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Compassionate Stakes Day - Novelty Races


Nup-To-The-Cup - Raising awareness for horses & greyhounds


Sunday November 2, 2025  -  Glebe Park Canberra

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About

THIS IS IT: THE EVENT OF THE MILLENNIUM IS BACK!

Little Oak Sanctuary is proud to bring you the 2025 COMPASSIONATE STAKES DAY!

Tired of so-called 'entertainment' that involves cruelty to animals? Then this is the event you've been waiting for! Say NUP TO THE CUP, grab your friends and sign up today to enter the T-REX and Unicorn races in the heart of Canberra City!

Tickets to race are just $20 per individual and include costume hire and a 100% chance of having a great time. Spectators watch for FREE!

All proceeds go to help support survivors of the horse racing industry currently residing at Little Oak Sanctuary.

What: T-Rex & Unicorn Novelty Races 
The Compassionate Stakes features compassionate Canberran's racing in giant inflatable T-Rex and Unicorn costumes to make cruelty ancient history! Fashionistas can participate in the Fashion Off The Fields competition, Kids can sign up to race in our Dino-Egg & Spoon race on the day! Information about horses and animal racing will be available. A vegan sausage sizzle and baked goods will be available. Prizes and entertainment abound.

 

Where: Glebe Park (down near the Rotunda)
Join hundreds of people in Canberra's City for the return of this fun, feel-good event!

 

When: SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER 10 am - 4 pm
10:30 am - THE BIG BANG

10:50 am - REX RAMPAGE

11:10 am - ENCHANTED ESCAPE

11:30 am - (KIDS RACE 1) TINY TITAN TROT

11:50 am - (KIDS RACE 2) BABY DINO BOUNCE

12:10 pm - REPTILIAN RELAY

12:30 pm - MYTHICAL MAYHEM

12:50 pm - DINO DANCE OFF

1:20 pm - (KIDS RACE 3) PREHISTORIC PALS RELAY

1:40 pm - (KIDS RACE 4) DINOSAUR-EGG & SPOON RACE

2:00 pm - RAINBOW RUN

2:20 pm - JURASSIC JUGGLE

2:40 pm - EGG-STINCTION DASH

3:10 pm - COMPASSIONATE STAKES - THE GRAND FINAL

 

Why: Having fun shouldn't involve cruelty
Each year in Australia, more and more people are deciding that entertainment that relies on others having a bad time are no fun. Say Nup to the Cup! We all enjoy getting dressed up and having a good time with friends, but watching animals suffering is no-one's cup of tea. At Little Oak Sanctuary we currently care for three horses rescued from the racing industry, you can read their stories by clicking below.

Race booking

Competitions & Races for Adults

10:30 am - THE BIG BANG

The ultimate battle between T-Rexes and Unicorns: This is the race where it all begins! Sign up for the first race of the 2025 Compassionate Stakes. Race distance, approximately 100 metres. 10 costumes available, don't be a Saur loser, grab your friends and sign up today! Prizes awarded for 1st Male, Female & Non-Binary racers (that's some good odds!).

10:50 am - REX RAMPAGE

For the Rex Purists: T-Rex Costumes only! Race distance, approximately 100 metres. 14 costumes available, don't be a Saur loser, grab your friends and sign up today! Prizes awarded for 1st Male, Female & Non-Binary racers (that's some good odds!).

11:10 am - ENCHANTED ESCAPE

Unicorn costumes only: The most magical of races as a field of pink, blue and white unicorns race for the ultimate victory. Race distance, approximately 100 metres. 9 costumes available, don't be a Saur loser, grab your friends and sign up today! Prizes awarded for 1st Male, Female & Non-Binary racers (that's some good odds!).

12:10 pm - REPTILIAN RELAY

For teams of 2. Love to do everything with your bestie? This is the race for you! sign up with your buddy and relay race in T-Rex costumes for GLORY! Race distance, approximately 100 metres (50m each). 10 Teams of 2 (that's a great chance of victory). Prizes for 1st-3rd teams. Choose Your Team colours.

12:30 pm - MYTHICAL MAYHEM

For T-Rexes and Unicorns: The ultimate battle between Dino and Unicorn. Who will win? Race distance, approximately 100 metres. 15 costumes available, don't be a Saur loser, grab your friends and sign up today! Prizes awarded for 1st Male, Female & Non-Binary racers (that's some good odds!).

12:50 pm - DINO DANCE OFF

For those with the moves AND the grooves! Dance to victory in a T-Rex or Unicorn costume - hit the dance floor and show us your best prehistoric moves. Our crowd will choose their top three dancers. We’ve got 15 costumes available — don’t be a “saur” loser, grab your friends and sign up today! Prizes awarded for our three favourite dancers. Think you can out-dance a dinosaur? There’s only one way to find out!

2:00 pm - RAINBOW RUN

Unicorn costumes only: The most magical of races as a field of pink, blue and white unicorns race for the ultimate victory. Race distance, approximately 100 metres. 9 costumes available, don't be a Saur loser, grab your friends and sign up today! Prizes awarded for 1st Male, Female & Non-Binary racers PLUS a special prize for most magical racer (that's some good odds!).

2:20 pm - JURASSIC JUGGLE

Think running in a T-Rex suit is tough? Try it while wrangling a giant inflatable ball with those tiny arms! In this relay, the first racer must carry (not kick or throw!) their dino-sized ball down the track and hand it to their teammate, who has to wrestle it back to the finish line. Teams of 2, distance 100m (50m each). Prizes will be awarded for the top 3 teams. Join us in proving the point — you don’t need horses for thrilling races.

