Eagle Farm Racecourse and Ascot railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eagle Farm Racecourse and Ascot Railway Station |
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Eagle Farm Racecourse, 2013
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| Location | 230 Lancaster Road, Ascot, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Built | 1863 onwards |
| Official name: Eagle Farm Racecourse and Ascot Racecourse, Brisbane Racecourse, Racecourse Railway Station | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 25 June 2004 |
| Reference no. | 602195 |
| Significant period | 1882-1958 (fabric) 1863-ongoing (social) 1865, 1882, 1885, 1912, 1941-1946 (historical) |
| Significant components | stables, totalisator, bridge - foot/pedestrian, toilet block/earth closet/water closet, residential accommodation - housing, trees/plantings, garden - ornamental/flower, grandstand, bandstand/rotunda, railway siding, wall/s - retaining, greenhouse, refreshment booth, tree groups - avenue of, gate - entrance, tunnel - pedestrian, office/administration building, railway station, signal box/signal cabin/switch house/mechanical points (rail), ticket box/office |
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The Eagle Farm Racecourse and Ascot Railway Station is a historic place in Ascot, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It includes a famous racecourse and a railway station. Construction started in 1863. The racecourse is also known as Ascot Racecourse or Brisbane Racecourse. The railway station was once called Racecourse railway station. This important site was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2004.
Contents
History of Horse Racing in Queensland
Horse racing began very early in Queensland. The first races in Brisbane were held in 1843. A racecourse was set up at New Farm by 1846. This course was used until the early 1860s.
Eagle Farm Racecourse Begins
The Eagle Farm Racecourse was created in 1863. It soon became one of Queensland's top racecourses. The land for the racecourse was given by Governor Bowen. He said it must only be used for racing.
The first leaders of the Queensland Turf Club (QTC) were Maurice Charles O'Connell, John Frederick McDougall, and George Harris. They were all important members of the Queensland Parliament.
The first race meeting at Eagle Farm was in 1865. About 2000 people came to watch. A large grandstand was built for 350 people.
Growth and Changes in Racing
The Queensland Turf Club (QTC) became the main group for horse racing in Queensland. In the 1870s and 1880s, the club sold some land to pay off debts. The racecourse was also used for other sports like cricket and polo.
By the late 1880s, horse racing became very popular. New rules were made, similar to those in England. The QTC became the top authority for racing in the colony. They also started publishing "The Queensland Racing Calendar" in 1886.
Many racing clubs started up. The QTC held four big meetings each year. These happened around major holidays. Another club, Tattersall's Club, often rented the Eagle Farm course for their races.
Getting to the Races
In the early days, people arrived by horse or buggy. Some even came by a small boat. A big improvement was the railway line extension to Ascot. It opened in 1882. This made it much easier for race-goers to get to Eagle Farm.
The railway station's name changed from Racecourse to Ascot in 1897. This was named after the famous Ascot Racecourse in England. Later, electric trams also started running to the racecourse in 1899.
Race Day Experience
The racecourse was set up to show different social groups. People paid to enter. Then, they could pay more for special areas. The St Leger Stand cost less than the Paddock Stand. Members had their own special stand.
The "totalisator" was a place where people placed bets. This area was open to everyone. Working-class people often gathered in the "outer" area. This part of the track had lots of entertainment, like boxing tents and sideshows.
A riot happened in 1887. A popular horse lost a race due to a confusing start. Angry crowds from the "outer" protested. They even went into the grandstand and other special areas. This event showed the differences between the social groups at the races.
New Buildings and Improvements
In 1889, a new grandstand was built. It was called the Paddock Stand. The 1893 economic downturn affected racing. Attendance and prize money dropped.
Over time, more improvements were made. In 1912, Queensland agreed to new, standard rules for racing across Australia. Many new buildings were added:
- A totalisator building (1913)
- A new St Leger Stand (1913)
- Grand entrance gates (1913)
- Ticket boxes (1914)
- Toilets (1914)
- A bandstand (1916)
The railway facilities also improved. A bridge over the railway was finished in 1911. A new siding was built in 1912 to store trains. A second railway station building opened in 1914. This building was made of pre-cast concrete. It is now the oldest surviving pre-cast concrete railway station still in use.
To ease crowding, a subway was built under the railway line in 1916. This helped people get to the course more easily.
Modern Stands and War Years
A new Members' Stand was built in 1924-25. It was designed by the same architects who designed Brisbane City Hall. Extensions were also made to the St Leger Stand in 1938.
During World War II, the racecourse was taken over by the military in 1941. It was called Camp Ascot. Thousands of American soldiers stayed there. Racing returned to Eagle Farm in 1946.
