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.
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
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.
Little Oak Sanctuary - Veggie Sausage Sizzle
VIETNAMESE STREET FOOD
Dessert Quartets
Baked Goodies
