Oldest Provincial Racecourse in Australia Est. 1843
Our Legacy
York Racecourse is located 90 kilometres east of Perth on the outskirts of the York township in Western Australia. York is the oldest operating racetrack in the region and lays claim to being one of the oldest provincial courses in Australia with the first race meeting recorded on the present site in 1843.
York Racecourse proudly celebrates its remarkable 182-year history, having endured and thrived through wars, crop failures, economic depressions, and Western Australia’s vibrant gold rush and mining boom eras. Over the years, the club has undergone several transformations, including changes to its name. Originally established as the York Jockey Club, it later became the York-Beverley Turf Club following a joint venture with the Beverley Racing Club when their operations became unviable. This resilience and adaptability are a testament to the enduring spirit of the York Racecourse.
Now managed by York Racing Inc, the course underwent significant upgrades in 2009, including re-turfing and cambering, to enhance track safety for racing. In 2011, a freak storm caused extensive damage, devastating the historic heritage-listed grandstand built in 1924. Racing was put on hold until 2015, when the thoroughbred and harness racing clubs united to create a new entity, York Racing Inc, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the racecourse.
York Racecourse now features a modernised turf track, new trotting track and upgraded infrastructure, making it a premier destination for racing enthusiasts. We host six thoroughbred meetings each year, with the highlight being the prestigious York Cup in November.
The track has a circumference of 1661m and a home straight spanning 320m. Its layout includes two long straights and tight turns, with starting chutes designed for races over 1300m and 1500m. The track can also accommodate longer races of up to 1920 meters.
One of the track’s unique features is a downhill run around a horseshoe turn from the 800m mark to the 400m mark. Races over 1300 meters offer the fairest start, with a straight run of more than 500m before reaching the first turn.