyser flew to Broome from Melbourne to experience the Broome Cup for himself.
“I just saw the Cup was on and decided it looked like a great experience, and I should fly and attend,” he said.
“I’m here for the punting and will leave early. That’s my focus.”
For others, it is the atmosphere of the track that keeps them coming back.
Racegoer Jody Williams said “fashion, fun, drinks, girlfriends and beautiful weather” were what brought her back to the Broome Cup each year.
This year, she spent four months preparing her outfit before taking part in Fashions on the Field for the first time. Several well-dressed participants took to the runway as the annual tradition continued to be a popular part of the day for racegoers.
The impact of Cup weekend is also felt beyond the track, with accommodation and hospitality businesses experiencing strong demand from visitors.
Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa manager Stuart Kentish said the resort was fully booked over Cup weekend, with many guests securing their accommodation well in advance.
“We often have guests rebook for the following year as they check out, and then also experience a surge in bookings three months before the event,” he said.
“Most guests are aware of the limited room inventory, so tend to get in early.”
Stuart estimated about 95 per cent of the resort’s guests during Cup weekend were in Broome specifically for the Cup, even if they did not attend the event themselves.
“Guests are here for fun rather than relaxation, which is the big change in behaviour over the Cup period.”
Stuart said the benefits were felt across the town, including by bus companies, tour operators, local shops, petrol stations and hospitality venues.
Behind the crowds, fashion and celebrations is the preparation required to get horses and jockeys ready for the starting gates.
Seven-time Broome Cup winner and now jockey coach Peter Hall said much of the work involved in racing happens well before spectators arrive at the track.
“The young apprentices and I are here early. We walk the track just to get a feel of it,” he said.
“Everyone will be starting to feel a bit anxious but will be pretty keen to go when the Cup comes around.”
The Kimberley racing season attracts jockeys, trainers and racing participants from across Western Australia.
Hall said Cup Day had a special atmosphere because it was one of the bigger events on the WA racing calendar.
By the time the gates open and the Broome Cup winner crosses the finish line, the day has been about much more than just racing.
For some, it is about the racing, while for others, it is the fashion, friends and atmosphere. But as the crowds leave the track, one thing is clear: the Broome Cup has become much more than a day at the races, it is a weekend that brings the whole town to life.
