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 Report
A brief recap of 170+ years of Perth Racing history

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.

A brief recap of 170+ years of Perth Racing history
1848

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.

1885

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.

1887

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.

1910

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.

1917

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

1952 marked a centenary celebration for the W.A.T.C.

1969

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.

1986

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.

Did you know?

Larger prizes
Although perhaps not as globally renowned as its Royal namesake in England, our Western Australian version of Ascot pays out more prize money on an annual basis, and our most valuable race (the $5m Quokka) is worth almost three times more than any race staged at Royal Ascot in the UK.
More races
We are one of the busiest race clubs in the world, staging over 90 fixtures a year across our two turf-based racecourses and racing almost every Wednesday and Saturday throughout the year.
Our master plan
The Club has developed a master plan for Ascot, to make use of our landholdings around the racecourse, which includes the creation of on-course stabling, a centre of excellence for equine welfare and research, jockey training and rehabilitation facilities, retail space, residential development, a childcare centre and retirement living.
Belmont developments
The land immediately surrounding Belmont Park Racecourse is the site of the state’s largest urban regeneration project – ‘Burswood Point’ is a multi-billion dollar development that will create a new suburb of Perth, featuring premium waterfront living just moments from the city centre.
Changes on the horizon
The Club is working with WA government on proposals to redevelop the Grandstand and other landholdings at Belmont Park Racecourse to create a destination venue that complements the world-class offerings at Optus Stadium and Crown Resorts on the Burswood Peninsula.
Home of champions
More than 500 horses are put through their preliminary paces at Ascot on a typical week. The venue has played an important role in the development of several champions including two-time WS Cox Plate winner, Northerly. Royal Ascot winners, Miss Andretti and Scenic Blast, also have strong ties to Ascot.
Larger prizes
Although perhaps not as globally renowned as its Royal namesake in England, our Western Australian version of Ascot pays out more prize money on an annual basis, and our most valuable race (the $5m Quokka) is worth almost three times more than any race staged at Royal Ascot in the UK.
More races
We are one of the busiest race clubs in the world, staging over 90 fixtures a year across our two turf-based racecourses and racing almost every Wednesday and Saturday throughout the year.
Our master plan
The Club has developed a master plan for Ascot, to make use of our landholdings around the racecourse, which includes the creation of on-course stabling, a centre of excellence for equine welfare and research, jockey training and rehabilitation facilities, retail space, residential development, a childcare centre and retirement living.
Belmont developments
The land immediately surrounding Belmont Park Racecourse is the site of the state’s largest urban regeneration project – ‘Burswood Point’ is a multi-billion dollar development that will create a new suburb of Perth, featuring premium waterfront living just moments from the city centre.
Changes on the horizon
The Club is working with WA government on proposals to redevelop the Grandstand and other landholdings at Belmont Park Racecourse to create a destination venue that complements the world-class offerings at Optus Stadium and Crown Resorts on the Burswood Peninsula.
Home of champions
More than 500 horses are put through their preliminary paces at Ascot on a typical week. The venue has played an important role in the development of several champions including two-time WS Cox Plate winner, Northerly. Royal Ascot winners, Miss Andretti and Scenic Blast, also have strong ties to Ascot.
2023-2024 Annual Report

Download our most recent Annual Report.

2023-24 Annual Report
Our commitment to equine welfare

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.

Read more

Ascot Racing Carnival

Expect epic entertainment, fabulous fashion, and heart racing action! Saturday 12 October 2024 to Wednesday 1 January 2025 at Ascot Racecourse.
Learn more