In the 1950s, the totalisator building was expanded. The John Power Stand was built in 1958. It was named after Dr John Power, a long-time president of the QTC.
Recent Developments
The QTC celebrated its 100th birthday in 1963. By then, Eagle Farm was one of Australia's best racecourses.
More changes happened after 1963:
- A new training track and swimming pool for horses (1969).
- The track was extended in 1990.
- The old Totalisator building was restored in 2006.
- New dams and water tanks were added in 2008 due to drought.
In 2008, a plan was made to protect the racecourse's history. The Queensland Turf Club merged with the Brisbane Turf Club in 2008. They formed the Brisbane Racing Club. This was done to make sure the racecourses had a good future.
A new Master Plan was announced in 2009. It aimed to create world-class racing facilities. It also planned for new homes, shops, and parks for the community.
Today, Eagle Farm Racecourse is still one of Australia's top racecourses.
Ascot Railway Station's Unique Features
Ascot railway station is special because it still has semaphore signalling. This is an old way of controlling trains. It also has a mechanical signal cabin. This type of system is very rare in Brisbane and Queensland now. It is also the oldest surviving pre-cast concrete railway station still being used.
What the Racecourse Looks Like
Eagle Farm Racecourse is a large, flat area in Ascot. It has roads on its south and east sides. The railway line runs along the south and west edges. Ascot railway station is at the south-western corner.
Ascot Railway Station Buildings
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The station has two buildings. One is on the north-east side of the tracks. It is made of timber. The other building, on the south-west side, was built in 1914. It is made of pre-cast concrete. Both buildings have tiled roofs with large overhangs. A timber bridge for people crosses the railway line near the station.
Entrance Gates and Ticket Offices
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The main entrance to the racecourse is on Lancaster Road. It has decorative iron gates and ticket offices. These buildings are made of brick with tiled roofs. They have a classic "Federation style" look. Behind the gates, a subway goes under the railway line. This leads to more ticket offices and turnstiles.
Racecourse Area
The main public area of the racecourse is in the south-west corner. It has several grandstands and other buildings. The race track itself takes up most of the land. Stables are located to the west of the stands. Maintenance areas are to the east.
St Leger Stand
The St Leger Stand is the easternmost grandstand. It was built in 1913 and extended in 1938. It has brick walls and tiered seating facing the track. The roof is supported by a mix of cast iron and timber. Underneath the stand are toilets and refreshment rooms.
Totalisator Building and Paddock Stand
Next to the St Leger Stand is the Totalisator (or Tote) Building. This building was built in 1913 and expanded later. It was used for placing bets. The Paddock Stand is also nearby. It has a large, arched roof made of metal. It features fancy cast iron posts and railings.
Members' Stand and John Power Stand
Further west is the Members' Stand, built in 1925. It is a three-story brick building. The Judge's Box is also nearby. The John Power Stand, built in the 1950s, is connected to the Members' Stand. It is made of reinforced concrete. Its roof is an open viewing area with tiered seating.
Other Buildings and Gardens
Around the grandstands are many other buildings. These include ticket booths, public toilets, and refreshment stands. There are also old stables. These buildings are made of brick or timber.
At the far western end, there are five timber stables. These are simple wooden buildings with gable roofs. The racecourse grounds are like a park. They have well-kept gardens, many trees, and flower beds.
Why This Place is Important
Eagle Farm Racecourse and Ascot railway station are important for many reasons:
- History of Horse Racing: They show how horse racing grew into a major sport and industry in Queensland since the 1860s. The railway line built just for the racecourse shows how important racing was.
- Rare Features: Ascot railway station is special because it still has old semaphore signals and a mechanical signal cabin. This is very rare in Brisbane. It is also the oldest working pre-cast concrete railway station.
- Typical Racecourse Design: The site is a great example of a large, working racecourse. It has all the main parts: the track, stables, grandstands, betting areas, and other buildings.
- Work of Famous Architects: Many well-known Queensland architects designed buildings here over the years. Their work shows different architectural styles from different decades.
- Beautiful Design: The racecourse and station are beautiful. The way the buildings are placed, the old grandstands, the fancy entrance gates, and the lovely gardens all add to its charm. The main entrance gates are a local landmark.
- Social Importance: The racecourse has a strong connection to the community for over 130 years. Generations of people have come here for fun, social events, and to enjoy horse racing. This shows how popular racing has been in Queensland.
- Connection to the Queensland Turf Club: The site has a special link to the Queensland Turf Club (now Brisbane Racing Club). This group played a huge role in developing horse racing in Queensland and making Eagle Farm the top racecourse.
