Laverton Race Club
| Laverton Race Club | |
| Racecourse Address: | Racecourse Road, Laverton |
| Postal Address: | PO Box 80, Laverton WA 6440 |
| President Name: | Rob Wedge |
| President Email: | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Secretary Phone: | 0417951153 |
| Website: | Coming Soon |
| Racing Season: | 2020/21 race dates 24th October 20 Cup Day |
| Life Members: | John Biggs, John Leahy, Peter Hill, Patrick Hill, John Williams and Brian Roberts |
| History: | The Laverton Race Course / track was established in 1956. The first race meeting was held that year with local bred horses, mainly stock horses ridden by "Station Hands" and indigenous "Stockmen". Fifty four horses were nominated for a six event program. As no horses had previously raced, so horse size was the measure of the day. Weights varied between 70-100kgs using stock saddles. No starting gates were available at the time so races were started by a "rubber strand". The first starter was Mr Neil Hatfield and the first Stewards were Mr Bill Biggs and Mr Tom White. As time progressed into the 70's and 80's, local horses were ridden by apprentice jockeys with a minimum weight of 70kgs. Two events of the six were reserved for local bred horses, the 4 others for thoroughbreds with apprentice jockeys. Starting gates were manufactured locally and are still in use today. In the late 90's, the Club favoured the introduction of Professional riders as it is today. In 2006, the Laverton Race club celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a day enjoyed by many tourists, mining company employees and members of the local community. |