Crowds flocked to Wakool for the Annual Sheep Races on Saturday night. Frocks, fleeces and fine attire all made their way onto the ground to watch the sold-out races. Track conditions were favourable, the firm but forgiving ground boded well for competitive racing action. A team of enthusiastic volunteers carefully loaded the racing thoroughbreds into their stalls, with the lucky purchasers of the individual sheep standing ready to cheer them down the track.
At half-time, the fashions of the field vied for best-dressed lambs, ewe and rams. A packed field of participants strutted their stuff in everything from casual comfort wear to one-off handmade creations.
Simone Penglase had the tough job of choosing the winners. The 29 mixed-sex lambs were first into the judging pen. Young ewe lamb went to Meadow Williams, and ram lamb went to Lachlan Chalmers. It was a rowdy pen of rams to choose from next, with the prime specimens made to strut their stuff not once but twice in front of the adoring crowd. One young ram in the heat of the moment stripped off his flanny, followed by his t-shirt in an effort to persuade the flock. Thankfully the MC intervened as he reached for his belt. First placed ram went to Glenn Beer, with runner-up Levi Cornish. With the rams let go, the ewes took to centre stage. From two tooth to mutton, the ewes looked dazzling in their finery. A solo walk around the pen complete with a twirl lured many of the rams back to spectate. First place ewe went to Bec Maddocks with runner-up Alicia Williams.
(L-R) Simone Penglase, Lachlan Chalmers, Meadow Williams; Alicia Williams, Bec Maddocks.
Photos: The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper
With live music, a petting zoo, and food a plenty, the night kicked on. An absolutely stunning sunset was witnessed as the fading light saw the western sky painted in strokes of the most radiant orange with a lower border, a black silhouette of trees on the horizon.
The final race of the day saw Julie O’Rourke from Werribee taking out the coveted 2025 Wakool Sheep Races Cup!
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 27 March 2025.
