The Pilbara is home to four Thoroughbred Racing Clubs; the East Pilbara Race Club (Newman), Marble Bar Race Club, Nor West Jockey Club (Roebourne) and the Port Hedland Turf Club.
The Nor West Jockey Club in Roebourne is the second oldest race club in Western Australia and conducts four race meetings every year in the cooler Pilbara months of June and July. The Clubs race meetings are an integral part of the Pilbara race round which starts in late May in Port Hedland and ends in August in Newman. Every year Trainers and Jockeys travel north with their horses from the southern regions of Western Australia to support the Pilbara race round with the Roebourne Cup as one of the most treasured trophies to win.
The Port Hedland Turf Club has a long and proud history. Ever since it’s very first race meet in 1902, the club has been entertaining the Pilbara’s racegoers every year with unforgettable racing events which are the highlight of the North-West’s social calendar.
Known as the hottest town in Australia, Marble Bar provides a truly unique racing experience like no other, with its iconic Marble Bar Picnic Race Day. The famous event has been held annually in July since 1893, and attracts an ever growing crowd of 2,000 – 3,000 people. With a track surrounded by spinifex, red hills and a dusty two-up ring, the Pilbara comes together with miners, town folk, families, travelers from across the world and all the crew from Pilbara stations near and far.
Hosting approximately 10 race meetings each year the Pilbara attracts over 23,000 racegoers each year who spend in excess of $1.19 million as a result of attending the races.