Warwick Farm Racecourse
Encyclopedia
Warwick Farm, New South Wales
Warwick Farm is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia.Warwick Farm is located 30 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Liverpool and is part of the South-western Sydney region.-History:This area was occupied by...
a south-west suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It is used as a racecourse for Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
.
Races
The following is a list of Thoroughbred group racesGroup races
Group races are the highest standard of Thoroughbred horseraces in Australia. The Australian Pattern Committee recommends to the Australian Racing Board which races shall be designated as Group races...
which are run at Warwick Farm Racecourse.
| Grp | Race Name | Age | Sex | Weight | Distance | Date |
| 2 | AJC Challenge Stakes AJC Challenge Stakes The AJC Challenge Stakes is a Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race at weight for age run over a distance of 1000 metres at Warwick Farm Racecourse, Sydney in March... |
Open | Open | wfa | 1000 | March |
| 2 | Surround Stakes Surround Stakes The Surround Stakes is an AJC Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race for three year old fillies, run at set weights over a distance of 1400 metres at Warwick Farm Racecourse, Sydney in March... |
3YO | Fillies | sw | 1400 | March |
| 2 | Warwick Stakes Warwick Stakes The Warwick Stakes is a Group 2 Australian thoroughbred horse race at Weight for Age that was traditionally run over a distance of 1400 metres at Warwick Farm Racecourse, Sydney in August... |
Open | Open | wfa | 1400 | August |
| 3 | Liverpool City Cup Liverpool City Cup The Liverpool City Cup is a Group 3 Australian Thoroughbred quality open handicap horse race for horses aged three year old and upwards, run over a distance of 1300 metres at Warwick Farm Racecourse, Sydney in March... |
Open | Open | qlty | 1300 | March |
| 3 | Silver Shadow Stakes Silver Shadow Stakes The Silver Shadow Stakes is an AJC Group 3 Australian Thoroughbred horse race for three year old fillies, run at set weights with penalties, over a distance of 1200 metres at Warwick Farm Racecourse, Sydney in August... |
3YO | Fillies | swp | 1200 | August |
| 3 | Up And Coming Stakes Up and Coming Stakes The Up and Coming Stakes is an AJC Group 3 Australian Thoroughbred horse race for 3 year old colts and geldings, run at set weights with penalties, over a distance of 1200 metres at Warwick Farm Racecourse, Sydney in August... |
3YO | C&G | swp | 1200 | August |
Transport
It is within close walking distance of Warwick Farm railway station. A free bus service between the racecourse and the station is available on racedays.The racecourse was once served by a direct rail link off the Main Southern Line north of Warwick Farm station. Racecourse Special trains from the City and North Sydney were able to arrive at the racecourse entrance. This branch line was owned by the AJC and operated by CityRail and its predecessors. When the AJC decided not to fund maintenance of the line, it was closed in August 1990.
http://www.ajc.com.au/upcomingraces/transportguide_warwick.aspx
History
In the early 1880s William Alexander Long bought J.H. Stroud's Warwick Park grant north of Liverpool. By 1884 he had also developed his property across the river, Chipping NortonChipping Norton
Chipping Norton is a market town in the Cotswold Hills in the West Oxfordshire district of Oxfordshire, England, about southwest of Banbury.-History until the 17th century:...
, building stables and tracks. Long lived at Chipping Norton until 1901 when the banks foreclosed on him. His most successful horse Grand Flanneur won the Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's major Thoroughbred horse race. Marketed as "the race that stops a nation", it is a 3,200 metre race for three-year-olds and over. It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world, and one of the richest turf races...
in 1880. He sold the Warwick Park estate in 1882 to William Forrester, who changed to name to Warwick Farm to match his initials. He became one of the most successful trainers of his time and in 1889 he and Edwin Oatley were the principals in the formation of the Warwick Farm Racing Club. Forrester owned two Melbourne Cup winners, Gaulus in 1897 and The Grafter in 1898. Forrester died almost destitute not long after his last winner The Watch Dog, won the Ellesmere Stakes at Randwick Racecourse
Randwick Racecourse
Royal Randwick Racecourse is a racecourse for horseracing in the Eastern Suburbs in Sydney, New South Wales. Randwick Racecourse, is operated by the Australian Jockey Club and known to many Sydney racegoers as headquarters...
in 1901. Early in the twentieth century the racecourse was owned by Edwin Oatley who died in 1920. His son, Cecil, was the Manager of the property for a number of years, until 1924. Another son, Percy, was Secretary of the Warwick Farm Racing Club from 1906 until 1914. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the racecourse was utilised as a camp by Australian, American and British armed forces. The camp was known as Camp Warwick and also HMS Golden Hind.
Motorsport
Warwick Farm RacewayWarwick Farm Raceway
Warwick Farm Raceway was a motor racing facility which was in operation from 1960 to 1973. Warwick Farm Raceway hosted numerous major events during its life such as the Australian Grand Prix and rounds of both the Australian Touring Car Championship and the Tasman Series.-History:Warwick Farm...
was built in the same area in the 1950s. It became a major track in the 1960s and hosted major events such as the Australian Grand Prix
Australian Grand Prix
The Australian Grand Prix is a motor race held annually and is held to be the pinnacle of motor racing in Australia. The Grand Prix is the oldest surviving motor racing competition held in Australia having been held 76 times since it was first run at Phillip Island in 1928. Since 1985 the race has...
, Australian Touring Car Championship
Australian Touring Car Championship
The Australian Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing award held in Australia since 1960. The series itself is no longer contested, but the title lives on, with the winner of the V8 Supercar Championship Series awarded the trophy and title of Australian Touring Car Champion.-History:The...
and Tasman Series
Tasman Series
The Tasman Series was a motor racing series held from 1964 to 1975, in Australia and New Zealand, and named after the Tasman Sea between the two countries...
. It hosted the Australian Grand Prix
Australian Grand Prix
The Australian Grand Prix is a motor race held annually and is held to be the pinnacle of motor racing in Australia. The Grand Prix is the oldest surviving motor racing competition held in Australia having been held 76 times since it was first run at Phillip Island in 1928. Since 1985 the race has...
on four occasions in 1963, 1967, 1970 & 1971. In the early 1970s it conducted a round of the South Pacific Series for Production cars. The last major race at Warwick Farm was the final round of the 1973 Australian Touring Car Championship on 15 July and the circuit closed in August.