Harold Park is a truly enviable location where parkland and big city ambiance are never far away.
Set on the southern edge of the parklands, Vance is conveniently located close to the Sydney Harbour foreshore. Next door you’ll find the revitalized Tramsheds and light rail network
History
Harold Park Paceway was a harness racing track in Glebe, New South Wales, in use from 1890 to 2010.
Founded in 1890, the course was first known as Forest Lodge, and for the first meeting, there were five events with total prize money of ninety-nine sovereigns. Just prior to the turn of the 20th century, and before meetings commenced at Forest Lodge, trotting and pacing were confined primarily to match races between enthusiasts without any serious attempt at organization. Following some preliminary discussions, thirty-three of the sport's supporters met on 4 June 1902 at the saddlery shop of J. McGrath, a well-known harness maker of the day. Those present at the meeting raised the sum of 19 pounds 17 shillings and 6 pence to launch the proposed club. The general contribution was 2/6 per person, while the maximum donation was 10 guineas by J.A. Buckland, owner of a famous horse called "Fritz." The club was incorporated on 10 October 1902, with twenty-two members paying a subscription of two guineas, and the inaugural meeting was held on 19 November 1902. The course was leased from the Metropolitan Rugby Union. Following two meetings at Forest Lodge, racing moved to the Kensington Pony course until June 1904, before resuming at Forest Lodge, by then renamed Epping. In 1911 the New South Wales Trotting Club was recognized as the controlling authority of harness racing in the state by the Colonial Secretary. The club retained that status until 1976 when control was transferred to the Trotting Authority of New South Wales. In 1911, the club purchased the course from the Metropolitan Rugby Union for 10,400 pounds. On 21 March 1929, due to the confusion of the name with the Sydney suburb, the track was renamed from Epping to Harold Park, after the imported trotter Childe Harold, one of the great progenitors of the stock of the early trotting days.[clarification needed] The Kentucky-bred Childe Harold was imported from Glasgow, Scotland by Andrew Town of Richmond. 1 October 1949 marked the beginning of night racing, following legislation enacted with the support of all parties in the State Parliament. Harold Park, from that time, become known internationally as the mecca of Australian harness racing. From May 1927 until December 1987, Harold Park also hosted Greyhound racing meetings.
