The Lodge Racing Club, the newest addition to Narrabri's hospitality scene, officially debuted with a celebration on The Everest race day.
Hall of fame rider Jimmy Cassidy, a prominent racing identity, was the guest-of-honour at the event, held at the transformed facility adjoining the Namoi Hotel.
Cassidy was the third jockey to win 100 Group 1 races.
Cassidy rose to racing fame in the 1980s after winning the Melbourne Cup on Kiwi in 1983. He went on to win the cup again in 1997, and also won the Cox Plate in 1998, the Caulfield Cup in 1997 and 2000, and the Golden Slipper Stakes in 2001.
Over 60 people attended the spring racing festivities on Saturday.
Author's summary: The Lodge Racing Club debuted with a celebration.