Victoria Park, Adelaide facts for kids
Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi, also known as Park 16, is a large park in Adelaide, South Australia. It's part of the Adelaide Park Lands and is located in the southeastern area of the city. The park is surrounded by major roads like Fullarton Road and Greenhill Road.
For many years, Victoria Park was famous for its horse racing track. It was known as the Old Adelaide Racecourse before 1897. In more recent times, the park has hosted exciting events like the Formula 1 car races from 1985 to 1995. It also hosted the Adelaide 500 car race, which started in 1999 and returned in December 2022 after a break. The park is also a venue for Pedal Prix races, where teams race human-powered vehicles.
The most important part of the park used to be the Victoria Park Racecourse. This was the main place for the Adelaide Racing Club. Its main track was very long, about 2,360 meters, and had the longest straight section of any horse racing track in Australia.
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Early Days of Racing in Adelaide
In the very first years of Adelaide, horse races were held in this area, which is part of the East Park Lands. These early races featured horses ridden by their owners, not professional jockeys.
Starting a Turf Club
A group called the Turf Club was formed in 1838. They organized a few race meetings. After a break, it started again in 1848. This club used special rules to avoid arguments and had support from the Governor.
Many races in those days were "private matches" between two horses. These races often drew big crowds and people would bet on them. Several "summer meetings" and "autumn meetings" were held in the 1850s.
The South Australian Jockey Club was created in 1856. This club also held many autumn race meetings in the park.
Another Racecourse Appears
The suburb of Thebarton also became a popular place for horse events. A new racecourse was set up there. The Jockey Club moved its races to Thebarton in 1861, even moving their grandstand from Adelaide.
The first six Adelaide Cup races (from 1864 to 1869) were held at the Thebarton track. However, people didn't like the new course much. It was hot, dusty, and not easy to get to. Because of these problems, the Jockey Club faced financial difficulties, and the Thebarton racecourse closed in 1869.
The "Old Adelaide Course" Returns
Even with the competition from Thebarton, racing continued in the East Park Lands. In 1865, a new group called the Old Adelaide Course Racing Club was formed. This club became a rival to the SAJC for many years.
The East Park Lands racecourse became known as the "Old Adelaide Course." Regular race meetings started up again there in the early 1870s.
New Competition at Morphettville
In 1873, the SAJC started up again. They bought their own land at Morphettville and built a new racecourse there. Their first meeting at Morphettville was in 1876. The Adelaide Cup race was also moved to Morphettville in 1879.
Victoria Park is Revived
In 1879, a group of people, including Seth Ferry and William Blackler, leased the Old Adelaide Course from the City Council. They officially started the Adelaide Racing Club on October 14, 1879. They spent a lot of money improving the racecourse and building a grandstand.
The club faced some challenges, including changes in laws about betting and a period of drought. Despite this, important races like the Grand National Hurdle were held there. Famous jockey Jack McGowan won many races on this track.
On August 4, 1897, the "Old Course" was officially renamed Victoria Park by the mayor, Charles Tucker.
Historic Racebook from 1935
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Front cover of the 1935 ARC Birthday Cup racebook
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Race officials shown in the 1935 ARC Birthday Cup racebook
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Starters and results from the 1935 ARC Birthday Cup
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The winner, Coronado, shown in the 1935 ARC Birthday Cup racebook
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Admission charges for the 1935 ARC Birthday Cup
Victoria Park Today
In 2008, the SAJC moved its horse racing to Morphettville Racecourse. This meant that Victoria Park was no longer used for regular horse racing. The old 1950s grandstand was taken down, but the older, historic grandstand from the 1880s was repaired. This was part of a big upgrade to the park.
The Adelaide City Council planned to turn Victoria Park into a "people's park." This plan included creating wetlands, sports fields for the community, and walking tracks.
Part of the park is still used for motor racing. It forms a section of the Adelaide Street Circuit. This circuit hosted the Australian Grand Prix Formula 1 races from 1985 to 1995. It also hosted the Adelaide 500 car race from 1999 until 2020. The Adelaide 500 returned in 2022 as the final race of the Supercars series.
Victoria Park continues to be an important place for sports and community events in Adelaide.
