Racing club wins major business award

THE Bendigo Jockey Club has come out as a winner at the 2025 Bendigo Bank and Be.Bendigo Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Gala.

The BJC was crowned the winner of the Events and Tourism Award.

Designed to recognise the outstanding delivery of events and tourism services that attract tourists to the region and enhance the visitor experience, the category is open to accommodation providers, tours, attractions, events and experiences that focus on at least 50 per cent of their customers from tourism.

Feted among more than 600 nominations and 82 finalists across a range of industries and categories, the award acknowledged the BJC’s outstanding contribution to the sector through its year-round calendar of community and racing events.

These include such iconic racing and non-racing events such as the Bendigo Cup, Golden Mile Race Day, the Red Hot Summer Tour, Lost Trades Fair and the Caravan and Camping Leisurefest, helping drive tourism, economic impact, and community participation throughout the year.

“We are incredibly proud,” said BJC chief executive officer Paul Scullie.

“This honour reflects the hard work and passion of our entire team, and our unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding events that bring our community together.”

The award win followed hot on the heels of the club’s new major partnership announcement with Ladbrokes.

Under the agreement, which commenced at the start of the new racing season on 1 August, Ladbrokes has gained naming rights to the time-honoured Bendigo Cup and the Golden Mile, which will be run three weeks later than normal next year on May 2.

In a further feather in the club’s cap, its outgoing commercial manager Sue Opie was a finalist in the Regional Women’s Business Award, won by Rhianwen Seiter from Mackenzie Quarters.

A key figure at the BJC for the past eight years, having served as interim CEO for a period, Opie is the new CEO of the Australian Sheep and Wool Show.