Royal Randwick will mark 150 years of horse racing by the AJC at the iconic Sydney course on 29 May, with a race meeting which embraces its strong community links. 

In addition to free course entry Members will be able to collect two complimentary Members' Guest tickets from either the General office or Members' Gate A on Saturday 29 May.

"Randwick has been part of the very fabric of its local community since the AJC began racing here in 1860,” AJC Chief Executive Darren Pearce said today. 

“We are organising a great day out to celebrate the course’s history and to thank our Members, racing participants and partners in the community down through many generations. 

“To celebrate this momentous occasion, we have invited our key community partners, including the Randwick Council, Sydney Children’s Hospital and the University of NSW to join us at Royal Randwick for our Anniversary race day.” 

Mr Pearce said that the AJC’s day of celebration would include free entry to all racegoers, fund-raising for the Children’s Hospital, exhibitions, giveaways, music and free children’s activities. 

“There will be something for everyone in this celebration of racing and our history.” 

The AJC ran its first Royal Randwick meeting over three days, starting on Tuesday 29 May 1860. The event was viewed with great interest by the Sydney media. 

Bell's Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer, Australia's first sporting newspaper, carried a detailed account in its June 2 issue. 

The newspaper declared that the meeting 'fell but little short of the sanguine expectations we had entertained' and that all events 'passed off without a hitch'. 

Around thirty thousand people attended the three days, although ‘the prevailing epidemic deterred many hundreds, if not thousands’. 

The newspaper also reported that on the final day, ‘the Stand was crowded with fashionably attired persons of both sexes’. 

In the last race of the first day, the Tattersall’s Free Handicap, the legendary Archer, then a three year old colt, finished well back in the mile and a half race. 

“I note with interest that the newspaper reporter declared that ‘the colt will never make a ‘flyer’,” Mr Pearce said. 

“Archer went on to win two Melbourne Cups!” 

Mr Pearce said that as well as opening the gates free to the public on 29 May, the AJC would offer a free Royal Randwick special edition cap to the first 3000 people to purchase a commemorative racebook. 

The AJC will provide $1 meat pies on the day and a giant 150 year anniversary cake will be cut to mark the occasion and shared with the crowd. 

Monday, 31 May is the beginning of the Sydney Children’s Hospital annual Gold Week. 

“All patrons will be encouraged to make a gold coin donation to the hospital on arrival at the track as part of the AJC’s pledge to help the hospital raise $40,000 for much needed research and emergency equipment,” Mr Pearce said. 

Free children’s activities on the Queen’s Lawn, will include:

• Petting zoo
• Pony rides
• Interactive inflatable games - The Big Challenge and the Olympic Obstacle
• Face painting clowns
• Balloon sculpting
• Big Screen featuring a series of photographs from the inaugural race day in 1860
• Giant birthday cake
• Vintage cars on display
• NRL Kids’ Clinic – kick the footy with some of the boys and meet the team mascots!
 

“The AJC would especially like to invite families to bring a picnic and enjoy the view of the famous Randwick straight and the mighty thoroughbred. 

A memorabilia and great trophies of racing exhibition will be set up in the Lower Tea House and a parade of ex-champion racehorses will include Racing to Win, Grand Armee and Saintly. 

“What a great day to celebrate the history of Royal Randwick and its local community,” Mr Pearce said.