Almost 100,000 Australians listed 'Pike in the Last' as their religion on 2026 national census forms, according to preliminary data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The unusual entry — believed to be a reference to champion Western Australian jockey William Pike's near-mythical habit of winning the final race on the card — received 99,752 nominations, adding weight to calls for it to be formally recognised as a religion under Australian law.

"There is a god and his name is William Pike,” one respondent told The Pakistan Star.

“You back Pikey in the last at Ascot, you go home happy."

The man declined to give his name but confirmed he had also listed '1 & 8 quinellas at Cannington' as his religion on a previous census.

More to follow.