Ascot Racecourse, Sydney

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Ascot Racecourse is a former racecourse in the southern Sydney suburb of Mascot, close to the Mascot Aerodrome. It was named after Royal Ascot Racecourse in the United Kingdom. It is now part of the site of Sydney Airport. It operated from 1904 to 1941, and was one of four racecourses in Sydney where unregistered proprietary horse racing took place.[1] Large crowds were moved to and from the racecourse by a dedicated tramline from Botany Road.[2] The first aeroplane flight over Sydney was made from Ascot Racecourse on 5 May 1911. [3] The racecourse closed during World War 2 when it was used as a military camp. It did not reopen after the war, and was demolished as part of expansion works for Sydney Airport. The only surviving physical evidence of the racecourse is fifteen fig trees which formerly lined the racecourse entrance. These trees are located near the airports long-term carpark, and are the subject of heritage preservation.[4]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Peake, W. Unregistered Proprietary Horseracing in Sydney, 1888-1942 University of Western Sydney, December 2004.
  2. ^ Timmony, PJ.Handling Heavy Traffic on Special Occasions. 6 February 1934, from Action For Public Transport.
  3. ^ Sydney Airport Environment 2006-2010
  4. ^ Sydney Airport Environment 2006-2010


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Racing Venues in Sydney
Present Horse Racing Venues
Closed Horse Racing Venues
Ascot Racecourse • Kensington Racecourse • Rosebery Racecourse • Victoria Park Racecourse
Greyhound Racing Venues
Harness Racing Venues
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