Williamstown Racecourse

Williamstown Racecourse was a horse racing track located at Altona, Victoria, Australia.

Aerial view of Williamstown Racecourse, with Hobsons Bay in background, taken circa 1925–1940.

Located south of Kororoit Creek, the racecourse was opened in 1869,[1] following the establishment of the Williamstown Racing Club the previous year.

In 1885, the Williamstown Racecourse railway station was opened as the terminus of a branch line from the main Geelong line, providing passenger services on race days.[1]

In 1931, Phar Lap won the Underwood Stakes at the venue.[2]

The last recorded horse race at Williamstown was on 10 February 1940, after which the army commandeered the racecourse for the remainder of World War II.[1] In 1947, fire destroyed both the public and members grandstands.[3]

The following year, the Williamstown Racing Club was forced to merge with the Victorian Trotting & Racing Association to form the new Melbourne Racing Club. In 1949 Williamstown Racecourse was sold for “surplus building materials” and became home to displaced World War II veterans.[4]

A 4-metre sculpture called Requiem for a Champion, created by the artist Yvonne George, featuring a bronze stint perched on top of a galloping horse, was installed to commemorate the location of the former Williamstown racecourse.[5][6]

References
  1. "Racecourse – Altona Homestead – Home of the Altona Laverton Historical Society".
  2. "The history behind Melbourne race tracks". Turfmate. 1 November 2018.
  3. "Fire Destroys Williamstown Racecourse Stands". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 31, 331. Victoria, Australia. 30 January 1947. p. 1. Retrieved 4 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. Staff, M. R. C. "The rise and fall of Williamstown Racecourse". Melbourne Racing Club.
  5. "History Lives on at Former Williamstown Racecourse". Hobsons Bay City Council. Archived from the original on 31 October 2007. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
  6. "Requiem for a Champion". Hobsons Bay City Council. Archived from the original on 1 March 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
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