The Western Australian Turf Club (WATC), later known as Perth Racing, was established in late nineteenth century as an elite social institution and administrator of the Western Australian horse racing industry. They manage two racecourses in Perth, Ascot Racecourse and Belmont Park Racecourse.

Some aspects of the club's functions were taken over by Racing and Wagering Western Australia when it was created in 2003.

At its establishment the Turf Club was modelled on the English Turf Clubs.[1]

The club involved mixing the political and economic elite of the empire, and one of two key social clubs for the related or intermarried families with overlapping interests in city businesses and agriculture. The Premier George Leake was the chairman until his death in 1902.[2] Consequently, most members of the legislative body were also members of the Turf and Weld Clubs, allowing the opportunity for private resolution of their mutual interests. Conversely, the notion amongst the populace until the 1940s was said to be that it would easier to be admitted to parliament than the Turf Club.

The membership was composed of those who were born to successful colonials in Australia or from the titled families, or legal and medical professionals, newly arrived from England and receiving appointments in the administration of the state.[3]

Publishing

References

  1. ^ "Advertising". The Inquirer (Perth). Vol. XIV, no. 646. Western Australia. 10 November 1852. p. 1. Retrieved 11 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "Western Australian Turf Club". Western Mail (Western Australia). Vol. XV, no. 755. Western Australia. 16 June 1900. p. 45. Retrieved 11 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ Stoddart, Brian (1981). "21. Sport and society 1890–1940". In Stannage, C. T. (ed.). A new history of Western Australia (1st ed.). Perth: University of Western Australia Press. pp. 656–57. ISBN 0855641819.
  4. ^ Western Australian Turf Club (1890), The Western Australian racing calendar, Western Australian Turf Club, retrieved 11 July 2023
  5. ^ Western Australian Turf Club (1985), Racing calendar, Western Australian Turf Club, retrieved 11 July 2023
  6. ^ Western Australian Turf Club (1999), Racing Western Australia, Western Australian Turf Club, retrieved 11 July 2023

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