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

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

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. 1 2 3 "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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