Lyla Lindsey
Western Australia is home to some of the best horse tracks in the country, with Bunbury, two hours south of Perth, being a particular highlight. The Ascot Carnival in Perth is the highlight of the Western Australia racing calendar, with three Group One races taking place in late November and early December each year. The WATC Derby, also known as the Western Australia Derby, is another notable event, taking place annually in April at Ascot Racecourse.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Racing season | Late November to early December |
| Highlight of the racing calendar | Ascot Carnival in Perth |
| Number of Group One races | 3 |
| Race names | Group 1 Railway Stakes, Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes, Group 1 Kingston Town Classic |
| Race distances | 1600m, 1200m, 1800m |
| Prize money per race | $1,000,000 |
| Number of Group 2 races | N/A |
| Race names | Perth Cup, WA Guineas |
| Prize money per race | $500,000 |
| Other notable races | WATC Derby (Group 2, $400,000 prize money) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds at set weights |
| Race distance | 2400 metres |
| Race location | Ascot Racecourse, Perth |
| Race timing | April |
| Historical race date | New Year's Day and the day before, Christmas/New Year's Day Carnival |
| Entertainment | Food and drink options, live music, viewing the horses and grounds, original horse buggies and Hansom Cab |
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What You'll Learn
The Ascot Carnival in Perth
The Ascot Racing Carnival is a premier racing season filled with world-class events and entertainment. It features three Group One races: the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m), Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m), and the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m). Each of these races offers $1,000,000 in prize money. There are also several Group 2 races worth $500,000 each, including the Perth Cup and WA Guineas. The TABtouch Masters, held at Ascot, is the world's only single-track thoroughbred festival, featuring a Group One race worth at least $1,000,000 across three consecutive Saturdays.
The season usually kicks off with the Unite Resourcing Ascot Opening Day, followed by racedays celebrating sports, fashion, and entertainment. The TABtouch Melbourne Cup Day at Ascot is Perth's only trackside Cup Day party. The Pinnacles, supported by TABtouch, feature five Saturdays of world-class racing, live music, and celebrations, making it WA's ultimate racing showcase. The carnival closes with the TABtouch Perth Cup Day on New Year's Day, Western Australia's most iconic racing party.
Ascot Racecourse is well known for its dining and entertainment options, offering over 15 restaurants, bars, and casual dining options. The atmosphere is described as electric, with thrilling racing, music, and entertainment. The racing season at Ascot also includes the cooler months, during which entry to Belmont Park Racecourse is free.
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Bunbury: home to some of WA's best horses
Western Australia is home to some of the best horse racing tracks in the country. The Ascot Carnival in Perth is the highlight of the Western Australia racing calendar, with three Group One races taking place each year in late November and early December.
However, some of the best horses to come out of WA started their careers in Bunbury, a city located around 2 hours by car south of Perth. The Bunbury Turf Club offers fantastic access for just $200/year and is known for its high standard of racing. The facilities are good, with excellent food and drink options, and the grounds are fabulous for walking around and viewing the horses.
The "jewel in the crown" of the Bunbury track is the Chronograph, installed in 1903, which was one of only two of its type installed at a racetrack in Australia. The track also features a reconstructed 1840 horse buggy and the original Hansom Cab, restored after being discovered in an old shed.
Bunbury is also a great place to find horses for sale, with a range of classified listings offering everything from saddles and gear to Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds. Whether you're looking to get into horse racing or just enjoy a day out at the tracks, Bunbury is a great destination for horse lovers in Western Australia.
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The WATC Derby
The race offers substantial prize money, which has contributed to its allure and competitiveness. The purse has seen gradual increases over the years, ensuring that the WATC Derby remains a highly sought-after prize. The race conditions require that entrants carry set weights, with colts and geldings allotted 56.5 kg and fillies allotted 54.5 kg. This weight scale is designed to provide a fair opportunity for all participants and often results in a tightly contested race.
Several notable horses have inscribed their names in the record books of the WATC Derby. One of the most memorable triumphs was that of the great Northerly, who claimed victory in the 2001 edition. Nicknamed the "Fighting Tiger", Northerly went on to become one of the most beloved and accomplished Australian racehorses of his era, capturing multiple Group 1 victories, including the prestigious Cox Plate. His success in the WATC Derby was an early indication of his immense talent and set the stage for his subsequent achievements.
