South Australia’s richest man Darren Thomas and celebrated sports broadcast Matt Hill will be the guest speakers at the Murray Bridge Racing Club’s Spring Business Lunch, the Club has announced.

The event, which has traditionally put the focus onto the Murray Bridge Gold Cup race meeting in mid-spring, will take place a month earlier than previous years on Thursday, 28 August.

Thomas, who is the naming rights sponsor of the racecourse via his Thomas Farms operation, is passionate about the thoroughbred industry and owns Seymour Bloodstock.

Hill is Melbourne’s premier thoroughbred racing caller on Channel 7 and Racing.com. He is quickly building a profile as an AFL commentator and has also called at the Olympic Games.

The event will be hosted by local journalist and TV presenter James Tzaferis, who serves on the MBRC committee.

The Club also confirmed that Hall of Fame jockey Damien Oliver will attend the annual Gold Cup Calcutta as the guest of honour on Thursday, 9 October.

Oliver, who retired from race riding in late 2023, rode more than 3000 winners during a glittering career that included a record 129 Group 1 wins.

He won the Melbourne Cup three times on Doriemus, Media Puzzle and Fiorente.

Tickets and hospitality for both events can be booked by calling the MBRC on (08) 8532 2310