Perth Cup: Parnham family hope to celebrate a win on New Year’s Day

For one prominent Perth racing family the festive season doesn’t start until after the Perth Cup on New Year’s Day. Three jockey brothers — Brad, Steven and Chris Parnham — will all race in the TABtouch Perth Cup, which will see its prize money double in 2024 to $1 million. Brad Parnham, who will ride the race’s second favourite Numerian, said expected Numerian would be hard to beat. “He’s the Cup’s class horse and is at his peak,” Parnham said. Brad’s wife Sarah said a delayed Christmas was standard for jockeys, more concerned about meeting strict race rules. “We have postponed the traditional Christmas festivities of eating and drinking until after Perth Cup, in the hopes at least one of the brothers will be celebrating a win,” she said. “Pushing out our Christmas celebrations suits the wives and partners of the brothers too as we love dressing up for New Year’s Day and feeling fresh on January 1.” Parnham’s brothers Steven and Chris will ride Diamond Scene and Queen Alina respectively. The race meet is expected to draw a crowd of thousands to Ascot Racecourse, with 11,000 people set to devour 2000 bottles of champagne, 80 kegs of beer and 1200 oysters.