The Royal Randwick Racecourse, six kilometres out of the Sydney CBD, is a horse racing track run by the Australian Jockey Club (AJC). Located in the Eastern suburb of Randwick, the course is known to many Sydney racegoers as the headquarters. With a track circumference of 2,227 metres it is the largest in New South Wales and has eight different tracks; five designated to training. The course also has 24 trainers and around 600 horses in work. The course is run clockwise and is home to many prestigious Group 1 races and the highly anticipated Autumn and Spring Racing Carnivals with 45 meetings scheduled annually.
Royal Randwick Racecourse Information
- Address: 77/97 Alison Road, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
- Telephone: (02) 9663 8400
- Track Circumference: 2,227 metres
Royal Randwick Racecourse Map
Royal Randwick Racecourse Races & Carnivals
The Randwick Racecourse boasts two major annual Carnivals on the Australian racing calendar – the Spring and Autumn Racing Carnivals.
The Spring Carnival is held over September to November and is a major lead-up to the Melbourne Racing Carnival with strong Group 1 races such as:
- The George Main Stakes; an open weight-for age race over 1,200 metres.
- The Epsom Handicap; an open handicap over 1,600 metres.
- The Flight Stakes; a 3YO fillies set-weight races over 1,600 metres.
- Spring Champion Stakes; a 3YO open set-weight race over 2,000 metres.
- The AJC Metropolitan Handicap; An open handicap over 2,400 metres.
The Autumn Carnival is another host of strong Group 1 races and is held every April and May with the five main draw-races being:
- The Australian Derby; a 3YO set-weight race over 2,400 metres.
- AJC Oaks; a 3YO fillies set-weight race over 2,400 metres.
- AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes; An open weight-for-age race over 2,000 metres.
- Doncaster Handicap; an open handicap race over 1,600 metres.
- The Sydney Cup; An open handicap race over 3,200 metres.
Royal Randwick Racecourse History
The Royal Randwick Racecourse was originally known as ‘Sandy Course’ and held its first race in 1833. It was moved five years later to Homebush. In 1842 the Australian Jockey Club was established and moved back to Randwick 18 years later. In 1992 Queen Elizabeth II gave permission for the course to be named ‘Royal Randwick’.
Royal Randwick Venues & Facilities
The Royal Randwick Racecourse has many options for members such as The Galaxy Dining Room where a full buffet lunch or afternoon tea is available. The Officials’ Open Terraces are also available for a more laid back affair. The Panorama Room is located in the Paddock Grandstand with spectacular views over the racecourse and is available to the general public; there are also the Panorama Open Terraces. Not just used for horse racing, the Randwick Racecourse is also used for other events such as music concerts, with previous performers being The Rolling Stones.
Travelling To Randwick Racecourse
Train: The closest train station to the racecourse is Green Square train station 2.5km away on the Airport and East Hills line.
Bus: If travelling on weekend race day’s buses depart from Chalmers Street, Central Station and travel directly to the racecourse.
Car: There is limited parking at the racecourse, but it will take about 15 minutes to get there from Sydney’s city centre.
