Our History
The Jerilderie Race Club first race meeting was in 1861 where first prize for the very first race was a saddle and bridle valued at 6 pounds. There was a eight race program.
Races continued throughout the 1870’s and the early 1880’s with local publicans being the main sponsors and the Success of those race days were gauged more on the amount of takings at the beer booths rather than the quality of racing.
In 1884 the Jerilderie Race Club held its first race meeting under the auspices of the Australian Jockey Club (AJC) over two days being 5th and 7th August. These dates were selected around the Annual Show.
The intention of having race clubs registered with the AJC and the meetings was not to restrict local ‘holiday’ meetings organized ‘purely for sport’ but to outlaw those race meetings where the local innkeeper stages a race meeting solely for his own benefit.
It was reported in the paper
The Jerilderie annual races commenced on Tuesday inst. The weather was splendid and there was an estimated attendance of about 600 spectators.
The races continued on Thursday, Seventy five points of rain fell the night before and the course, although a little heavy, was in grand order. The attendance was not as good as on the first day, there only being 300 present.
There was an extremely interesting runner in one of the races-Forced Handicap called Grace Darling. Grace Darling competed in three races during the carnival, placing second, third and unplaced. She was bred by C.M. Lloyd of Yamma Station via Jerilderie and the following year as a 6 year old won the Caulfield Cup at the good odds of 28/1. This was followed by a second placing in the Melbourne Cup.
The races continued at The Yanko Station some 3 miles from Jerilderie off Wilson Road until post war of 1914-1918 when the racecourse was moved to its present day site with the first meeting held in March 1919.
The Club peaked at running 6 meetings a year in the 1970’s. It was back to one race in the 1990’s which was held in February until 1997 when the races were cancelled as a committee could not be formed. It was reported in the SRN on 4 September 1996
Caretaker Treasurer Tim Arnott said last night it was doubtful if horse racing would ever again be seen in Jerilderie which is the home to one of Riverina’s leading trainers Ken Sweeney.” My heart says yes but my head says no” Mr Arnott said when asked about the possibility of Jerilderie racing again.
It proved that Mr Arnotts heart was right thankfully with the reformation of the Jerilderie Race club in 1999. Lead by Cr George Newlands a new committee was formed and a new date of September 18 for the Jerilderie Gold Cup was selected.
Cr Newlands said “Jerilderie is one of the oldest race clubs in Country NSW and its time we raced here again.
Every conceivable facility is available here. It is a beautiful track and we should make the most of it.”
George’s words have proven to be true with the tradition continuing and the race course amenities are continually being improved including large undercover areas and a new toilet block for the 2019 races. The prizemoney has been increased each year with the Gold Cup Prizemoney being a pool of $18,000.
