The unusually named village is situated on the Baradine Creek, with the name originating from William Colless's property, Come-by-Chance station.

 

Come-By-Chance was once a central meeting spot for station owners in the district. Life out west is not as hectic these days with just the community hall providing a focus for entertainment - outside race-day, of course. It was thought that all land in the area had been allocated but, as the name suggests, one came by chance to the Colless family property when it was found to have been missed during the selection.

 

Colless later owned the post office, hotel, police station, blacksmith shop and cemetery and at one stage Come-By-Chance was believed to be the only privately owned village in the southern hemisphere. Cattle and sheep were grazed in the early days and since the 1960s cereal and legume crops have been grown.

 

Around late September every year, thousands - and the odd horse or two - converge on the tiny settlement to cheer home the winner of the Come-By-Chance Picnic Cup (1400m).

Racing began at Come-By-Chance mid-way through last century and has thrived ever since.

"The club's been racing for at least 55 years," "It was started by locals and one of them, Albie Slack-Smith, used to own Brooklyn Maid which at one stage was one of the favourites for the Golden Slipper. "Most stations back then had horses and the jackaroos used to ride work for the owners, so the racing evolved from that."

 

The races did not run in 2007 due to Equine Influenza.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR THE COME-BY CHANCE RACES IN 2009 CONTACT :

Secretary-Naomi Barrett:  (0428) 285 284 nabar@bordernet.com.au

President– Ken Waterford (0427) 243 232  krwaterford@bigpond.com                           

                                

 

History of the Come-by-Chance Races