A barbecue and a chance to catch up with colleagues will put connection at the centre of Hawkesbury Race Club’s annual Racing Mates BBQ Raceday on Tuesday, 27 October.
The gathering starts at 11.30am at the James Walsh Bar. Licensed participants attending the meeting, including trainers, jockeys, track riders and stable staff, are invited to share lunch and check in with one another.
In the Racing NSW announcement, club chief executive Lea Porteous said Hawkesbury wanted to offer a welcoming place for those everyday conversations.
Racing Mates ambassador and former trainer Pat Webster will host alongside Racing NSW general manager of participant welfare Phillip O’Brien.
The event coincides with NSW Mental Health Month and its theme of making a difference through small moments of connection. Webster highlighted how racing’s demanding hours can leave people isolated in their routines.
The gathering also follows recognition for Racing Mates at the 2026 Mental Health Matters Awards, where it received the Leadership in Workplace Psychosocial Safety Award.
For local racing workers, it is an opportunity to step away from the daily workload and spend time with colleagues. Information about the initiative’s peer support and welfare resources is available through Racing Mates.
