Where Champions Become Legends
THOROUGHBRED RACING IN AUSTRALIA
Thoroughbred horse racing is a spectator sport in Australia with nearly 400 racecourses in total, and gambling on horse races is a very popular pastime among the locals. The Aushorse guide reveals that one in every 254 Australians owns at least a share in a racehorse.
On an international scale, Australia has more racecourses than any other nation and in 2013, Australia hosted an incredible 87 races worth $1 million or more, the most of any country in world racing.
Australian racing has been on top of the world rankings for most Group 1 races in five of the last seven years.
History: Early Race Meetings and Clubs
1810
The first approved race meeting took place in 1810 in Sydney's Hyde Park. The horses raced were those of the members of the 73rd regiment the event was sanctioned by the then Governor Macquarie.1836
Thoroughbred racing commenced in Western Australia in 1836. The Western Australian Turf Club (WATC) was established in 1852.1838
In Victoria, the first official races were held in March 1838 on a specially marked out course at Batman's Hill in Melbourne. The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) was formed from the amalgamation in 1864 of the Victoria Jockey Club and Victoria Turf Club.1840
The Australian Jockey Club (AJC) was formed in January 1840 and held its meetings at Homebush from 1842 to 1859, before moving to Randwick in 1860. The AJC has its headquarters at Randwick where it plays a major role in the regulation of the sport.1856
South Australia's first meeting was held at Adelaide in 1843. The principal race club, the South Australian Jockey Club (SAJC), was founded in 1856.1863
Queensland's first recorded race meeting was held at Cooper's Plains in 1843. The major race club, the Queensland Turf Club (QTC), was formed in 1863, followed by the Brisbane Amateur Turf Club (BATC) in 1923.1871
Organised racing was first held in Tasmania in 1814 at Newtown, near Hobart. The Tasmanian Turf Club (TTC) was formed in 1871, but the major club, the Tasmanian Racing Club (TRC), was not established until 1874.1883
By 1883, 192 country clubs were registered to race under Australian Jockey Club rules.1943
The Sydney Turf Club (STC) was formed in 1943 and held races on the Rosehill Gardens track and at Canterbury. This club was the initiator of the world's richest race for two-year-olds, the Golden Slipper Stakes.1955
In the Northern Territory, the Darwin Turf Club was established in May 1955.2010
The Australian Jockey and Sydney Turf Clubs Merger Act 2010 merged the two clubs under the name of the Australian Turf Club.Administration of
Horse Racing in Australia
Racing Australia
The Australian Racing Board (ARB) was established in 1998 as the national administration body for Thoroughbred racing in Australia by the statutory bodies for racing in each State or Territory, known as the Principal Racing Authorities, by consensual agreement. This consensus by the States is achieved by agreeing to abide by and to enforce the Australian Rules of Racing which are within the authority of the ARB.
In September 2014, the Australian Racing Board, the Australian Stud Book, and Racing Information Services of Australia were merged via a consolidation effort to form Racing Australia as the national body for managing thoroughbred racing in the country. The consolidation was enforced via the agreement of the eight Principal Racing Authorities of Australia. Racing Australia comprises two territories and six state racing bodies, termed the Principal Racing Authorities.
In September 2014, the Australian Racing Board, the Australian Stud Book, and Racing Information Services of Australia were merged via a consolidation effort to form Racing Australia as the national body for managing thoroughbred racing in the country. The consolidation was enforced via the agreement of the eight Principal Racing Authorities of Australia. Racing Australia comprises two territories and six state racing bodies, termed the Principal Racing Authorities.
For more information, please visit the respective websites of the racing authorites.
Information on Racing System
Ratings Based Handicap Class Races
Ratings Based Handicapping is where horses have a base points rating allocated to them based on past performances. The chief handicapper then assesses a horses most recent start and applies a handicapping penalty or reduction to the horse's base rating, dependent upon the performance of the horse in that particular race.Winning gallopers may receive up to 2.5kgs added to their base rating while the rest of the field will have their base rating adjusted up or down based on their race performance and how far back they finished from the winner.
A horse can then enter an upcoming event based on their rating. A mare with a rating of 76 would be able to enter a 0-82 handicap event. The higher the Handicap rating, the higher the weight a horse will carry.
