HISTORY

The A.B.C. Amateur Race Club was formed in 1910 by three cattle stations located on the Barkly Tableland, Northern Territory. Alexandria, Brunette Downs and Creswell Downs each lent the Club the first letter of their name, and so the "A.B.C. Amateur Race Club" was born. Alexandria and Brunette Downs are still stations in their own right, while Cresswell Downs is operated as part of Walhallow. 

The Club held their race meets at a variety of locations before settling in its current location after the parcel of land located with the Brunette Downs boundary was handed over to the Club for the purpose of developing their own race track.  The facilities you enjoy today are a testament to many years of dedication from Committee members, station managers & staff and members of the local community. 

COMMEMORATIVE SCULPTURE

 A.B.C. Amateur Race Club conducted a Scrap Heap (recycled metals) Sculpture Competition with the winning entry being erected at the Club grounds to commemorate the Club’s Centenary.

Competition was open to individuals and collaborations.  There were size and material restraints and inspiration for the Sculpture was  “100 years of bush racing heritage”

 

A.B.C. Amateur Race Club turns 100!

In 2010 the A.B.C. Amateur Race Club celebrated 100 years of operation. What a tremendous achievement. The Club celebrated in style attracting a huge amount of people who have some sort of association with the Club, and the area. The 17th to 20th June 2010 saw around 3000 people attend the four day race meet.

Old photos, newspaper clippings, programs, ribbons and trophy's were donated or loaned for a memorabillia display that was a big hit and a book on the history of the Race Club and the surrounding area is being compiled to commemorate the Centenary.

 Many special events were held in addition to the standard program, and there was plenty to see and do; from memorabillia and photography exhibitions to helicopter joyflights, guest speakers, entertainers and a Dinner to commemorate the Centenary.

Organising and running an event of this size was a massive undertaking, and couldn't have been done successfully without the dedicated Committee and the large amount of volunteers who contributed before, during and after the event.   Special thanks to Australian Agricultural Company station Brunette Downs for their ongoing support.