Bendigo Racecourse

The Bendigo Racecourse complex at 1-75 Racecourse Road, Ascot, including the Grandstand, Leinhop Lodge, Manfred Room, the course itself and associated landscaping, is of significance.

How is it significant?

The Bendigo Racecourse complex is of historical, aesthetic/architectural, social and associative significance.

Why is it significant?

The Bendigo Racecourse complex is of historical significance for its long and early association with the sport of horse racing in Victoria and Bendigo. Opened in 1864, the racecourse has been in operation for almost 150 years on this site. The site is also of interest for its use by the military as a training camp for recruits during both World War I and World War II.

The complex is a fine and representative example of a regional racecourse which includes all of the elements that would typically be found at such places, including the course itself, grandstand and other related buildings and structures.

The place as a whole is aesthetically significant for demonstrating the visual qualities associated with grassed horse racing tracks, including the numerous mature native and exotic trees in the landscaped setting.

The Bendigo Racecourse complex is of social significance. Horse racing is one of the oldest sports played in Greater Bendigo, with the first races on the Bendigo goldfields held in 1854. The Bendigo Cup remains a popular horse racing event; the Victorian public holiday for race day is observed locally for the Bendigo Cup Day, not the Melbourne Cup.

The 1902 grandstand is of individual historical and architectural significance as a large and substantially intact example of a Federation era grandstand which incorporates notable cast iron detailing. It is of interest for its association with local architect Ernest J. Keogh, who in partnership with Austin designed a number of hotels, shops, offices and a citizen club in the Bendigo area, and also worked for the Catholic Diocese in Bendigo. Ernest Keogh was later joined by his son and they continued to undertake work for the Catholic Diocese in Bendigo, and elsewhere, from the 1920s.

Group

Recreation and Entertainment

Category

Racecourse