CAULFIELD RACECOURSE

The Caulfield Racecourse, a premier racecourse in metropolitan Melbourne, which has been the site of horse racing since the late 1850s and was more formally developed from 1876 by the Victoria Amateur Turf Club (VATC). It also had long standing use for training and stabling. Buildings and features of particular significance include the racetrack; the Flat and North lake at the centre of the course; the Boomerang Buffet building (1919); the Scratchings Board building (c.1920s); main entry gate (1928), east and west delivery gates and boundary walls (1920s and 1950s); surviving mature exotic trees; Race day stalls (dating c.1920s onwards); the Hiskens Stand (1935); the Afternoon Tea Room (1939); Maple building (c.1958); Betting Indicator Board (c.1952); the Norman Robinson Stand (1960); and Stewards’ towers.

Caulfield Racecourse is of historical, architectural, aesthetic and social significance to the State of Victoria. It satisfies the following criteria for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register:

The Caulfield Racecourse is historically significant as one of Victoria’s and Australia’s premier racecourses, and as one of only three major metropolitan racecourses in Victoria in operation since the nineteenth century. The place was permanently established as a racecourse reserve in 1876, although races have been run in this location since the late 1850s. Since 1879 it has been home to the Caulfield Cup, an internationally renowned handicap race, and a key lead up and qualifying event to the Melbourne Cup.

Since the 1870s it has been associated with the VATC one of three major metropolitan racing clubs, continuing as the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC). Caulfield is an evolved complex comprising a range of buildings and site features associated with racing operations (including the preparation of horses, betting, officiating of races and the provision of hospitality). Collectively, these reflect both on Caulfield’s long history and status as a major and prestigious metropolitan racecourse in Victoria and on the different phases in that history. In particular, Caulfield is distinguished by its cohesive collection of racecourse-related buildings and elements dating from the interwar period. 

The Caulfield Racecourse is significant as a notable example of a racecourse within Victoria. It demonstrates a great number of the principal characteristics of a racecourse and can be considered a fine example. It retains a collection of comparatively intact racecourse-related buildings and elements of some distinction, dating from the first half of the twentieth century. These include the 1919 Boomerang Buffet building; 1928 Gatehouse at the main entrance; sections of the boundary wall to the racecourse, 1920s Scratchings Board building; 1939 Afternoon Tea Room (Luncheon Room); 1935 Hiskens Stand and the extensive collection of race day horse stalls (1920s–1950s). The 1950s Betting Indicator (‘tote’) Board is an early, rare and substantial surviving example. More generally, the buildings and structures, in their planning and arrangement, demonstrate aspects of the historic layout and function of the racecourse, including the concentration of racecourse-related structures at the northern end where they are the focus of race day operations, members’ facilities, and the spectator experience. The built elements of the place are complemented by a landscape that is characterised by the expanse of the track, central flat and mature trees.

Aesthetically, the landscape of the racecourse is also significant, with the powerful combination of the course, the expanse of the central flat and the remaining mature trees in the northern precinct which enhance the setting of the collection of historic buildings, augmenting the race day experience and provide valued amenity for race goers. A number of the interwar buildings which share design features that are of aesthetic distinction. 

The setting, including the Central Flat, and mature landscape character, as well as the collection of brick buildings from the first half of the twentieth century, also conveys a strong sense of an historic racecourse

The Caulfield Racecourse is socially significant for its associations with the horse racing community since the mid-nineteenth century. Caulfield Racecourse is renowned as the location of several of Australia’s premier horse races and there is a high degree of public recognition for the place. It is home to the most Group 1 races in Victoria apart from Flemington. For much of its history it has been visited in person by sizeable crowds who have gathered to participate in, officiate, work at, watch or bet on horse races. Caulfield is popular and valued for these reasons, including by punters, members of the Victorian racing community and people associated with the industry, and members of the Melbourne Racing Club.

The Caulfield Racecourse is significant for its associations with the VATC, now known as the MRC. From the late nineteenth century, the VATC became one of the most influential racing associations in Victoria, having founded one of the state’s most prestigious horse racing events (the Caulfield Cup) and premier racing and training facilities (Caulfield Racecourse). The VATC/MRC has continually developed, expanded and improved the racecourse since selecting Caulfield as its home venue in 1876. The club’s principal event, the Caulfield Cup, has also been held at the racecourse annually for close to 140 years.