Each year on the Club Menangle racing calendar, the J C Caffyn Plate makes its mark as one of the most hotly contested events of the season. The 2026 straight-out final is set to be contested on Saturday 12 December.
Carrying prizemoney of $20,000, the J C Caffyn Plate is a penalty free event for pacers with a National Rating up to 75.
The 2025 edition was won by Courtney Sutherland with Catchafire NZ for trainer Jackson Painting. As last year's J C Caffyn Plate champion, Sutherland receives automatic entry to contest this year's final and will have the privilege of wearing the colours made famous by J C Caffyn.
The remainder of the field is comprised of the top five Indigenous drivers on the NSW Premiership list. Each driver receives five points for every win, three points for every second placing and two points for every third placing across their drives in the 2026 season. One point is also given for every driving engagement they fulfil until Thursday 3 December.
An opportunity for four invitations to be issued will also be up for grabs. If these invitations are not issued prior to Thursday 3 December the remaining driving spots will be fulfilled by the next best placed Indigenous driver on the NSW premiership table.
A notice to all previous and new Indigenous Drivers will be issued requesting their nomination of intention to participate in the J C Caffyn Plate. Nominations are to be submitted to David Wonson via email at dwonson@clubmenangle.com.au by Saturday 31 October. All drivers must be licensed during the 2026 season.
Each fortnight until Friday 4 December, Club Menangle will publish an updated point score on our website and Facebook page.
As in previous years, the field of drivers will wear a specially designed set of silks with an Indigenous artwork design featured on the body.
For more information about the 2026 KARI J C Caffyn Plate, please contact David Wonson on (02) 4645 2200 or dwonson@clubmenangle.com.au.
