| Location | Allora, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 28°02′50″S152°00′31″E / 28.04722°S 152.00861°E |
| Owned by | Allora Race Club |
| Date opened | 1888 |
| Date closed | 1960s |
| Notable races | Allora Cup |
Allora Racecourse was a horse racing track in Allora, Queensland, Australia.
The Allora Jockey Club was formed during a meeting held in Allora's Princess of Wales Hotel on October 6, 1888. [1]
On May 11 1935 and May 26 1936, a race was held, hosted by race secretary C. Fogarty. After World War Two ended, horse racing was suspended until the 2nd January, 1949, when a meeting was held. For the next 11 years, the race club secretary was Jack Hilton, who was also the Allora railway station master. On 8 October, the first Allora Cup meeting was held with an overall prize money of £45 and a cup valued at £10. The winner of the inaugural Allora Cup was the horse ‘Nobleman’’ owned by Tom Cowley. According to local racing historian Shirley Murray, the cup meeting was a huge event in the town, with a half-day holiday granted. [1]
On 21 April 1953, during a general business meeting of the Allora Shire Council, the Chairman John Hoey drew attention to the difficulty of keeping the Allora racecourse in order for meetings. After discussion, it resulted in offering the racecourse area to the Allora Race Club to control as trustee. [2]
Since the 1990s, the site of the Allora Racecourse is used to grow sunflower crops every summer. The field is currently owned by Phil and Lisa Crothers. According to Southern Downs agri-tourism co-ordinary Amy Walker, the area is one of the most popular attractions for the Southern Downs and Granite Belt region during the summer months. [3]
The winner was a horse named Nobleman owned by Tom Cowley, trained by Dick Byrne and ridden by Joe Murphy. The event drew a large crowd. [1]
The 1950 Allora Cup was won by a horse named Bon Ami, owned by R. C. Crowther. [4]
On 26 September 1952, the winner of the Allora Cup was Witty Nero, a four-year old gelding owned by Mr. F. W. Turner and trained by Frank Watt. Witty Nero was a consistent performer with five wins in 12 starts, and was heavily backed by bettors. The gelding won comfortably by four lengths over High Custom, with the horse Orizaba finishing third. Following the event, the trophy was handed to Mr. Turner by club patron Keith Murray. [5]
The 1953 Allora Cup was won by a mare named Plane, owned by Frank Armstrong. [4]
The 1955 Allora Cup was won by a mare named Lurcher Queen, also owned by Frank Armstrong. [4]
The winner was a horse named Bubbatonga owned by Bob Armstrong. [1]
