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By Mark Brassel

A legend of country racing in NSW, Colin Hodges OAM, has been honoured by Racing NSW Country after receiving the prestigious Simon Nivison Special Achievement Award.

RNSW Country held its annual Racing Conference last Friday, coinciding with the presentation of the 2026 NSW Country Racing Awards.

Colin Hodges OAM - winner of the 2026 Simon Nivison Special Achievement Award. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

The Award recipients of the various categories were announced and acknowledged for their significant contribution to country racing.

Col Hodges has been broadcasting races in the Central and Western districts for nearly 57 years as well as writing for various media outlets.

He grew up at Bogan Gate, a small village near Parkes, and went to school at Gunning Gap, riding a bicycle there and back.

Col was fascinated with ABC’s racecallers in the 1950s and broke through into the racecalling ranks when asked by prominent caller Bob Gunn to fill in at a small picnic meeting at Fifield near Trundle.

Wagga’s Murrumbidgee Turf Club took out the Country TAB Race Club of the Year (Category A) with MTC’s CEO Jason Ferrario declaring the Club’s Wagga Gold Cup Carnival in May the ‘best ever’.

“It’s a fantastic result to win this award once again – we have an incredible team of people that make the MTC what it is,” he said.

“We believe this year’s Cup Carnival was the best ever with everything falling into place – clear skies, record bar and hospitality sales, and big wagering figures with a record crowd for Cup Day.

"A special mention for the support our country race clubs receive from Racing NSW in ensuring we operate to the best of our ability."

The Category B Country TAB Race Club of the Year went to Gundagai-Adelong Race Club for its popular Snake Gully Cup Carnival in mid-November.

"This award is for our community and without them there is no Gundagai-Adelong Race Club," said GARC’s secretary/manager, Michael Heath. "I'm sure the Gundagai community will again get behind us to ensure the club's success."

Other award winners:

Outstanding Achievement (Community & Picnics)-Deepwater Jockey Club
Country Trainer of the Year-Matthew Dunn
Country Jockey of the Year-Pierre Boudvillain
Country Apprentice Jockey of the Year-Jacob Stiff
Country Approved Rider of the Year-Leandro Ribeiro

Meanwhile, the two-day Port Macquarie Cup Carnival kicks off on Friday concluding with a seven-race TAB program on Saturday.

Friday’s feature is the $200,000 Carlton Dry 3.5 Port Macquarie Cup (2000m) where the winner is eligible for the $3m Big Dance at Royal Randwick in November.

Support races include the $80,000 Birdon Group Port Macquarie Sprint (1200m) and the $50,000 Munday Construction Super Maiden (1200m).

“Cup Day brings together some great country racing, premium hospitality, fashion and an unbeatable trackside atmosphere,” said Nardi Beresford, CEO of Port Macquarie Race Club.

“We have a range of ticketed experiences to suit every racegoer and convenient bar facilities, delicious food options and entertainment throughout the day.”

On Sunday its Coonamble Cup Day with the $75,000 Coonamble Showcase Cup (1600m) also providing eligibility to the Big Dance.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Thursday: Orange
Friday: Port Macquarie
Saturday: Port Macquarie, Albury, Forbes, Young Picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Coonamble, Queanbeyan