- Club & Carnival - Club Overview

The Far North Queensland Amateur Turf Club Inc. is a not-for-profit amateur horse racing club that operates the annual Cairns Amateurs Carnival. The Carnival runs over 4 days (Thursday to Sunday) and comprises two days of horse racing and a number of social events around and during the racing.

The race meeting prize money draws interest Queensland wide and attracts large race fields each year, both new and returning participants. The two-day race meeting has always been held at Cannon Park Race Course, however the social functions that surround the Carnival vary from style and venue. The Club aims to provide events that appeal to the Community as a whole as well as to Members and their Guests.

Each year the events evolve to suit the requirements and requests of Members and the public accordingly. The social events are the premier functions held in Cairns each year and see locals mixing with Governors, Premiers mixing with celebrities and business leaders mixing with fashionistas.

Economic surveys conducted in 1998 and 2004 indicated that Amateurs generates in excess of $15 million in direct spending over the 4 day Carnival period. Our Club attracts approximately 10,000 race-goers on the Friday and 20,000 on the Saturday, over 4,000 of whom are interstate and overseas visitors.

The Club values our long-term associations with our Sponsors and welcomes new Sponsors to the Amateurs family. The Club aims to further develop relationships within the business community on a national level and encourages inquiries from interested parties. Sponsors are afforded VIP treatment in appreciation of their contributions and support.

Our Club is determined to keep abreast with the advances in tourism and population growth and to provide the necessary infrastructure at our Carnival that offers first class racing and social events that capture the interest of all Australians as well as remaining a viable drawcard for the advancement of Cairns. The 40th Anniversary of the Far North Queensland Amateur Turf Club in 1998 was commemorated with the publication of a limited edition book covering the history of the Carnival, and plans are already underway to provide an exciting celebration for the Club’s 50th Anniversary in 2008.