More than 20,000 people gathered at the Rockingham foreshore on Sunday for the revitalised Channel 7 Beach Cup, featuring live music, market stalls, and food. The event, described as unique in Western Australia, saw thousands flock to the exclusive Palm Beach Oasis to watch the day's final race.
Jockey Jessica Gray rode Dark Waters to victory in the Cup, with the horse being one of several retired racehorses Gray has taken into her stables. “He’s a really nice animal, and he’s just my little pet. I love him,” Gray said after the race.
In the fashions on the field competition, Jasmine Rogers was awarded best dressed, with Christine Badia as runner-up. Badia had recently returned from the Melbourne Cup, where she was among the top 10 best dressed. “When I saw these girls, I thought, wow, there’s some real competition,” Badia said.
Peter Grygiel won the men’s fashions on the field, wearing a brand new wardrobe after a life change. “I fell in love with a girl from Rockingham and moved here about three months ago from the northern suburbs,” Grygiel said. “I had a fire in my house, and I wanted a complete life change, and so I brought a house in Rockingham.”
An auction during the event raised more than $10,000 for Variety WA and MS WA, organized by Palm Beach Rotary. As the sun set, attendees took to the dance floor to celebrate into the afternoon.
