ABOUT THE CLUB

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Researched by John Day 20th March 2013

At the invitation of Mr R. F. Duncan, a local stock and station agent, about 60 gentlemen interested in racing, assembled at the Leichhardt Hotel in Rockhampton on Thursday night 24th March 1921 for the purpose of considering the formation of an amateur racing club.

Mr M. M. Mackellar was voted to the chair. Mr Duncan stated that quite a number of districts in Central Queensland went in for amateur racing, and he felt sure that Rockhampton could easily do the same. Mr Duncan thought they could start with a membership of about 300 and he was prepared to act as Honorary Secretary. After discussion, it was decided that a Club be formed under the title of the Central Queensland Amateur Racing Club and that all present be foundation members, with power to add to their number up to 150.

At a general meeting of foundation members, held at the Leichhardt Hotel, three months later on Friday 17th June, officers were elected and draft rules were passed.

At an Executive meeting of the Central Queensland Racing Association held on 2nd August 1921 the application of the Central Queensland Amateur Racing Club to be registered as a race club was granted with two race dates allotted,14/15 October 1921.

The Clubs inaugural meeting held on Friday 14th October at Callaghan Park was marred by rain but the meeting went ahead before a fair crowd. The main event on the six race program was the Central Queensland Bracelet of seven furlongs and was won by the favourite Young Skopelos, owned by Mrs L. Brittain, trained by R. Cameron and ridden by C. Stanners.

The Saturday meeting was held under blue skies and had a good crowd in attendance. The feature event, the Rockhampton Amateur Handicap nine furlongs was won easily by Owen Moore, owned and ridden by J. T. Rogers and trained by P. Kuder. The two meetings were financially successful and launched the Amateurs as a major player in racing in Central Queensland.

The Club raced again in 1922, 1923 ,1924, 1925 but went into recess due to droughts and the onset of the depression. The Club resumed in 1934 promoting racing in Central Queensland until the war years 1942 to 1944. When conditions improved the Club once again resumed its place on the Rockhampton racing calendar.

The Club has served the racing community well over many years with first class racing and good prize money and has assisted the Rockhampton Jockey Club with their promotion of the Winter Racing Carnival.

The Club celebrated its Centenary in 2021.