Perth Racing stages over 90 race meetings a year, including the Perth Cup on New Year’s Day, the $5m Quokka in April, and The Pinnacles series of five spectacular Saturdays featuring the best racing in the world at the time in November/December.
2023-24 Annual ReportIn 1848 a race meeting was held on J. W. Hardey's "Grove Farm" alongside the Swan River. A permanent course was established on Hardey's property, becoming Perth Racecourse, and later, Ascot Racecourse. In 1852, the Western Australian Turf Club was formed, with its first meeting in April 1853.
In November 1885, a 1.3 km branch line was constructed from the Eastern Railway at Bayswater to the Swan River, improving access to the racecourse. This spur line, known as the Ascot Racecourse spur line, followed what is now Garratt Road.
In December 1887, the first Perth Cup took place at what is now Ascot Racecourse, with stake of £250, made up of a subscription of 24 Club members at £10 a piece.
In December 1910, Belmont Park held its first harness race meeting, conducted by the Western Australian Trotting Association (W.A.T.A.). The first aeroplane flight in Western Australia was conducted from Belmont Park Racecourse in 1911, and remained in use until 1919 when an airstrip at Langley Park was completed.
In 1917, an Act of Parliament gave the Western Australian Turf Club (W.A.T.C.) the power to control racing in Western Australia and Ascot was made the state's racing headquarters. The W.A.T.C. became responsible for allocating racing dates, registering race clubs, horses and owners, licensing jockeys and trainers, and overseeing the operation of country clubs.
1952 marked a centenary celebration for the W.A.T.C.
The W.A.T.C. built over the existing Grandstand, which opened 1903. A new Grandstand at Ascot was opened on 8 December 1969, which remains there today.
The W.A.T.C. moved from the Club’s offices on the corner of Howard Street and the Esplanade in Perth city, into new offices at Lee-Steere House, opposite Ascot Racecourse. The new premises honour the contribution of the Lee-Steere family. Sir Ernest Augustus Lee-Steere was Chairman of the Western Australian Turf Club from 1919 to 1940 and Sir Ernest Lee-Steere was Chairman of the Western Australian Turf Club from 1963 to 1984.
In 1848 a race meeting was held on J. W. Hardey's "Grove Farm" alongside the Swan River. A permanent course was established on Hardey's property, becoming Perth Racecourse, and later, Ascot Racecourse. In 1852, the Western Australian Turf Club was formed, with its first meeting in April 1853.
In November 1885, a 1.3 km branch line was constructed from the Eastern Railway at Bayswater to the Swan River, improving access to the racecourse. This spur line, known as the Ascot Racecourse spur line, followed what is now Garratt Road.
In December 1887, the first Perth Cup took place at what is now Ascot Racecourse, with stake of £250, made up of a subscription of 24 Club members at £10 a piece.
In December 1910, Belmont Park held its first harness race meeting, conducted by the Western Australian Trotting Association (W.A.T.A.). The first aeroplane flight in Western Australia was conducted from Belmont Park Racecourse in 1911, and remained in use until 1919 when an airstrip at Langley Park was completed.
In 1917, an Act of Parliament gave the Western Australian Turf Club (W.A.T.C.) the power to control racing in Western Australia and Ascot was made the state's racing headquarters. The W.A.T.C. became responsible for allocating racing dates, registering race clubs, horses and owners, licensing jockeys and trainers, and overseeing the operation of country clubs.
1952 marked a centenary celebration for the W.A.T.C.
The W.A.T.C. built over the existing Grandstand, which opened 1903. A new Grandstand at Ascot was opened on 8 December 1969, which remains there today.
The W.A.T.C. moved from the Club’s offices on the corner of Howard Street and the Esplanade in Perth city, into new offices at Lee-Steere House, opposite Ascot Racecourse. The new premises honour the contribution of the Lee-Steere family. Sir Ernest Augustus Lee-Steere was Chairman of the Western Australian Turf Club from 1919 to 1940 and Sir Ernest Lee-Steere was Chairman of the Western Australian Turf Club from 1963 to 1984.
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Perth Racing spends over $4 million a year on equine welfare programmes, including initiatives for retraining retired horses, funding veterinary research, baseline scanning, and training those who look after the thoroughbreds. We also invest thousands of hours into the preparation of racing surfaces to ensure they are as safe and fair as possible.
Perth Racing is proud to support thoroughbred welfare research in collaboration with TeleMedVET. A licensed scientific organisation registered with the animal ethics committee, TeleMedVET generates scientific data focused on racehorse welfare.
Thoroughbred racehorses are the equine champions of our sport. We take their safety and wellbeing very seriously – not least because their wellbeing also helps safeguard our human participants.