2032 Olympic Games: Gold Coast Turf Club’s audacious pitch to host equestrian events

The Gold Coast Turf Club is making an audacious pitch to beat Toowoomba to the hosting rights for equestrian events at the 2032 Olympics. FIND OUT WHY

The Gold Coast Turf Club is making an audacious pitch to beat Toowoomba to the hosting rights for equestrian events at the 2032 Olympics.

Club bosses are developing a Games masterplan which would see its Bundall complex become the host for showjumping and dressage events, while the Aquis Park Elysian fields Equestrian Centre at Canungra would be used for eventing, training and quarantine.

It will be presented to the Games Infrastructure and Coordination Authority and state government in early 2025.

Turf Club CEO Steve Lines said the Gold Coast was the “perfect location” for the events.

“We believe there are no other venues in Queensland that can economically and effectively provide world-class venues which will also showcase the incredible tourism assets of the Gold Coast and its hinterland,” he said.

The Gold Coast Turf Club wants to host the 2032 Olympics equestrian events.

“The showjumping and dressage events under the new incredible Gold Coast Turf Club lights would provide worldwide exposure of the magnificent Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach skyline as a backdrop while the beautiful Gold Coast hinterland would be showcased through the eventing at Aquis Farm.”

Mr Lines said the proposal had “already received substantial stakeholder support” and he expected “further endorsements in the coming weeks”.

The equestrian events are currently earmarked for Brisbane but, like all other aspects of the Games, are part of the new state government’s 100-day review of the Olympics.

Steve Lines, CEO of the Gold Coast Turf Club. Picture: Richard Gosling

The turf club is fresh off spending $73m to upgrade its facilities for night racing, including state-of-the-art lights, a new tunnel and an improved track.

Mr Lines said the Gold Coast’s proximity to Brisbane, plus the planned athletes village at Robina, made the city the logical choice.

“Imagine world-class equestrian events in superior locations and with the capacity for both those locations to provide supporting world-class entertainment events for the greater spectator event enjoyment,” he said.

Elysian Field, Canungra

“Put simply, no other proposal will be better for the athletes and spectators in addition to being the cheapest for taxpayers … and the cheapest by the length of the Gold Coast racecourse straight.”

It comes as Toowoomba is developing its own push to host the equestrian events.

State Treasurer David Janetzki, who is the MP for Toowoomba South, has backed the idea, which would see the planned Toowoomba Equestrian Centre become the Olympics’ horseflesh hub.

A submission is also being developed to be presented to the government.

“I support the reassessment of the Toowoomba Showgrounds,” he said earlier in December.

“We have a rare chance to align Olympic opportunity with the character of our region.

“I will be submitting as a local MP to the 100-day Olympic infrastructure review supporting the RASQ’s (Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland) position.

“I want Toowoomba to share in the Olympic legacy and will be working towards that goal.”

Originally published as 2032 Olympic Games: Gold Coast Turf Club’s audacious pitch to host equestrian events