Day One of the 2026 Scone Racing Carnival delivered one of the event’s biggest moments today, with more than 4,000 racegoers, racing industry leaders, owners, trainers, jockeys and visitors gathering at Scone Race Club for Arrowfield Scone Cup Day.

Held in the heart of Australia’s Horse Capital, Arrowfield Scone Cup Day brought together premier country racing, fashion, hospitality, entertainment and strong community support as Scone Race Club celebrated the 80th year of its flagship Carnival.

Racing unfolded across a strong eight-race program, with more than 100 horses listed and local trainers strongly represented throughout the day.

The day’s feature race, the $200,000 Listed Arrowfield Scone Cup, was run as Race 7 over 1600 metres and carried Big Dance eligibility, adding further significance to one of country racing’s most sought-after Cups.

The Arrowfield Scone Cup was won by Hellsing (IRE), trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald and ridden by Tom Sherry.

In a cracking finish down to the line, Hellsing held off Churchill’s Choice to claim the Cup by 0.27 lengths.

The result earns Hellsing eligibility for the $2 million Big Dance and gives Annabel and Rob Archibald their first Scone Cup victory.

Co-trainer, and Scone local, Rob Archibald said winning the Cup carried special meaning.

“I’m very excited and proud. Being from Scone, this is something I’ve always wanted to do, and we’re very pleased we’ve done it. We’re pleased for the owners, he’s a really good horse, Hellsing, and he was ridden beautifully by Tom. All of our horses ran well and we’re so glad we got the job done,” Mr Archibald said.

There was strong local flavour from the opening race, with Race 1 delivering a Scone-trained trifecta in the Kia Ora Country Boosted Maiden Plate.

Copperline, trained by Scott Singleton and ridden by Mikayla Weir, took the win ahead of Flirtation, trained by Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich, and Head Kahuna, trained by Brett and Georgie Cavanough.

The local success continued across the card, with Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich also taking out Race 4 with Cormier and Race 5 with Chains of Love, while Rod Northam was among the Scone trainers represented on the day.

The return of Fashions on the Field added colour and glamour to the day, with racegoers embracing the occasion in elegant dresses, millinery, sharp suits and polished race day styling.

Lucy McGlashan was named Ladies Winner, with Camilla Taylor taking runner-up, while Nicholas Perrett won Best Suited Male, ahead of runner-up Otavio Maticoli.

Together, the racing, fashion and on-course atmosphere reinforced the Carnival’s place as one of the Upper Hunter’s signature social and sporting events.

Scone Race Club CEO Jason Hill said Arrowfield Scone Cup Day had again shown why the Carnival holds such an important place in the racing and regional events calendar.

“Today was a powerful reminder of why the Scone Racing Carnival holds such a special place in Australian country racing. To see more than 4,000 people on course, a Scone-trained trifecta in the opening race, a thrilling Arrowfield Scone Cup finish and such strong local representation across the program made Arrowfield Scone Cup Day feel very much like a celebration of this town and its racing community. In our 80th year, that is something the Club and the wider Scone community can be incredibly proud of,” Mr Hill said.

“We are incredibly grateful to Arrowfield, Racing NSW, our sponsors, members, staff, volunteers, trainers, owners, jockeys and every racegoer who helped bring today to life. Scone has a deep racing heritage, but it is the people behind it, from the local stables and studs to the volunteers and supporters on course, who make this Carnival what it is.”

After a standout Day One led by the Arrowfield Scone Cup, the Carnival continues tomorrow, Saturday 16 May, with another major day of racing led by the $250,000 Group 3 Arrowfield Dark Jewel Classic.

As the only Group 3 race held at a country racecourse in New South Wales, the Arrowfield Dark Jewel Classic continues to reinforce Scone’s standing as one of the country’s most important regional racing destinations.

Saturday will also offer another full day of racing, hospitality and Carnival atmosphere, with racegoers encouraged to secure tickets and enjoy the final day of the 2026 Scone Racing Carnival.