The Cotton Cup, arguably the town’s biggest yearly social event attracting up to 3000 people trackside, celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2011.

Macquarie Cotton Growers Association members met with Warren Jockey Club on Thursday afternoon to thrash out the proposed change, which was met with shock-horror in a number of quarters.

However jockey club president Mark Beach is confident the decision won’t affect the town in a big way.

He said despite the decision being “tough” it was necessary to help secure the club’s racing future, with another TAB date helping the struggling club to stay afloat.

He said with only one genuine Sunday TAB the club was pretty exposed, and the extra TAB meet moved Warren up the ranks in racing and helped secure its future.

“If was a tough decision but we couldn’t knock it back,” Mr Beach said following the meeting.

“There is a good mix on the (jockey club) committee and the decision was unanimous to take it to a Sunday.

“Warren Jockey Club committee is voluntary and not profit-making; we only break even,” he said.

Mr Beach said times had changed and the cotton growers that supported the Cotton Cup during the years were now struggling to maintain numbers as a result of the recent prolonged drought and the increased workload on older members.

He said licensing conditions had all but “canned the night show” and the popularity of the event with the

younger set was also turning it into a mini B&S.

The Macquarie Cotton Growers Association has handed out about a quarter of a million dollars to three towns in the valley since their involvement in the event since 1990.

Mr Beach acknowledged their huge community contribution but said everything was subject to change as time went on.

He said the “half TAB” Twilight race meet in December was starting to rival the Cotton Cup in terms of crowd numbers, and was recognised as a relaxed family day out.

“The cotton growers will continue to provide the (Cotton Cup) luncheon on the hill and the Calcutta will continue,” he said.

“There is also the race date in July available if a community group wants to make a go of it.

“Down the track things will level out.”