The Sydney Turf Club Minutes of June 30 1952 state “Mr Tancred spoke on the desirability of concentrating the Club efforts on Rosehill and Canterbury, and suggested that consideration be given to the disposal of Moorefield and Rosebery” High maintenance and little income came from these tracks. A board decision was deferred. The February 23 1953 Minutes of the Sydney Turf Club state that immediate consideration be given to the future of Moorefield, and expert advice sought as to the advisability advantageous manner of disposing of Moorefield.
Moorefield at this time cost, 13,000 pounds a year to maintain, a considerable sum of money at the time.
During the 6 year period from mid 1945 only 24 race meetings were held. The last meeting was held on July 14 1951 and it was meant to be held at Canterbury. It was transferred to Moorefield due to blackout zones. Moorefield race course was used for training, barrier trials and gymkhanas for a few years.
I am friends with former jockey, Ted Mills who rode in the first race of that last meeting at Moorefield. He is now into his early 90’s and is still driving. He gave me a photo of the race finish in which he rode.
An investigation into the suitability of the site, as one on which to construct a big modern racecourse , led to the conclusion that such a scheme was not economically possible under prevailing circumstances. The average number of horses in work from the few available records have been 50 to 60, and in 1952 there were 58 horses in work.
The July 22 1953 Sydney Turf Club Minutes that “ as the Board had been greatly concerned with the ever increasing costs of maintaining 4 racecourses , and is of the opinion that racing interests would be best served by the sale of Moorefield ,so preliminary steps towards the disposal of the property be taken. “A vote was carried at the General Meeting by members, with one voting against.
In January 1954, Directors learned the Department was planning the construction of a Technical College and two high schools which became James Cook Boys and Moorefield Girls High Schools. There was a huge need at this time for high schools. These two schools are to merge in 2026.
The Club was to be represented by Messrs LJ Hooker and Mr S Brian Dawson of R. V Dimond Pty Ltd in negotiations with the Valuer General.
The agents had been instructed to prepare two plans: the principal one showing the racecourse divided into education, residential, industrial, and recreational and ponding.
Rockdale Council did not approve an industrial zoning on the racecourse.
The Board confirmed its intention to submit the residential area for sale by public auction on August 9, 1955. This comprised 46 acres of residential land and 7 acres adjoining the proposed freeway and flood channel.
Oakdale Investments Pty Ltd paid 118,500 pounds at auction. In March 1956, the Club was approached to dispose of 40 acres zoned parks and recreational land and 10 acres zoned County Road. The total proceeds from the sale of Moorefield was 187,000 pounds.
Trainers were told that the course would close at the end of June 1955, and the Club would provide assistance to them to relocate to other racecourses. The 11 trainers left had 17 horses in training..
Oakdale Pty Ltd were to develop the land, by subdivision, over the next two years. They expected to achieve about 270 home sites.
The next post will be Rosehill Racecourse Debacle: How Not to Go about Selling a Racecourse.
The vote took place on Tuesday May 27 2025 at Randwick Racecourse in relation to the sale of Rosehill Racecourse. I attended this meeting along with many other people, and addressed the meeting on some pertinent issues. The no vote won the day.
The price paid for Moorefield in comparison to what the ATC were wanting for Rosehill today shows how much land values have changed.