Class Races
On the provincial circuit in Australia there are six types of class races, and they range from Class 1 to Class 6. A Class 1 race is restricted to horses that have not won more than one race and the same goes for each of the other classes through to Class 6 which are restricted to horses that have not won more than six races.If a horse has won 5 races then it is only eligible for a Class 5 or Class 6, and if a horse has won 3 races then it can only race in a Class 3 or higher. Maidens who have yet to win a race are eligible for any class race.
2YO
0MW (no metropolitan win) – Special Conditions Race3YO
3YO Open Handicap3YO 0–82 (or 3YO midweek – 1 Metro Win)
3YO 0–72 (3YO Class 1)
Open
Open Handicap0–95 (1 Metro Win – LY- Strong Midweek restricted race)
0–89 (1 Metro Win – LY- Class 6 (Equivalent of Midweek/Night/Sunday)
0–82 (Class 6 / No Metro Win (Equivalent of Midweek Class 6 / Night / Sunday restricted race)
Mares
Mares Open Handicap0-89 (Mares 1 Metro Win LY)
0-82 (Mares Class 6)
Open Handicap
0-89 (Class 5 or 6 Provincial)0-78 (Class 4 Provincial)
0-72 (Class 2 or 3 Provincial)
0-68 (Class 1 or 2 Provincial)
0-62 (Weak Class 1 Provincial)
Restricted & Special Conditions Races
A conditions race is an event where specific conditions must be met before an entry is allowed. Number of wins in the city or country, age, sex, prize money won, even horse colour can be a race that is classed as a Restricted or Special condition's race.
Two-Year-Old
A race event for two-year-old colts & geldings and fillies only. Many two-year-old events are open to males and females such as the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield, however some two-year-old races may be for colts & geldings only or fillies only. Early in the racing season two-year-old races can be over distances as short as 900m.
Three-Year-Old
A race event for three-year-old colts & geldings and fillies only. Many three-year-old events are open to males and females such as the Victoria Derby at Flemington, however some three-year-old races may be for colts & geldings only, or fillies only.
Derby
A blue ribbon classic stakes race for three-year-old colts & geldings and fillies and normally run over a distance of 2400m. The biggest Derby in Australia is the Victoria Derby held at Flemington each year during the spring racing carnival and it is raced over a distance of 2500m.
Oaks
The biggest Oaks race in Australia is the VRC Oaks held at Flemington each year during the spring racing carnival and it is raced over a distance of 2500m.
Four-Year-Old
A race event for four-year-old horses and mares only.
Mares
A race event for female horses only who are four years old and upwards.
Handicap
A race event where the racecourse handicapper assigns horses a weight based on earnings and past performance to create a theoretical level playing field. The Melbourne Cup is Australia's most famous handicap race.
Open
An open race is one where there are no conditions on horses who enter the race.
Flying
A race event open to all horses and usually over a sprint distance 1200m or less.
Welter
A race event where a minimum weight is assigned.
Flying Welter
A race event open to all horses with a minimum weight assigned.
Invitation Race
A race event for invited horses only.
Stakes Race
A race of higher quality that attracts better horses and offers much more prize money than a normal race and is generally a black type race such as a Group or Listed race.
Quality Handicap
A handicap race with a maximum and minimum weight which is different in each state but usually around 60-61kg maximum and 52-53kg minimum. Attracts higher quality horses and is generally a black type Group or Listed race.
Set Weights and Penalties
A high majority of two and three year old races are run under Set Weights and Penalties (SW+P) conditions where weights are known upon entry into the race. The age or sex of the horse determines the weight carried for the race. Colts and geldings usually carry around 2 kilograms more than the fillies. Set weights races are also available for horses and mares.
Weight For Age
A race where a horse will carry a set weight in accordance with the Weight for Age (WFA) Scale. This weight varies depending on the horse’s age, sex, race distance, and month of the year. These races are usually Group races for high quality gallopers and more often than not Group 1 or Group 2 races. The WS Cox Plate is Australia's most famous Weight for Age race.
