Gawler Barossa Jockey Club

Gawler is best known as a unique blend of town and country. Situated 42km north of Adelaide, Gawler is a community of more than 20,000 people.

The Gawler Racetrack is one of the first landmarks you’ll see as you enter the township. The track backs on to Adelaide Road and is easily accessible from the main highway.

Being bound by the main road to Adelaide on one side and by the public rail system on the other, the Gawler Racecourse provides significant exposure to the ever increasing commuters travelling to and from Adelaide.

The Gawler Racecourse has its very own dedicated railway station, making it easy for punters to enjoy a day at the races from almost anywhere. As well as patrons from outside the Gawler area, many locals would recall attending the Gawler races as children and we look forward to providing their families with a unique experience of a day at the races.

1840s - 1870s

Horse racing began in Gawler very early in the history of the town.  The principal race of the State was held in this locality in the second half of the 1840s.

In 1849, a racecourse existed in the vicinity of Gawler South which was sparsely populated in those days.  The course was not circular but straight and horses had to sprint to the end of the track, go round a post and race back to the winning post.

In 1856, races took place on three successive days in March and were described as Gawler Town Races.

Some ten yeas later, Gawler and Willaston races occupied two days and it is believed they raced at Willaston on land behind the original Willaston Hotel (just north/west of the bridge).

1870s - 1900s

On 23 January 1879, a racing club was formed and racing commenced on 15 April of that year at Para Para, a property situated at Gawler West.  The property was owned by the Hon. Walter Duffield who readily gave permission for horse racing events at his property. That year, there were 96 members and the sum of £400 was paid in stakes.  Races were cancelled the following year due to the ill-health of Walter Duffield and racing then became defunct.  The balance of £48 was handed to the present body when it was founded in 1891.

In the early 1880s, there was a revival of racing and the Evanston racecourse was first utilised.  The local race club was inaugurated on 17 March 1883.

On 12 March 1891, the present Jockey Club was formed and the first meeting was held on 6 June.  A lease of the Evanston racecourse was obtained, and in 1901 the Evanston Racecourse was purchased for £1500. Horse races were initially run clockwise but later changed to anti-clockwise.

1900s - 1950s

In the 1920s, six race dates were allocated to Gawler.

During the years of the Second World War, all meetings allocated to Gawler were held at Victoria Park or Morphettville racecourses.  This was due in main to the Military Camp which was based at the Evanston racecourse.

There was a period from February 1942 to October 1943 when racing was banned in South Australia by the Playford Government, so the Adelaide Cup was held at Flemington that year.  Racing resumed in late 1943 but although bookmakers and totes were allowed to operate on course, betting shops were prohibited.

1960s - 1990s

The South Australian Licensed Victualler’s Racing Club and Barossa & Light Racing Clubs combined to race as Barossa Valley Racing Club in 1960.  Their meetings were held at the Gawler racecourse and they eventually amalgamated with Gawler Jockey Club, becoming the Gawler & Barossa Jockey Club Incorporated in January 1971.

The Gawler Jockey Club was legally metropolitan from 1936 – 1967.  It became a provincial club on 1 January 1968 with 13 race dates on course. The Totalizator Agency Board commenced in March 1967.

In 1977, Kadina & Wallaroo Jockey Club amalgamated with the Gawler & Barossa Jockey Club.

The club continued with maintenance and facility renovations and in 1985, undertook a massive renovation to the underside of the grandstand to include a function room/kitchen for hire and new amenities for members.

The racecourse was utilised for many sporting events and functions.  The course was used annually for the Three Day Event including the World Equestrian Event in 1986.

The period of 1986/87 saw the reintroduction of steeplechase racing to Gawler after a closure of 33 years.

In 1989, the Sesqui Centenary Gawler Cup boasted stake money of $60,000 and a Gold Cup worth $1000.

1990s - present

Gawler Cup Day was held in November in 1991 with Her Excellency Dame Roma Mitchell, the Police Band and the Police Greys being a major attraction on the day. Sir Eric and Lady Neale were also guests of the club in 1996.

In 1992, the Controlling Body reduced distribution of TAB profits causing predictions of severe hardship to provincial and country clubs.  In the late 1990s, Gawler & Barossa Jockey Club was earmarked for closure.  This led to one of the toughest times in the Club’s history. However, the club has survived the highs and lows over 150 years with Committees and club employees past and present passionate about its continued existence.

There are two special memorials at the Gawler racecourse.  Melbourne Cup winners Gold and Black and Gallilee were laid to rest at the course and if they were to prance onto the newly refurbished course today they would certainly relate to their big days at Flemington.

^{History collated by Kay Behen}

Gawler is a town that benefits from both city and country influences. Located only 42km north of Adelaide, the township and surrounding region is home to more than 20,000 people.

In recent years, Gawler has experienced significant growth in population and economy and is regarded as an outer metropolitan suburb of Adelaide. Despite the continual growth, Gawler still maintains a distinctive atmosphere of a friendly, fashionable, community minded country town.

The town is a unique blend of heritage and development and while it's proud of its historical charm and country feel, it’s committed to providing modern, state-of-the-art facilities as a progressive town.

Gawler sits on the fringe of the renowned Barossa Valley and is a gateway to the gorgeous wine region beyond. Take the time to visit some of the Barossa’s most famous cellar doors when you next visit for a race meet.

Click here to find out more about the town.

The GBJC has two grass tracks and two shellgrit track available for morning training.

• The inside grass track is available for Tuesday and Saturdays for fast gallops and special gallops available by appointment.
• The two shellgrit tracks (one counter clockwise) are available from Monday – Saturday from 4:30am – 9:30am.
• Track fees are charged per used based on the below pricing.
• Safety rules are strictly enforced.

• Circumference: 1840m
• Straight: 300m
• Four tracks: main grass, jog track, inside grass, sand track