One of Sydney’s favourite annual events, the autumn racing season will be back this March and April for six weeks of thoroughbred racing. If you’re interested in seeing some of the best events held during the upcoming months, you can expect to take a trip to one of the following racecourses this autumn.
Take a Trip to the Historic Royal Randwick
Located relatively close to Sydney’s city centre, the Royal Randwick dates back to 1833 when the first race occurred on this historic racecourse. Regular racing was held until 1838, but the track soon fell out of use due to track deterioration. In 1860, races returned to the racecourse and the first official derby of the Australian Jockey Club was held in 1861. With a circumference of 2224 metres, many of the races during the autumn racing season are held at Royal Randwick including the Doncaster Handicap, the AJC Australian Derby, the AJC Australian Oaks and the Sydney Cup. If you’re planning on making a visit to the Royal Randwick soon, you can utilize the public parking available at the infield car park which is just off High Street and adjacent to the University of New South Wales.
See the Golden Slippers at Rosehill Gardens
Located a little farther from the city, Rosehill Gardens is situated 23 kilometres from Sydney in the suburb of Parramatta. This racecourse was constructed in 1885 and has been in use for the racing seasons since its inception. With a circumference of 2048 metres and a 408 metre straight, Rosehill Gardens features many of the autumn racing season races including the Coolmore Study, the Ranvet Stakes, the Apollo Stakes, the Ajax Stakes, the Queen of the Turf Stakes, and the most popular race, the Golden Slipper Stakes which features 2 year old horses. If you’re driving to Rosehill for the races, you can park at the infield car park or along James Ruse Drive. Otherwise, you might want to take the Carlingford line on public transport which stops right across from the racecourse.
A Racecourse Popular for Family Recreation: Warwick Farm
Located approximately 30 kilometres from Sydney’s city centre, the Warwick Farm racecourse has been in use since 1884 and also happens to be a popular location for family picnics. The racetrack has a circumference of 1937 metres and a 326 metre straight. While Warwick Farm is not as prominent a course as the Royal Randwick or Rosehill Gardens racecourses, it is still used in the autumn racing season for the AJC Challenge Stakes, the Surround Stakes and the Liverpool Cup. If you’re planning a visit to this racecourse, you can use the infield parking lot available close to the racecourse or take the rail line to the Warwick Farm railway station.
If you’re thinking about taking in some of the events of the Sydney racing season this autumn, there’s a good chance you’ll be heading to one of these prominent racecourses. Whether it’s Royal Randwick, Rosehill Gardens or Warwick Estates, these venues will be among the places to be (and be seen at) during this year’s events!
