100 Years of Rotary in WA

Rockingham Beach Cup and Rotary Community Festival

Transforming our coastline into a premier racing spectacle and a powerhouse for local philanthropy.

It is a sound unlike any other on the Western Australian coastline: the rhythmic, thunderous drumming of thoroughbred hooves striking wet sand, echoing perfectly against the gentle crash of the Indian Ocean. For a fleeting weekend, the serene foreshore of Cockburn Sound is magically transformed into a vibrant arena of speed and seaside elegance. This is the Rockingham Beach Cup—Western Australia’s only social beach horse racing event.

But the Cup is far more than just a horse race. It is a multifaceted narrative woven with threads of community resilience and a profound commitment to philanthropic service. As we welcome spectators back to the foreshore for the 2026 event, the Rockingham Beach Cup continues to embody the true, collaborative spirit of our remarkable community.

A Vision Forged in Sand

Equine welfare remains the absolute priority, featuring magnificent retired track horses.

The modern Rockingham Beach Cup traces its roots back to 2016. The Rotary Club of Palm Beach recognised an extraordinary potential right on our doorstep. The vision was ambitious yet firmly grounded in civic pride: to re-establish a historical tradition of beach racing to reinvigorate the coastal strip, stimulate local commerce, and create a sustainable fundraising engine.

By combining the sheer thrill of equestrian athleticism and the relaxed culture of a day at the beach, the inaugural event proved extraordinary. Over the past decade, the event has navigated significant logistical challenges—including the major 2018 Rockingham Foreshore Revitalisation and the 2020 pandemic—with admirable agility.

Through every hurdle, the commitment of the Rotary Club of Palm Beach has remained steadfast. The event has continuously matured, shifting its focus firmly away from commercial wagering (which is strictly prohibited) toward fostering community engagement, celebrating equine welfare, and providing inclusive family entertainment.

Rockingham Beach Cup and Rotary Community Festival

Transforming our coastline into a premier racing spectacle and a powerhouse for local philanthropy.

A Vision Forged in Sand

Service Above Self