Group and Listed Races
Group and Listed Races are those considered by the Australian Racing Board to reflect the highest standard of racing for races run in Australia. They are published in the schedule of races described as “Group and Listed Races” by the Australian Racing Board. Group 1 races are the highest class race in Australia, followed by Group 2, Group 3 and Listed races.
NSW Benchmark Figure
Benchmark programming and handicapping commenced in New South Wales on 1st October 2009 to replace the Ratings system in use at the time. A Benchmark figure applies to New South Wales Meetings only and a horse's Benchmark figure is updated after each race start.
Racecourses in Australia
*Major Australian Metropolitan Racecourses and Country Racetracks
Canberra
Alice Springs
Fannie Bay
Devonport
Elwick
Launceston
Longford
Beaudesert
Bundaberg
Cairns
Dalby
*Doomben
*Eagle Farm
Esk
Gatton
*Gold Coast
Gympie
Ipswich
Kilcoy
Mackay
Rockhampton
Sunshine Coast
Toowoomba
Townsville
Balaklava
Bordertown
Clare
Gawler
*Morphettville
Mount Gambier
Murray Bridge
Naracoorte
Oakbank
Penola
Port Augusta
Port Lincoln
Port Pirie
Strathalbyn
Albany
*Ascot
*Belmont Park
Bunbury
Geraldton
Kalgoorlie
Mount Barker
Narrogin
Northam
Pinjarra
Port Hedland
York
Albury
Armidale
Ballina
Bathurst
Berrigan
Broken Hill
*Canterbury
Casino
Cessnock
Coffs Harbour
Coonamble
Cootamundra
Corowa
Cowra
Deniliquin
Dubbo
Forbes
Gilgandra
Glen Innes
Gosford
Goulburn
Grafton
Grenfell
Gundagai
Gunnedah
Hawkesbury
Inverell
Kembla Grange
Kempsey
Leeton
Lennox Head
Lismore
Moree
Moruya
Mudgee
Murwillumbah
Muswellbrook
Narrandera
Narromine
Newcastle
Nowra
Orange
Parkes
Port Macquarie
Queanbeyan
Quirindi
*Royal Randwick
*Rosehill Gardens
Sapphire Coast
Scone
Tamworth
Taree
Tumut
Wagga
Walcha
Warren
*Warwick Farm
Wauchope
Wellington
Wyong
Aracat
Bairnsdale
Ballarat
Benalla
Bendigo
Camperdown
Casterton
*Caulfield
Colac
Coleraine
Cranbourne
Donald
Echuca
Edenhope
*Flemington
Geelong
Hamilton
Hanging Rock
Horsham
Kilmore
Kyneton
Mildura
Moe
*Moonee Valley
Mornington
Mortlake
Murtoa
Pakenham
Penshurst
Sale
*Sandown
Seymour
St Arnaud
Stawell
Stoney Creek
Swan Hill
Tatura
Terang
Traralgon
Wangaratta
Warracknabeal
Warrnambool
Werribee
Wodonga
Yarra Valley
Some of The Major Racecourses in Australia
The Australian Turf Club (ATC) is one of the principal horse racing organisations in Australia. It was formed in February 2011 through the merger of the Australian Jockey Club (AJC) and the Sydney Turf Club (STC).
The ATC is responsible for managing and operating some of the most prestigious racecourses, including Randwick Racecourse, Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Canterbury Park Racecourse, and Warwick Farm Racecourse, as well as hosting numerous significant horse racing events throughout the year like the world-famous Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival, which feature the Golden Slipper Stakes, The Everest, the Sydney Cup, and the Doncaster Mile, among others.
For more information on Australian Turf Club, please visit their website here.
The ATC is responsible for managing and operating some of the most prestigious racecourses, including Randwick Racecourse, Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Canterbury Park Racecourse, and Warwick Farm Racecourse, as well as hosting numerous significant horse racing events throughout the year like the world-famous Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival, which feature the Golden Slipper Stakes, The Everest, the Sydney Cup, and the Doncaster Mile, among others.
For more information on Australian Turf Club, please visit their website here.
Canterbury Racecourse
Track Information
Canterbury is a small, tight track which has a circumference of 1567m and a short straight of 308m which suits horses who can lead or race on the pace.
