May 29, 2020

Today marks the 160th anniversary of racing at Randwick Racecourse under the Australian Jockey Club.

On the 29th May, 1860 the Australian Jockey Club held its first meeting at Randwick, after previously racing at Homebush.

Despite the many challenges since that time such as World Wars, the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1919, Equine Influenza in 2007 – which saw a brief pause in race meetings – and the current COVID-19 pandemic, racing has been conducted at Randwick every calendar year since that first AJC meeting on this day in 1860.

This map from 1860 shows the original outline of the racecourse with a single grandstand opposite the winning post.

Image: Randwick Racecourse Map 1860 – ATC Heritage Centre collection

Find out more about the Australian Turf Club’s heritage and history