1. History Of Horse Racing In Australia Vs
2. History Of Horse Racing In Australia Map

Australia is known for its immense interest in horse racing and is home to nearly 400 racecourses in total. These racecourses exist all over the country, and are classed as either Metropolitan, Provincial or Country racetracks. Metropolitan racecourses are usually home to the big Group races and are often better quality than other racecourses. Horse racing found its way to Australia during the early years of settlement. The first horses arrived in Australian shores in 1788 along with the First Fleet. The cargo consisted of a stallion, a colt, a filly and four manes. The horse population grew quickly throughout the 19th century with around 203 horses in New South Walesalone by 1810. The dark side of the horse racing industry has been exposed on ABC's 7.30 program. It was the culmination of a gruelling two-year-long investigation — that gathered damning evidence of the mass slaughter of racehorses who are deemed no longer 'useful'. Today's Australian horse racing scratchings, betting & results including the Melbourne Cup. 100% free horse racing tips. Horse racing in Australia dates back to early 1788. The race was introduced to the country immediately the first settlers arrived. It was in January that year when Governor Philip came aboard ship Lady Penrhynthe and docked at Port Jackson with the first horses. He brought with him four mares, a stallion, a filly and a colt.

See: http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/Aus/AusHistHerringer.html

History Of Horse Racing In Australia Vs

Author Philip Herringer has performed a monumental task in producing this succinct summary of the fascinating history of thoroughbred racing in Australia. I dutifully acknowledge the source and contents. Philip’s summary cited herewith is interesting; to say the least!

Featured Image: Racing at Five Dock (Sydney) in 1844

Conclusion

From its earliest days, Australia has been a horse-racing country, though the start was slow due to the nature of settlement and the distance from Europe. When fortunes expanded — due first to wool and cattle, and then to mining — racing and thoroughbred breeding became firmly established. The people who settled and made Australia which developed into a country from six colonies enjoyed and fostered racing without exception, whatever their social status. Today with the syndication of shares in a racehorse, racing has become even more egalitarian.

History Of Horse Racing In Australia Map

Anything to do with the racing industry is as good as any in the world, and often better. A major factor in the money that comes into the industry is that which comes from paying sponsors for races. The average Australian Group 1 race provides a greater stake than most in the racing world. Today racing is marketed to people who have money to spend, not necessarily an interest in racing per-se. The carnival atmosphere of the major annual meetings such as the Cups and Derbies, provides a great outlet for the products of fashion and entertainment. All this provides the income and incentive for the improvement of bloodstock through higher prices for horses which have the pedigrees that suggest champion status. It can be said that 99.9% of the Australian population participates in racing, even if it is only a ticket in the office sweep/lottery on the Melbourne Cup. Beyond any shadow of a doubt, Australia is the world’s top horse racing nation.

Acknowledgements

In spite of the passion for thoroughbred racing in Australia, there are only two authors who have attempted a comprehensive history of the sport from the beginnings until modern times. Andrew Lemon has completed the first two volumes of an intended trilogy. It is a pity further volumes have not come forwarded to date. One hopes that another will come in the future. The late sports writer Jack Pollard produced an outstanding “dictionary” type of work in Australian Horse Racing ‚ a racegoer’s companion to the Australian turf. To these two men, thank you for your books’ help, without which I would have found this short work much more difficult to research.

The History of the Australian Turf, Vols. 1 and 2, by Andrew Lemon, Classic Reproductions, Melbourne, Australia, 1987
Australian Horse Racing, by Jack Pollard, Sydney, Australia, 1988