Right-handed Direction (Clockwise)
Circumference: 1567m
Straight: 308m
Circumference: 1567m
Straight: 308m
Rosehill Gardens Racecourse
Track Information
Rosehill has a circumference of 2048m with sweeping turns and a long home straight of 408m. The track gives all horses a chance whether they be on the pace or coming from a fair way back. Rosehill produces plenty of track specialists and barrier positions are important due to most starting gates under 1900m having only a short run to the first turn.
Right-handed Direction (Clockwise)
Circumference: 2048m
Straight: 408m
Circumference: 2048m
Straight: 408m
Major Races
• Coolmore Classic
• George Ryder Stakes
• Golden Rose
• Golden Slipper
• Ranvet Stakes
• Rosehill Guineas
• Tancred Stakes
• The Galaxy
• Vinery Stud Stakes
Royal Randwick Racecourse
Track Information
The Course Proper has a circumference of 2224m with sweeping bends, and the straight is 410m long with a slight uphill slope known as the rise.
Randwick Course Proper
Right-handed Direction (Clockwise)
Circumference: 2224m
Straight: 410m
Kensington Track
Right-handed Direction (Clockwise)
Circumference: 2100m
Straight: 401m
Right-handed Direction (Clockwise)
Circumference: 2224m
Straight: 410m
Kensington Track
Right-handed Direction (Clockwise)
Circumference: 2100m
Straight: 401m
Major Races
• All Aged Stakes
• Australian Derby
• Australian Oaks
• Canterbury Stakes
• Champagne Stakes
• Chipping Norton Stakes
• Doncaster Mile
• Epsom Handicap
• Flight Stakes
• Inglis Sires Produce Stakes
• King Charles III Stakes
• Queen Elizabeth Stakes
• Queen Of The Turf Stakes
• Randwick Guineas
• Spring Champion Stakes
• Surround Stakes
• Sydney Cup
• The Metropolitan Handicap
• TJ Smith Stakes
• Winx Stakes
Warwick Farm Racecourse
Track Information
Warwick Farm is a tightish track with a circumference of only 1937m. It has a short straight of 326m and all starts above 1000m have a long run until the first turn. The track suits horses who like to race on the pace, as the tight turns make it a tough task to come from behind, especially if wide around the final bend.
Right-handed Direction (Clockwise)
Circumference: 1937m
Straight: 326m
Circumference: 1937m
Straight: 326m
The Brisbane Racing Club was founded on 1 July 2009 by a merger of the Queensland Turf Club and the Brisbane Turf Club (BTC). The consolidation of the race clubs was the first of its kind in Australia as later other metropolitan race clubs would follow their initiative. The racecourses operated by the BRC are Eagle Farm Racecourse and Doomben Racecourse.
For more information on Brisbane Racing Club, please visit their website here.
For more information on Brisbane Racing Club, please visit their website here.
Doomben Racecourse
Track Information
The Doomben track is right-handed (clockwise) with a course proper circumference of 1715m. Doomben has three chutes: the 1350m, 1615m and 2200m. The length of the Doomben straight is 341m with the width at the Winning Post 26.4m, while the track itself is turf, with banking at varying degrees around the course proper.
Right-handed Direction (Clockwise)
Circumference: 1715m
Straight: 350m
Circumference: 1715m
Straight: 350m
Major Races
• Doomben 10,000
• Doomben Cup
Eagle Farm Racecourse
Track Information
Eagle Farm is a right-handed (clockwise) track with a course proper circumference of 2027m. The length of the straight is 434m with the width at the winning post 28.5m. It is a turf track that has a reputation for being an all-seasons course that can cope with adverse weather conditions.
Right-handed Direction (Clockwise)
Circumference: 2027m
Straight: 434m
Circumference: 2027m
Straight: 434m
Major Races
• JJ Atkins Stakes
• Kingsford Smith Cup
• Queensland Derby
• Queensland Oaks
• Stradbroke Handicap
• Tattersall's Tiara
Racing Victoria Limited was established with the support of Country Racing Victoria, Melbourne Racing Club, Moonee Valley Racing Club, Victoria Racing Club, other racing industry bodies, and the Victorian State Government. It assumed the responsibility to develop, encourage, promote and manage the conduct of Thoroughbred horse racing in the State of Victoria, Australia from the Victoria Racing Club on 19 December 2001.
