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Feature Events | History | The Area | Accommodation & Tourism | The Racecourse | Membership details | Sponsorship/Packages | Contact details
Racing came to the Town of Gawler and its surrounding districts very early in the history of South Australia. It was not until January 23rd 1879 that the Gawler Jockey Club was founded. In the first year there were ninety-six memberships purchased by people interested in racing, and sport in general, around Gawler and the surrounding districts. In 1881 there was a renewed interest in the Sport of Kings in the Gawler District and the Club moved to the site that is still used to day at Evanston. During the early and middle stages of the 1940’s the Gawler Racecourse was home to the Australian Army Light Horse Division. The Club raced in Adelaide after the racing ban which was imposed as a Second World War measure by the then Playford Government and it was not until 1947 that the Evanston course was again used for racing. In the days when the Gawler Jockey Club had city racing club status there were three enclosures operating, they being the Grandstand, the Derby and the Flat with all three enclosures being well patronized when the Club held a Saturday fixture. The Evanston Racecourse can boast of two Melbourne Cup winners gracing its turf. Gatum Gatum won the Melbourne Cup of 1963 and four years later won the Gawler Cup while Galilee, who won the famous two-mile race in 1966, had his first start at Gawler in a Two-Year-Old Maiden and was placed second. The Club nearly went out of existence on the 1 st September 1999 when it was recommended by the then controlling body of racing in the State that Gawler’s racing dates be discontinued. Under sturdy opposition from the Club and its supporters this did not eventuate. The
Area Gawler has a spectacular back drop with the sweeping valleys, breathtaking landscapes and scenery of the Barossa Valley. The Barossa Valley is well known for its world famous wineries including Peter Lehmann, Penfolds, Yalumba, Orlando Wyndham, Henschke Cellars, and Seppelt Winery. The Barossa Valley is also world-famous for Barossa Shiraz and Eden Valley Riesling plus other premium wines, regional produce, acclaimed restaurants make this one of Australia's most significant wine regions. No other wine region in Australia has the rich European heritage of the Barossa. For enquires on accommodation and tourism contact The Travel Planner Facilities at the Gawler Racecourse include Grandstand Dining Room Hire, seats 120 people with Bar and Kitchen facilities. Training facilities include a 2000m Grass track (course proper and inside grass), sand track, bullring, and jump out gates.
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The Gawler Racecourse is situated along Adelaide road at the Southern part of the township. With easy transportation from Adelaide with the Adelaide to Gawler Central train line along side the racecourse with a Race day railway station situated behind the Grandstand.