Caulfield racecourse’s training centre poised to close after more than 100 years

AFTER more than a century as home to some of the nation’s most famous horses, Caulfield will close as a major training base, forcing dozens of trainers to relocate.

Ben Melham rides Homesman (second from right), navy blue and white silks) in race eight, the Caulfield Cup during the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Day at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, Saturday, October 20, 2018. The race winner, Pat Cosgrave riding Best Solution is seen at second from left. (AAP Image/Julian Smith) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

AFTER more than a century as home to some of the nation’s most famous horses, Caulfield’s training centre is poised to close.

The decision has been taken to shut down Caulfield as a major training base by 2023, forcing dozens of trainers to relocate.

Caulfield trainers have been formally told of the decision and the government has committed $17.5m towards a $40m relocation of the training facility to Cranbourne and Pakenham.

A statement from the Melbourne Racing Club said: “A new long term lease has been signed between Melbourne Racing Club and the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust securing racing at the historic Caulfield Racecourse for the next 65 years.

The announcement of Black Caviar's retirement in Caulfield. Strapper Donna Fisher [in blue] is emotional after the announcement.

The stabling area at Caulfield was once home to Australia’s greatest sprinter Black Caviar.

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“The racecourse, part of which sits on crown land, has been the home of the Melbourne Racing Club, previously the Victorian Amateur Turf Club, for 140 years, and will see significant development under the new lease, with plans for a second racetrack and lights for night racing, which would increase the amount of racing that occurs at the Racecourse.

“An essential requirement of the lease, as directed by the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust and the State Government, was that the community be provided with greater use and access to the Racecourse Reserve.

“This means that racehorse training at Caulfield will not continue, resulting in relocation for the 22 trainers who currently operate facilities at Caulfield, within a period of five years.”

Leading trainers based at Caulfield include Mick Price, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and Colin Little.

The stabling area was once home to Australia’s greatest sprinter Black Caviar.

Trainers contacted this morning by the Herald Sun chose not to comment.
Mr Peter Le Grand, Chairman of Melbourne Racing Club, said that the signing of the lease heralds a new era for Caulfield.

Pat Cosgrave riding Best Solution widest runner out of the first turn

“We are happy to have secured the future of racing at the historic site at Caulfield and look forward to facilitating a greater volume of racing through a second track, and the potential of night racing, for our members, industry participants and the racing public,” Mr Le Grand said.

“We welcome the opportunity to share the space with the community to a greater degree, and acknowledge the work of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust and State Government in making this a reality.

“At the same time we are conscious of the great impact the relocation will have on our trainers, some of whom have resided at Caulfield for generations. Training has been an integral part of the Racecourse and Club for many years and the Club is committed to ensuring that the transition for the trainers over the next five years is as smooth as possible, and that the training facilities here at Caulfield will be maintained to their best standard until the final relocation is complete.

“It is our upmost priority to ensure that our trainers are supported during this transition and we will be working with them in every way we can.”

It has also been announced that the Melbourne Racing Club has also signed a new lease at Caulfield which means racing will continue at the venue for another 65 years.