HISTORY OF RANDWICK

In 1833, the racing events started at Randwick.  It is located at Eastern Suburbs, Sydney, New South Wales.  This racecourse is managed by Australian Turf Club.  Governor Burke allotted this land on Botany Road for horse racing.    This is also known as Sandy Course.  The course was laid by Sir Thomas Mitchell who was the Surveyor-General.  The first race began between 2 horses.  The racing stopped in 1840 due to poor ground conditions and the tracks were used for training.  The Australian Jockey Club shifted its headquarters from Homebush to Randwick in 1860.  The official permission was given in 1863.

Australian Derby took place over the longest span of time.  In 1861, it was started by AJC Randwick Derby Stakes.  Kyogle won the race.  In Australia, the race horses named Phar Lap, Tulloch and Kingston Town have won the race in the year 1929, 1957 and 1980 respectively.  The Derby is now held in autumn; earlier it was held in spring.  St. Leger Stakes is a popular race of Randwick.  It was started in 1851 and held at Homebush.

The Randwick Racecourse is the place for religious meetings and concerts.  Pope John Paul came here in 1970.  Pope John Paul II came in 1995 for the ceremony of beautification of Mary MacKilop.  On July 2008, World  Youth Day was held here.  This racecourse was the shooting place of “Mission:  Impossible II”.  It was also used as a venue for examination by University of New South Wales. 

In April or May, the Autumn Racing Carnival is held at Randwick.  The Australian Derby is included in it.  A 1600m open handicap race is held named Doncaster  Handicap.  The prize money is $1.5 million.  The Group 1 Epsom Handicap was organized and the length of the track was 1600 meters.  The prize money was simply amazing, i.e. AUD $353,500.  Rock Kingdom won in 2009.  The AJC Australian Derby is the race where different horses won at different times.  The spectators witnessed two draws in 1919 and 1935.  The prize money is fantastic i.e. $1.8 million.  The AJC Australian Oaks was organized in 1912.  This is also called as Adrian Knox Stakes.  A horse named Uralla won this event.  The prize pool of Epsom Handicap is $350,000, which begun in 1865 in England where Epsom Derby was held.