Royal Randwick Racecourse

Racing began at Randwick as early as the beginning of the 1830s. 202 acres were surveyed and reserved as land for a racecourse, with training and match racing first taking place at the 'Sandy Course' around 1833. By 1838 the course conditions became too dangerous for the horses and racing stopped at Randwick until it's return in May 1860 due to the efforts of the Australian Jockey Club (AJC). 

The name Royal Randwick was officially awarded to the Randwick Racecourse during Queen Elizabeth's visit to Randwick in February 1992. 

The racecourse has further played host to a variety of events outside of racing. During World War 1 and 2, land of the Randwick Racecourse, and the next door Kensington Racecourse, were handed over to the military for use as training grounds and barracks prior to deployment. In 1986 Randwick was the site of the Papal Mass held by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Australia, in 1995 a mass celebrating the beatification of Mary Mackillop was held there, and in 2008 over 400 000 people attended the Papal Mass for World Youth Day.