Ann Fairbanks, President of the Emmaville Community Trust, said the committee responsible for refurbishing the Emmaville courthouse will no longer need any more money, because the courthouse is finished.

That means the sheep races won't be run as often, if at all. This year the races aren't happening.

The courthouse grounds are owned by the NSW Crown Lands, part of the state Department of Industry. As per Crown Land rules money raised must be spent on the court house (or just handed to the Department as a donation to general revenue).

Ms Fairbanks said they can't run the races to fund any other community group because Crown Lands pays for insurance.

The sheep races have been a huge annual event for Emmaville since March 2012.

Cancelled in 2017 due to rain, the March event raises tens of thousands every year.

At the 2018 races Ann Fairbanks, said: “It’s fabulous for families. Kids love it. We’ve had people come from as far away as Brisbane for it”.

The highlight of the day is the Emmaville Chute Bell cup and the State of origin race between New South wales and Queensland sheep. You can even compete in fashions on the "field".

Ann said there will definitely be a 2020 Emmaville sheep race, because it is the centenary year, but after that it could be held every second year or infrequently.

"Once the court house is finished what are we going to do with the money?"