Moonee Valley Racecourse

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Moonee Valley Racecourse
Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne, Aust, jjron, 25.01.10.jpg
Aerial view of Moonee Valley Racecourse, looking west
Location Moonee Ponds, Victoria
Owned by Moonee Valley Racing Club
Date opened1883;139 years ago (1883)
Screened on Seven Network
Sky Racing
Notable races Cox Plate

Moonee Valley Racecourse, currently marketed as The Valley, is a horse-racing track in Moonee Ponds, Melbourne, Victoria Australia.

Contents

History

Moonee Valley Racecourse was established in 1883 by William Samuel (W.S.) Cox, who purchased a farm the previous year belonging to John F. Feehan for the purpose of establishing a racetrack. Being entirely freehold land owned by a private club, this separates Moonee Valley from other Melbourne racecourse such as Caulfield and Flemington. [1] Expansion of the racecourse facilities occurred in the 1960s, funded by compensation for land acquired for the construction of the adjacent Tullamarine Freeway. In the 1970s harness racing moved to the Valley, when night trotting relocated from the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds. [1]

Related Research Articles

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William Samuel (W.S.) Cox (1831–1895) was a pioneer of Thoroughbred racing in Australia. He opened his first venture, Kensington Park Racecourse, in 1874, which operated until 1882. He founded the Moonee Valley Racing Club in 1883, on land he leased the previous year. The Cox Plate, a prestigious Group 1 horse racing event, that has been held annually at the Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne in October since 1922, is named after him.

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References

  1. 1 2 Andrew Lemon (7 April 2011). "Developer Proposes Housing Plan For Moonee Valley Racecourse". The Age. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2011.

Coordinates: 37°45′56″S144°55′52″E / 37.765444°S 144.931002°E / -37.765444; 144.931002