This is a list of racecourses in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The list includes both existing and former racecourses. Former racecourses are included in the list for historical interest only. The list is in alphabetic order. Unofficial or sponsorship names are shown in single inverted commas.

There were various types of racing:

Greyhound racing - racing of greyhound dogs chasing a lure Harness racing - racing of standardbred horses pulling a driver in a two-wheeled cart, with different races for pace (more commonly) or trot gaits Pony racing (*) - racing at gallop of unregistered full-sized thoroughbreds and mixed-bred racehorses of a slightly smaller breed, at private courses Thoroughbred racing - racing at gallop of registered thoroughbred horses Steeplechase - horse racing involving jumping barriers; a course for this racing once existed at what is now Russell Lea, then part of Five Dock. Typically, racecourses in Sydney were, and are, dedicated to one type of racing only. Pony racing and steeplechases no longer take place in Sydney.

(*) Sometimes referred to as 'Pony and Galloway racing', where Galloway has the specific Australian meaning of a horse between 14 and 15 hands.

Course NameOwner(s) / Operator(s)Location and CoordinatesType of racing Years of operationRelevant informationCurrent useAscot RacecoursePrivately ownedNorth of Ross Smith Avenue, MascotPony racing1904—1941 Racing:

Training:Now part of Kingsford-Smith Airport, used for long-term parkingBankstown PacewayBankstown Harness Racing ClubBetween Milperra & Eldridge Roads, Condell ParkHarness racing1953—presentRacecourseBrighton RacecourseThomas SaywellNorth side of Bay Street, Brighton-le-Sands.Pony racing Harness racing1895—1911Course was made by levelling a sandhill.Residential housing in Princess and Gordon Streets and Moate Avenue.Canterbury Park RacecourseSydney Turf Club, from 2011 Australian Turf ClubBounded by Cooks River, King Street, John Street, and housing in the north, at Canterbury.In early years, pony racing. Thoroughbred horse racing1884—presentInitially, race meetings were annual events, dating back to at least 1871. Called Caterbury Park from early 1884.RacecourseFive Dock Farm Mr AbercrombieIn the area of what is now the suburb, Russell Lea. One source says that the course was actually near to Birkenhead Point.Steeplechase racing1844—1846Later site of the mansion 'Russel Lea Manor' and subsequently the suburb of Russell Lea.Grose FarmThe original "Sydney Turf Club", which later became the Australian Jockey ClubIn the area of the University of Sydney campus, or Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, at Camperdown. (Exact location not available.)Thoroughbred horse racing1826—1840Racing moved to HomebushUniversity of Sydney or Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Harold Park PacewayNSW Harness Racing ClubArea bounded by Minogue Crescent, original route of Ross Street, and RozelleTram Depot, Forest LodgePony racing Harness racing Greyhound racingPony racing, while known as Epping Raceway. Harness racing 1911–2010

Greyhounds 1927 —1987Originally called Forest Lodge, then Epping Raceway. Course was extended in 1996.Residential housing, and some public open space as parklandHawkesbury Racecourse 'Windsor Racecourse'Hawkesbury Turf Club Currently, Hawkesbury Race ClubRacecourse Road, ClarendonThoroughbred horse racingc.1830—nowVenue for the Hawkesbury Guineas Clarendon railway station was named Hawkesbury Racecourse from 1870 up to 1876.RacecourseHomebushAustralian Jockey ClubNorth of Great Western Highway, at Homebush West (opposite Flemington Markets) (Exact location not available)Thoroughbred horse racing1841—1859Was on land owned by William Wentworth. AJC moved to Randwick in 1859Part of Sydney Olympic Park Hyde ParkNSW GovernmentWhat is now Hyde Park, in Sydney CBD, with the finish and grandstand being near what is now Market Street.Thoroughbred horse racing1810—1825 Governor Brisbane banned horseracing in 1825.It set the pattern that horse races run clockwise in NSW.Hyde Park, Sydney.Kensington RacecourseRosehill Racing ClubArea bounded by High Street, Anzac Parade, and Barker Street, KensingtonPony racing1893—1942Race meetings were held mid-week, so as not to compete with nearby Randwick. Used as a military camp from 1942Now part of the University of NSW. Part of its tote building remains.Menangle Park Paceway Sponsorship name "Tabcorp Park, Menangle"New South Wales Harness Racing Club Adjacent to Menangle Park railway station.Harness racing1914—now It was a racecourse until 1953The principal paceway for Sydney since closure of Harold Park.RacecourseMoorfield RacecourseP. J. Moore / Moorefield Turf Club LimitedThe area of Kogarah bounded by President Avenue, Princes Highway, Marshall Street and the eastern boundary of Scarborough Park.Pony racing1888—1951St George TAFE, James Cook Boys Technology High School, Moorefield Girls High School, and residential housing.Penrith PacewayPenrith District A H & I Society, trading as Club PacewayBounded by Mulgoa Road, houses on Rodley Ave, Station Street and Ransley Street, PenrithHarness racing1900—nowRacecoursePetersham RacecourseThomas ShawOn paddocks south from Woolpack Inn (now Bald Faced Stag Hotel) on Parramatta Road, Leichhardt, extending to what is now railway line at Petersham.Horse racing (type uncertain)1845—1849Grandstand was on what is now Railway St, Petersham.Now largely residential housingRosebery Park RacecoursePrivately ownedCorner of Botany Road and Gardeners Road (in 1894, Rainbow St), AlexandriaPony racing & Training1895—1906Closed in December 1906, with racing moved to a new course. Land purchased by what is now NSWAFL, and used as a football field until c1915, when they could not afford the repayments.Now factories.Rosebery RacecourseRosebery Turf Club, later Sydney Turf ClubSouthern side of Gardeners Road in EastlakesPony racingRacing: 1906–1942

Training:

c.1946—1962Now Eastlakes Shopping Centre, residential housing, and Jack Mundey Park.Rosehill Gardens RacecourseJohn Bennett From 1943, Sydney Turf Club From 2011, Australian Turf ClubBounded by Grand Ave, James Ruse Drive, Unwin Street and Colquoun Street, RosehillThoroughbred horse racing1888—nowRoyal Randwick RacecourseFrom 1860, Australian Jockey Club. From 2011, Australian Turf ClubSouthern side of Allison Road, RandwickThoroughbred horse racing1833—nowWas known as Randwick Racecourse. Renamed Royal Randwick in 1992.RacecourseVictoria Park RacecourseJames John Joynton Smith Western side of South Dowling Street, south of O'Dea Avenue, east of Joynton Avenue, ZetlandPony racingLater was site of BMC / Leyland Australia car plant.Residential housing (apartment blocks)Warwick Farm RacecourseAustralian Jockey Club From 2011, Australian Turf ClubBounded by Hume Highway, Governor Macquarie Drive, Cabramatta Creek and Georges River, Warwick FarmThoroughbred horse racingRacecourseWentworth ParkNSW Greyhound Owners Breeders and Trainers AssociationGreyhound course is part of larger Wentworth Park at Glebe.Greyhound racingPark used as a speedway until 1935 Greyhounds: 1932—nowDog track

References