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Provincial trotting tracks
Western Australia is home to a number of provincial trotting tracks, which are located outside of the metropolitan area and offer a unique and exciting racing experience. These tracks provide a platform for local and emerging talent, as well as established names, to showcase their skills in harness racing. The sport involves Standardbred horses, who trot or pace at speed while pulling a driver in a sulky, a lightweight two-wheeled cart.
One of the key provincial trotting tracks in Western Australia is the Bunbury Trotting Club, situated in the coastal city of Bunbury, around 175 kilometres south of Perth. The club hosts regular trotting events, including feature races such as the Bunbury Cup and the South West Derby. The track itself is 850 metres in length, providing a challenging and exciting racing surface for competitors.
Another important provincial venue is the Pinjarra Oval Trotting Track, part of the Pinjarra Park Racing Complex, located in the Peel region, around 50 kilometres south of Perth. The track is 809 metres in circumference and features a unique, intimate atmosphere, with a covered standing area and a grassed area for spectators to enjoy the racing action. The Pinjarra Trotting Club conducts regular meetings, including feature events such as the Pinjarra Cup and the Peel Cup.
Provincial trotting also takes place at the Geraldton Harness Racing Club, located in the coastal city of Geraldton, approximately 450 kilometres north of Perth. The club conducts regular meetings at its trotting track, which is part of the GBSC Racing Complex. The venue provides a great day out for locals and visitors alike, with a range of facilities and a vibrant atmosphere.
Additionally, the Northam Harness Racing Club, situated in the heart of the Avon Valley, around 96 kilometres east of Perth, offers trotting action at its track within the Northam Recreation Centre. The club holds regular meetings, including feature races such as the Avon Valley Cup and the Northam Cup, attracting competitors from across the state. These provincial tracks play a vital role in fostering local talent and providing an accessible, entertaining racing experience for communities across Western Australia.
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Racing initiatives and entertainment
Horse racing is a popular spectator sport in Western Australia, with a range of racing initiatives and entertainment on offer. One of the highlights of the racing calendar is the Ascot Carnival in Perth, which features three Group One races: the Railway Stakes, the Winterbottom Stakes, and the Kingston Town Classic. Each of these races offers $1,000,000 in prize money. The Ascot Racecourse also hosts the WATC Derby, a Group 2 Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds, with a total prize pool of $400,000. This race has a long history, dating back to the 1800s, and was traditionally held during the Christmas/New Year period.
In addition to the races in Perth, there are several other popular racecourses in Western Australia, including Bunbury, Pinjarra, York, Geraldton, Albany, Kalgoorlie, and Northam. The Perth Cup, held each New Year's Day at Ascot, is one of the most popular races in the region.
Western Australia's racing industry is also committed to the welfare of retired racehorses. Off the Track WA is an initiative that promotes the retraining and rehoming of these horses, ensuring they have a positive and rewarding transition after their racing careers.
The racecourses themselves also provide entertainment beyond the track. Visitors can enjoy excellent food and drink options, live music, and social events. Some racecourses also feature historical exhibits, such as a reconstructed 1840 horse buggy and the original Hansom Cab, as well as a Chronograph installed on the course in 1903.
With its combination of thrilling races, entertainment, and commitment to racehorse welfare, Western Australia offers a well-rounded and exciting horse racing experience for spectators and industry participants alike.
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Frequently asked questions
The Ascot Carnival in Perth is the highlight of the Western Australia racing calendar. It takes place in late November and early December each year and features three Group One races.
The Group One races at the Ascot Carnival are the Railway Stakes, the Winterbottom Stakes, and the Kingston Town Classic.
The WATC Derby, also known as the Western Australia Derby, is a Group 2 race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, run over a distance of 2400 metres. It takes place in April.
Other popular racecourses in Western Australia include Bunbury, Pinjarra, York, Geraldton, Albany, Kalgoorlie, and Northam.
Thoroughbred horse racing is a popular spectator sport in Australia, with almost two million admissions to racecourses across the country in 2009/10. Gambling on horse races is also a common pastime, with A$14.3 billion wagered in the same period.
