Tasmanian jockey Craig Newitt is set to pursue his remarkable 10th victory in the Devonport Cup, scheduled for January 7, 2026. Newitt, who plans to spend more time in Tasmania in the coming months, expressed his enthusiasm for returning to his home state. “I have always been taught never to forget where you come from. I love coming back to Tassie,” he stated.
Newitt has achieved significant success in the Devonport Cup, winning the last two editions aboard the horse Ashy Boy, trained by Glenn Stevenson. His first win dates back to 2002. Newitt emphasized that the Devonport Cup is a primary goal each year. “It is the one race I start looking for a horse months in advance,” he added.
Ladbrokes Summer Racing Festival Overview
The Devonport Cup forms part of the prestigious Ladbrokes Summer Racing Festival. This festival commenced on November 21 in Launceston, where Barry Campbell’s Durazzo clinched the $150,000 Listed Tasmanian Newmarket Handicap. The festival will conclude on February 28, 2026, with the Group 1 Ladbrokes Tasmania Cup at Hobart.
Key Events in the Racing Festival
- Hobart and Launceston Cups: Each worth $250,000
- The Chase and the Ladbrokes Hobart Thousand: Significant greyhound races
- The Golden Apple: Involves harness racing
- Devonport Cup: Main thoroughbred event
Tasracing CEO Andrew Jenkins highlighted the importance of presenting the event as a statewide initiative. “It is crucial to position ourselves as a statewide industry to the national market,” he noted. Furthermore, Jenkins pointed out that country race days, featuring towns like Longford, St. Marys, and Burnie, attracted over 10,000 attendees during last year’s festival.
Investments and Community Engagement
Andrew Vouris, CEO of Entain Australia, expressed his commitment to Tasmanian racing. He emphasized that Ladbrokes’ involvement goes beyond sponsorship; it focuses on enhancing the racing experience. “We are looking forward to a fantastic festival of racing,” Vouris stated.
Adding a community angle, the festival includes a harness yearling sale on February 14 and the Magic Millions yearling sale on February 23 at Quercus Park, Carrick. Approximately $80,000 will be allocated to support local sporting and community clubs through the Ladbrokes Community Sports Series, creating opportunities for over 150 clubs to participate in the three main thoroughbred cup days.
