Ascot Racecourse is the major racecourse in
Perth
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is ...
, Western Australia, situated approximately east of the
Perth central business district
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is p ...
, with the headquarters of the
Perth Racing
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 Pe ...
positioned directly opposite.
It is regarded as the "grand old lady" of Australian racecourses. It has a track with modern, well drained turf, and a track inclining straight regarded by experts as the most severe test of stayers in Australia.
History
In 1848 a race meeting was held on Hardey's "Grove Farm" alongside the
Swan River. Soon afterwards a site was selected for a permanent course on Hardey's propertythis became the Perth Race Course (later Ascot Racecourse). In 1852, the
West Australian Turf Club was formed.
The inaugural Perth Cup was held in 1887.
In 1885 a
railway
Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a pre ...
was constructed to the northern side of Swan River opposite the racecourse. The railway was extended across the river to the racecourse in 1897. The railway and station were removed in 1957.
Races
The following is a list of
Group races
Group races, also known as Pattern races, or Graded races in some jurisdictions, are the highest level of races in Thoroughbred horse racing. They include most of the world's iconic races, such as, in Europe, the Derby, Irish Derby and Prix de l'A ...
which are run at Ascot Racecourse.
Key
* hcp - handicap
* sw - set weights
* wfa -
weight for age
{{use dmy dates, date=October 2022
Weight for Age (WFA) is a term in thoroughbred horse racing which is one of the conditions for a race.
History
The principle of WFA was developed by Admiral Rous, a handicapper with the English Jockey Club. Rous ...
Culture
The
Perth Cup
The Perth Cup is a Perth Racing Group 2 Thoroughbred horse race run under quality handicap conditions over a distance of at Ascot Racecourse in Perth, Western Australia in January, usually on New Year's Day. The total prize money is $400,000.
...
is Perth's feature event on the racing calendar held annually either on New Year's Day or a nearby Saturday.
See also
*
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse racing facility in the northeastern United States, located in Elmont, New York, just east of the New York City limits. It was opened on May 4, 1905.
It is operated by the non-profit New York Racin ...
, Perth Racing's alternate season track to Ascot
*
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse ("ascot" pronounced , often pronounced ) is a dual-purpose British racecourse, located in Ascot, Berkshire, England, which is used for thoroughbred horse racing. It hosts 13 of Britain's 36 annual Flat Group 1 horse races and ...
in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
.
References
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Horse racing venues in Australia
Sports venues in Perth, Western Australia
Ascot, Western Australia