The Compassionate Stakes are back and T-Rex races are just the beginning

Posted on 22 October, 2026

It’s that time of year again – locals are dusting off their inflatable unicorn and T-Rex costumes as they prepare to race each other in Glebe Park.

But this year the Compassionate Stakes look a little bit different. Once again calling on Canberrans to say ‘Nup to the Cup’, the 2026 race is bigger and – dare we say it – better than ever before.

“It has grown every year, and this year we’re building it into the first Compassionate Stakes Festival of Kind Living,” explains Kate Luke, Co-Founder of Little Oak Sanctuary.

“What began as a way of showing there are better ways to have fun than at the expense of animals now looks at the bigger picture: how the everyday decisions we make about what we eat, what we wear and how we spend our free time can make the world better for animals, for the planet and for us.”

Founded by Kate and the Little Oak Sanctuary team in 2019, the Compassionate Stakes has become something of a local favourite for its unique, family-friendly, and cruelty-free alternative to horse racing.

The event gives the growing number of Canberrans who would rather skip the Melbourne Cup something else to do, and Kate says this year they decided that the T-Rex races would just be the beginning.

Taking place on Sunday 1 November, not only will there be the much-loved inflatable costume races – including the Dino Dance Off and two kids’ races – but there will also be plant-based cheese and sushi making workshops, a terrarium workshop and a clothing swap.

The Hearth will be running a crafternoon tea, Jurassic Jenga and other games will be scattered around and there will be face painting, colouring and book readings from children’s author Nicole Godwin, with eco-friendly crafts to go with the stories.

If that’s not enough to keep you busy, there will also be community stalls from Sea Shepherd, Greyhound Connections, Peanuts Wellbeing Sanctuary, Vegan ACT, Animal Justice Party ACT, Community Toolbox, WasteLess, House of Sloane, Cruelty Free Ink Pokes and more.

As for the food?

“There will be vegan Vietnamese street food from Au Lac, Majestic Mushrooms from Murrumbateman, croissants and scrolls from Oh My Days, Mellabella Gelato from Bungendore, coffee from Brenda’s Batch and Brew, fresh juices from Juice Circle, plus Funky Pies and a veggie sausage sizzle at the Little Oak stall!” says Kate.

“Sunday 1 November also happens to be World Vegan Day and the first day of Compassion 2 Action Month, a campaign Little Oak started in 2023 to give people practical ways to create a kinder world.”

And for those who would like to continue to show their support after the Compassionate Stakes are over, it doesn’t end there.

“Two weeks later, on Friday 13 November, we celebrate Little Oak’s 13th anniversary with the Enchanted Garden Gala at The Marion on Lake Burley Griffin,” explains Kate.

“It’s an evening of plant-based dining, live jazz and a silent auction, raising funds for the animals in our care. Little Oak is entirely community funded, so nights like this keep the lights – well, the solar panels – on and the hay coming in.”

Everyone loves getting dressed up and having a good time with friends, so why not do it while racing T-Rexes and unicorns?

Images supplied.