The horse played a critical role in many aspects of 19th century life, including economic and sporting. It’s not surprising then that ‘horse racing’ became a popular pastime, especially in country towns. Healesville was no exception. Horse races took place from the 1880s on an improvised flat paddock made
available by a local landowner until a more traditional–type race area nearby was provided, and a racing club was formed. On New Year’s Day 1890 a thousand people (when Healesville’s population was no more than six hundred) came from far and wide to attend the ‘meeting’. The bookies, it was said, “did a roaring trade”.
By 1894 ‘the races’ had become an established institution in the town, with dancing on the green to the strains of an accordion and the local Salvation Army Band playing sacred music between races.
Apparently the spectators behaved with “utter abandonment”, throwing themselves into the enjoyment of the annual New Year’s Day race meeting. Coaches, buggies, spring carts, drays, waggonettes and horsemen poured into the town and made the annual gala day their one great outing of the year. However, horse racing in Healesville ceased in about 1915, coinciding with the Great War (1914-1918), and was not re-established until almost the end of the Second World War when the Healesville Amateur Racing Club (H.A.R.C) was formed in 1944.
The first race meeting was held on the present site on Easter Monday, April 2 1945.
There is no evidence on this occasion that the spectators were “utterly abandoned” but the meeting was deemed to be “a signal success”. Many race meetings have been held since then, and H.A.R.C. has continued to prosper, though floods, fallen trees and vandalism have caused headaches from time to time.
But the venue’s picturesque setting, its majestic avenue of trees, the adjoining Watts River and the lovely surrounding hills combine to create an ideal ambience.
After 77 years of activity Healesville’s racing future looks assured.
