The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has praised the Godolphin Puckapunyal Cup as a wonderful showcase of regional pride, community spirit, and respectful Anzac Day commemoration.
“Seymour has a proud history of horse racing, and it was fantastic to see the community come together for the Puckapunyal Cup – an event that not only celebrates our love of racing but also honours the service and sacrifice of our veterans,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Racing has long been a part of our local identity. Events like the Puckapunyal Cup remind us how important these traditions are, especially when they are tied to significant moments of remembrance like Anzac Day.
“They strengthen our community bonds and pay tribute to the values we hold dear – resilience, mateship, and respect.”
Held at the Seymour Racing Club on Sunday, April 27, The Puckapunyal Cup attracted strong support from locals, Defence personnel, veterans, and visitors, reinforcing the deep connections between the Seymour region, the Australian Defence Force, and the equine industry.
“I congratulate everyone involved, from the Seymour Racing Club to the volunteers and Defence community, for delivering an outstanding event that brought people together and showcased the very best of regional Victoria,” Ms Cleeland said.
Seymour and Puckapunyal both have strong connections to the mounted units of the First World War, with many of the horses trained locally. This history is now celebrated with the Light Horse Memorial in town.
“The legacy of the Light Horse units is woven into the fabric of Seymour and Puckapunyal,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The training of these remarkable horses and the courage of the men who rode them are a testament to the enduring spirit of our community, which continues to honour their sacrifice.”
