Returning the Royal to Randwick
Our industry is facing many challenges; the wagering imbroglio, the Artificial Insemination litigation, the invasive coal mines in our Hunter Valley breeding grounds, just to name a few. There are dsyfunctional aspects across many areas of the administration of racing, mostly resulting from the lack of national unity in our sport. In such a landscape we must live in the hope that the one constant, Royal Randwick or “headquarters”, as it is affectionately known, can be rejuvenated into a world class equine precinct, one that our forefathers envisaged when they granted the AJC the peppercorn lease on this iconic 200 acres.
New and increased grandstand capacity with first class corporate facilities and a training complex befitting the best racetrack in NSW are a must to begin with. Creativity needs to be applied in giving racegoers a great experience at the track. A mounting yard akin to that at Longchamp or Newmarket, with ample room for horses and their connections (and importantly spectators), must be part of any renewal at Randwick – probably placed behind the grandstands. Beyond those changes, talk has been of making Randwick a “centre” for racing in NSW, with the jockeys, breeders and trainers associations located there. All this is positive!
The challenge is to achieve such a program within a financial model that will not compromise the grandeur and scope of Randwick as a racing and training centre of excellence. I am a strong believer that racing at headquarters can grow again and be sustainable, because Racing is a great sport if offered and promoted in the appropriate manner. With a state of the art infrastructure at Randwick, racing can provide the people of Sydney and beyond with numerous “major events” each year!
