Year

2018

Result

Finalist

Category

Feature/Photographic Essay

Publications

Getty Images

Jenny Evans

“Louth Races”

Louth is a small village on the Darling River, home to just 43 people, and the region has been gripped by one of the worst droughts on record. But for its annual race meeting, Louth is flooded with thousands of visitors. The racecourse is transformed into a campground to accommodate racegoers who travel from around the country.

Louth Race Club personnel and locals worked tirelessly to prepare the race club for the big day, says photographer Jenny Evans, who captured the spirit of the Louth Races in images.

“The track itself was incredibly dry and had to be raked and watered three times a day to get it race ready and pass safety inspections,” Evans wrote in her entry statement. “The (only) local pub, Shindy’s Inn, fed hundreds of people and ordered 210 kegs of beer for the big event.”

The judges loved Evans’ story as “dry and uniquely Australian”.

“Jenny has a humorous and captivating way of capturing the essence of each moment. Visually it plays off the arid landscape and the warmth of the Australian sunset. Jenny waits for the light to come to her images.”

Tom Henry and dog Tess sleep in the back of a horse float ahead of the 2018 Louth Races.

Nyngan horse trainer Garry Bignell lunges Little Leena before the race meet.

A horse has a roll in the sand at daybreak.

Racegoers share a beer and a laugh at Louth’s local pub, Shindy’s Inn.

Shindy’s Inn, normally a quiet little drinking hole, is transformed as hundreds turn up.

There’s not an inch of space spare during the Calcutta horse auction at the local pub, Shindy’s Inn.

Thousands of racegoers turn out for the 2018 Louth Races on August 11, 2018.

Racegoers cheer as horses race past.

There’s an air of frivolity during the races at Louth Turf Club.

Ongoing drought conditions and strong winds leave racegoers covered in dust.

Young folk start off the day after the races with some hair of the dog at the Louth Racecourse campground.

Due to the lack of accommodation in the town of Louth, it’s BYO bed. That can range from a luxurious caravan with all the home comforts, to a swag in the dirt.

Jenny Evans