Information

The Coorparoo Racecourse began life on a former dairy paddock in 1891 when the Coorparoo Race Club held their first race meet on Boxing Day. The day was a success, with large crowds in attendance, despite a legal dispute over the provision of alcohol. During 1892 there were reports of races with up to 3,000 spectators. The racecourse was impacted by the February 1893 floods, after which time the Coorparoo Race Club appears to have been disbanded. Racing commenced again in 1898 under the South Brisbane Racing Club. Their last reported meet took place in October 1899. Another club was formed the following year and the name of the track was changed to ‘Kempton’. However, this did not last long and the course was largely unused for the next ten years before the land was sold as the Coorparoo Racecourse Estate in 1915. A second Coorparoo Racecourse was established on adjoining land in 1921, but the last race was held there in November 1930, after which time the new regulations of the Racing Bill 1930 effectively meant the club was no longer authorised to hold meets. In 1950 the racecourse was raised by nearly 2 metres and adapted for use as a football field, and is now called Giffin Park.

Citations

The Week, 31 December 1891; The Telegraph, 28 July 1892; Brisbane Courier, 17 December 1898, 14 November 1930; Brisbane Telegraph, 31 December 1950.

Image Citations

Racecourse Estate Map, Coorparoo, 1919. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Record number: 196159.

Map References

QSA. QSA Series ID 4949 Queensland Census Districts and Sub-Districts 1891 Maps. Scale Not Indicated. Queensland census districts and sub-districts 1891 map. Brisbane district. Printed at the Government Engraving and Lithographic Office, Brisbane.. 812278