The major metropolitan racecourses under Racing Victoria are Flemington Racecourse, Moonee Valley Racecourse and Caulfield Racecourse.
For more information on Racing Victoria, please visit their website here.
The major metropolitan racecourses under Racing Victoria are Flemington Racecourse, Moonee Valley Racecourse and Caulfield Racecourse.
For more information on Racing Victoria, please visit their website here.
Caulfield Racecourse
Track Information
Features banked turns and an outer circuit for 1800m and 2000m races. The track is 30m wide all round and the main course proper is 2080m in circumference. The home turn is a transitional turn banked to a maximum of 6 degrees. The straight has an effective length of 367m.
Major Races
• Caulfield Cup
• Caulfield Guineas
• CF Orr Stakes
• Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes
• Thousand Guineas
• Toorak Handicap
• Underwood Stakes
Flemington Racecourse
Track Information
The track has a sweeping home turn and 450m straight of 30m width. The track has a1200m straight chute. Track has good drainage capabilities and good cambers. The track profile is a Sandy loam soil, evenly grassed.
Major Races
• Australian Cup
• Australian Guineas
• Black Caviar Lightning Stakes
• Champions Mile
• Champions Sprint
• Champions Stakes
• Coolmore Stud Stakes
• Empire Rose Stakes
• Makybe Diva Stakes
• Melbourne Cup
• Newmarket Handicap
• Turnbull Stakes
• Victoria Derby
• VRC Kennedy Oaks
Moonee Valley Racecourse
Track Information
The Moonee Valley StrathAyr track is 1805m in circumference. The straight is 173m and the width of the track is generally 23m. The turns are banked at 7.5 degrees and the track rises 5.05m from the 800m mark to the winning post.
The turf track profile consists of reinforced sand profile for excellent drainage and the track is fully irrigated.
The turf track profile consists of reinforced sand profile for excellent drainage and the track is fully irrigated.
Major Races
• Cox Plate
• Manikato Stakes
• Moir Stakes
• William Reid Stakes
Sandown Racecourse
Track Information
Sandown Lakeside is an undulating course comprising a straight of 407m with a width of 45m. There is a rise of 0.84m from the 400m mark to the winning post. Sandown Lakeside utilises the inner of the two home turns. Sandown Hillside is an undulating course comprising a straight of 491m with a width of 30m. There is a rise of 0.65m from the 400m mark to the winning post. Sandown Hillside utilises the outer of the two home turns and the outer section of the home straight.
Both Sandown Lakeside and Sandown Hillside have a good cover of blue grass with a sand-based profile.
Both Sandown Lakeside and Sandown Hillside have a good cover of blue grass with a sand-based profile.
Major Races
• Blue Diamond Stakes
• Futurity Stakes
• Oakleigh Plate
The Western Australian Turf Club (WATC), later known as Perth Racing, was established in late nineteenth century as an elite social institution and administrator of the Western Australian horse racing industry. They manage two racecourses in Perth, Ascot Racecourse and Belmont Park Racecourse.
For more information on Perth Racing, please visit their website here.
For more information on Perth Racing, please visit their website here.
Ascot Racecourse
Track Information
Ascot has a well-drained track with a circumference of 2200m and an inclining straight of 300m which can test a horse's mettle in the run to the line. A horse can win from in front or behind at Ascot.
Left-handed Direction (Anti-Clockwise)
Circumference: 2022m
Straight: 294m
Circumference: 2022m
Straight: 294m
Major Races
• Crown Perth Winterbottom Stakes
• Drummond Golf Northerly Stakes
• Furphy Railway Stakes
Belmont Park Racecourse
Track Information
Belmont has a circumference of 1699m and a straight length of 333m. The track is oval shaped offering good runs to the first turn from most starting gates, giving all horses a chance in the run.
Left-handed Direction (Anti-Clockwise)
Circumference: 1699m
Straight: 333m
Circumference: 1699m
Straight: 333m