Bridgetown Harness Racing Club

A Brief History of the Club

Whilst harness racing is recalled to have occurred first on a miniscule track in the centre of Bridgetown in the early 1920's, it was not until December 1927 that the Bridgetown Trotting Club was established.

By 1928, trotting had moved to the Agricultural Showgrounds on another desperately tight track. Features of the racing style remembered at the Showgrounds track included some horses being ridden in the races, while the more affluent participants chose to drive their charges from the sulky. Young enthusiasts earned pocket money leading horses between engagements to cool them down as there was no water available to wash horses. For night meetings held from 1936, two Ford V8 motors provided power to the track lights as connection to the SEC power grid was not available.

By 1950, the visionaries of the club had forged an 800m track on new ground, just off the road to Boyup Brook. Facilities followed over a twenty fiver year period including connection to mains power in 1962. Playing fields were established on the interior of the track and used for football, cricket & other sports. In 1992 the track lights were removed and daylight racing resumed. TAB coverage had been extended to the Club's meetings in 1990 for the first time.

In 2006 a new constitution was adopted and the Club renamed Bridgetown Harness Racing Club. Although time has moved on and horses are no longer used as a means of transport, the Club enjoys a good deal of community support and patronage at its two meetings per season.

Membership Costs/Gate Entry

Membership Costs

Adults : $20 per year

Gate Entry

Adults: $3

Pensioners: $1

Under 16 : Free

Facilities Available

Canteen / Takeaway
Disabled Parking
Disabled Toilets
Members Facilities