Miners' Racecourse

The Miners' Racecourse operated on a large land reserve bounded by Pleasant Street, Bell Street, Sutton Street and Rubicon Street.

The racecourse began in 1863 and operated for 20 years before it was discontinued. It had a three rail fence around the track. It reopened again as the Miners' Turf Club, and a new galvanized iron fence was put up, and a new grandstand erected. It was described in 1901 as being one of the best racing facilities in the state. It was also the home of the Ballarat South fox terrier coursing club.

The land, an area of 86 acres, 1 rod and 7 perches, was gazetted on 4 April 1865, and permanently reserved on 8 October 1886.

In July 1886 the club asked for the land to be reserved: "The Ballarat Miners’ Racing Club have applied to the Lands Department for the reservation of the course at Redan, and the department have replied to the effect that the request will be complied with, on condition that the rights of the mines be not interfered with. The club have agreed with the conditions imposed by the Mining Department, and the necessary steps will now be taken to reserve the land."

Even though the racecourse was not being used for races by 1886, it was still being used for training: "A number of racehorses were being trained on the Miners’ Racecourse yesterday. Among those on “the tan” were several horses entered for some of the race meetings to be held during the ensuing spring in Victoria and elsewhere."

Much of the infrastructure had been destroyed by 1886: "Mr Ben. Hepburn visited the Miners’ Racecourse yesterday for the purpose of ascertaining what improvements are needed preparatory to re-commencing racing on the grounds, and he was surprised to find that some of the residents of the neighborhood had converted the seating in the grandstand, the gates, and the buildings known as the jockeys’ and judge’s rooms into firewood. The two latter structures had almost completely disappeared, and Mr Hepburn has offered £20 reward for information that will lead to the detection of the offenders. It is estimated that to make good the damage done, and to effect the necessary alterations on the course, a sum of £150 will have to be expended."

In November 1887 the Ballarat Miners' Turf Club agreed to a name change: "At a meeting of the committee of the Ballarat Miners' Turf Club, held last night at Brophy’s hotel, notice of motion was given to alter the name to 'Ballarat City Racing Club.' The resignation of the honorary secretary, Mr J. A. Blight, was accepted with regret, several members speaking in terms of praise of the manner in which Mr Blight had discharged his duties. Mr R. T. Moore, financial agent of the Tramway Company, was appointed in his stead. Mr Moore’s manner of discharging his business gives promise of his infusing the requisite amount of energy into the performance of his duties. We may remind members that the annual subscription falls due on the 1st prox. The next race meeting of the club will be held on the 27th December, for which an excellent programme, which will be advertised on Monday, has been drawn up. The entries for this meeting will close on the 12th December."

In February 1938, for the Ballarat Centenary celebrations, it was announced the newly formed Ballarat Trotting Club would hold its first event on Monday 7 March.

People

 * Patrick O'Halloran, caretaker, 1901. Lived on the corner of Bell Street and Sutton Street.