While bold summer colours were the winning choices in 2025, this year’s Cooktown Races Fashions on the Field will be all about embracing the town’s coastal charm. Photo: Chisa Hasegawa.
It will be all about the coastal vibes and beach tones when Cooktown brings its unique flavour to race day fashion this November.
The 2026 Cooktown Races Fashions on the Field (FOTF) will embrace the south-eastern Cape York community’s picturesque seaside view with a Racing to the Reef theme, encouraging fashionistas to switch up their looks for the region’s last race meet of the year.
“There’s been lots of Fashions (on the Field) throughout the season, so it’s nice to be able to finish off with the uniqueness of Cooktown,” FOTF coordinator Kim Giese said.
“We have regulars that come from out of town, and some of those ladies and gents travel the whole race meet season to enter these.
“We also have the Local Lady and Male of the Day, so the Cooktown people themselves have the opportunity to do it and showcase Cooktown’s beauty.”
Ms Giese, taking the reins from long-term Cooktown FOFT coordinator Jacinta McCosh, said she was excited to see the various interpretations of the theme from racegoers.
“For me, the hope is to showcase what everyone’s styles are, their imaginations, and just having fun,” she said.
“We’re expecting to see a lot of corals and teals — that’s definitely the vision — but you could also turn it around completely and go the navy with pearls and things like that.
“With men, you can throw it anyway, because it could be a change of the colour of a tie or shirt or hat that could represent the theme, but I know a couple of the local gents here have some brightly coloured suits, so it will be interesting to see what they come out in.”
The 2026 Cooktown Races Fashions on the Field is still on the lookout for sponsors to bring this year’s categories to life. Interested businesses can contact Ms Giese on 0409 746 628 or the Cooktown Amateur Turf Club at [email protected].
2026 Fashions on the Field categories:
Little Ones — Boys and Girls (0-5 years)
Little Miss/Little Mr (6-12 years)
Young Lady/Young Sir (13-17 years)
Lady of the Day (18-39 years)
Golden Lady of the Day (40+ years)
Local Lady & Male of the Day (18+ years)
Dapper Male of the Day (18+ years)
Couple of the Day
Novelty: Best Reef Group
Best Millinery.