2:40 pm - EGG-STINCTION DASH

In this prehistoric performance, it’s not about being first across the line — it’s about putting on a show! From the start to the finish, Dinos and Unicorns will strut, shimmy, shuffle, and dance their way to glory. Think dramatic stomps, twirls, or even a little Fossy flair — the more expressive and entertaining your moves, the better your chances. 💚 Open to both Unicorns and Dinos, distance ~50m. 🏆 Prizes awarded for the top 3 most entertaining performances.

3:10 pm - COMPASSIONATE STAKES - THE GRAND FINAL

    Sanctuary Tour
    Sanctuary Tour
    Multiple Dates
    Sun, 26 Oct
    Little Oak Sanctuary
    Step into a world of compassion and connection with a 1.5-hour guided tour of Little Oak Sanctuary. Nestled in a tranquil bushland setting, our sanctuary offers a rare opportunity to meet our rescued animal residents up close. Hear their incredible stories of resilience and survival.
    Compassionate Stakes Day Novelty Races
    Compassionate Stakes Day Novelty Races
    Sun, 02 Nov
    Glebe Park - Canberra
    Say Nup to the Cup and have a great time with our T-Rex & Unicorn Novelty Races instead! SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER | GLEBE PARK
    Monthly Bakesale & Veggie Sausage Sizzle
    Monthly Bakesale & Veggie Sausage Sizzle
    Multiple Dates
    Sun, 16 Nov
    Dickson - Outside Coles and Woolworths
    Help us raise much-needed funds for the animals at our Monthly Bakesale & Veggie Sausage Sizzle at Dickson Shops - outside Coles/Woolworths. 📅 Date: September, Oct, Nov & Dec 🕙 Time: 11.00 am – 3.00 pm 📍 Location: Outside Coles/Woolworths 🙏 Money raised supports LOS animals
    Spring Jazz, Wine & Vegan Cheese
    Spring Jazz, Wine & Vegan Cheese
    Sun, 23 Nov
    Manar
    Join us for our Spring Jazz, Wine & Vegan cheese event, surrounded by rescued animals amidst a stunning Australian landscape at Little Oak Sanctuary.
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Games & Races for kids

11:30 AM - TINY TITAN TROT

​For kids aged 5-7 and 8-12 yrs: Mini Dinos (in dino capes and caps) race a short course (50-100m). 8 costumes available to race in, the kids can join in all the fun - sign up today! Prizes awarded for 1st in each age category and participation prizes for all (that's some good odds!).

11:50 AM - BABY DINO BOUNCE

For kids aged 5-7yrs and 8-12 yrs: Kids hop their way to the finish line in 'prehistoric potato sacks'. 8 sacks available to race in, the kids can join in all the fun - sign up today! Prizes awarded for 1st in each age category and participation prizes for all (that's some good odds!).

1:20 PM - PREHISTORIC PALS RELAY

For kids aged 5-7 and 8-12 years. Team up for some dino-sized fun! In this race, kids pair up in their dragon/dino capes and masks to take on a 100m relay (50m each). Work together, roar with laughter, and see if your prehistoric partnership can take home the prize. Don’t miss your chance to join the adventure – grab a buddy and sign up today! Prizes for first team in each age category and participation prizes for all.

1:40 PM - DINOSAUR-EGG & SPOON RACE

For kids aged 5-7 and 8-12 years. Balance, focus… and a whole lot of giggles! In this prehistoric challenge, kids race to the finish line carrying a precious “dino egg” on their spoon.

 

Don’t let it tumble — if your egg takes a fall, you’ll need to pick it up and keep going! Roar, laugh, and wobble your way across the line in this Jurassic favourite! Prizes for first in each age category and participation prizes for all.

    Sanctuary Tour
    Sanctuary Tour
    Multiple Dates
    Sun, 26 Oct
    Little Oak Sanctuary
    Step into a world of compassion and connection with a 1.5-hour guided tour of Little Oak Sanctuary. Nestled in a tranquil bushland setting, our sanctuary offers a rare opportunity to meet our rescued animal residents up close. Hear their incredible stories of resilience and survival.
    Compassionate Stakes Day Novelty Races
    Compassionate Stakes Day Novelty Races
    Sun, 02 Nov
    Glebe Park - Canberra
    Say Nup to the Cup and have a great time with our T-Rex & Unicorn Novelty Races instead! SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER | GLEBE PARK
    Monthly Bakesale & Veggie Sausage Sizzle
    Monthly Bakesale & Veggie Sausage Sizzle
    Multiple Dates
    Sun, 16 Nov
    Dickson - Outside Coles and Woolworths
    Help us raise much-needed funds for the animals at our Monthly Bakesale & Veggie Sausage Sizzle at Dickson Shops - outside Coles/Woolworths. 📅 Date: September, Oct, Nov & Dec 🕙 Time: 11.00 am – 3.00 pm 📍 Location: Outside Coles/Woolworths 🙏 Money raised supports LOS animals
    Spring Jazz, Wine & Vegan Cheese
    Spring Jazz, Wine & Vegan Cheese
    Sun, 23 Nov
    Manar
    Join us for our Spring Jazz, Wine & Vegan cheese event, surrounded by rescued animals amidst a stunning Australian landscape at Little Oak Sanctuary.
Stalls
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Little Oak Sanctuary - Veggie Sausage Sizzle

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VIETNAMESE STREET FOOD

Cupcakes

Dessert Quartets
Baked Goodies

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Little Oak Farm Animal Sanctuary Information & Merchandise Stall

FAQS

Frequently asked questions

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© Little Oak Sanctuary is endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as a deductible gift recipient (DGR) organisation. ABN 13 957 855 464

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