Eastern Gascoyne Race Club

A History of The Club

The Landor Races is the Eastern Gascoyne Race Club's (EGRC's) traditional bush race meeting. The meeting is held annually in the third term school holidays (October) at the racecourse near Landor Station.

 

The meeting has a colourful history and a truly outback flavour. In 1921 at a combined mustering camp, which was the custom in those days, a number of stockmen from stations in the area from Milgun, Mt Augustus, Mt Seabrook, Erravilla and Lanor were having days off. These men were resting and doing their washing when they started to argue about who had the fastest horse. Following discussions with interested parties from surrounding stationis, the EGRC was formed and the Landor tradition was born.

 

The event has now been run annually amost continuously since 1921, except for several years during World War 2 and has been run on the same princples since the early days - that it is held in the spiri of a strictly amateur race meeting with local station horses and riders. In this modern age this means that although all horses must be registered thoroughbreds, there is a special category of races for horses born in the district: "nor west bred", and other races for horses declared as 'district qualified' which effectively means they haven't raced anywhere else 6 months prior to the meet. There are no starting gates at Landor - all races are "walk up starts".

 

A unique feature of Landor in keeping with the amateur spirit was that when seasons were good, a "Grass Fed" meeting was declared and trainers could not feed or handle their horses until six weeks before the meeting. In dry or drought years, a "Corn Fed" meeting was declared and there was no restriction on the length of time a horse can be yarded and fed. At the 2007 AGM it was agreed that because trainers & horses now come from a widespread area every meeting will be a "Corn Fed" meeting.

 

A 28 member committee comprised mostly of local pastoralists conduct the event and meet twice a year on stations throughout the district. A comprehensive EGRC Club Constitution determines the operation of the event with races under the rules and regulations of RWWA.

 

The race meeting is open to RWWA registered horses that are classified as North West Bred (i.e. horses bred above the 28th parallel), District Qualified (i.e. have spent sx months prior to the meeting above the 28th parallel) or Corn Fed Horses (horses that have not won a race on a Metropolitan track). Jockeys must be licensed track riders and must have the approval of the Stewards to ride.

 

Nowdays,the Landor weeknd begins with a race day on Saturday - the Ladies Bracelet is the feature event. Sunday is the traditional Gymhana day. The action starts in the morning wih the kid's "lead-on" events and finishes withthe adults competition in the afternoon. This is followed by the fun events of the "Tug of War" and foot races for everyone.

 

Gate Entry

 

Vistors Entry - $50.00 p/adult (full weekend)

                     $15.00 10 - 17yo

                     Under 10 no charge

                     Single day rates available

 

Facilities available

Location: Landor homestead is 236 km northwest of Meekatharra, the racecourse is a further 22kms north of Landor homestead on the Mt Augustus road.

 

Duration: Most visitors will arrive this year on Friday 2nd October and depart Tuesday 6th Oct.

 

Facilities: The club has built extensive permanent facilities over the years such as horse stables, water supply, electricity supply, numerous shower and toilet blocks, covered grandstands, bar and betting ring, dance hall and dining room. Public campsites are provided adjacent to the racecourse complete with showers and toilets. Firewood may be provided to the campsites.

 

Police from Meekatharra are based at the racecourse for the weekend. A doctor will attend over the weekend in case of emergencies. In addition, St John’s Ambulance Meekatharra provides an ambulance service for all races. The Royal Flying Doctor Service can provide emergency evacuation from the racecourse if required.

 

An airstrip constructed to RFDS standard is situated at the racecourse.

 

Accommodation:

Most visitors to Landor come prepared to camp, mostly in tents, but an increasing number of caravans are making the trip. Accommodation at Landor ranges from bring-your-own-everything camping to slightly more comfortable permanent camps belonging to the locals, some of who have been camped in the same spot for over 50 years. Ample good quality water is available from the club’s own bores and power is provided at the visitors camp sites near the racecourse.

 

Although fuel and some catering is provided at the racecourse, visitors should aim to be self sufficient.