Ascot
Racecourse

Track Overview

Ascot Racecourse is the headquarters of thoroughbred racing in Western Australia. Sitting alongside the Swan River about 8 kilometres east of the Perth CBD, it has hosted racing since 1848 — making it one of the oldest continuously operating racecourses in Australia. The site was originally known to the local Noongar people (specifically the Beeloo family group) as Ngattaba. European racing began when the first meeting was held on J.W. Hardey's "Grove Farm" property on 17 March 1848. A Perth Gazette report the following day described the turf as the "best we have yet seen in the colony." In 1852, the Western Australian Turf Club (now Perth Racing) was formed, and the first official two-day meeting was held in April 1853. Locals and racing insiders affectionately call Ascot "The Grand Old Lady" of Australian racecourses.

Understanding the Track

The Tri-Oval Shape

Unlike the standard oval shape of most Australian tracks, Ascot is a tri-oval — it has three distinct turns around its circumference rather than two. The long back straight runs alongside the Swan River, providing a picturesque backdrop as horses set themselves for the run home. This shape means jockeys navigate an extra turn compared to a conventional circuit, which adds tactical complexity — particularly in races from 1,400m and beyond where positioning through three bends becomes critical. A horse caught wide (racing three or four paths off the inside rail) on Ascot's sweeping turns is forced to cover significantly more ground than its rivals — and that extra effort directly eats into the energy it needs for the finish.

The Inclining Straight — "The Hill"

The Short Straight Advantage

At 294 metres, the home straight does not give backmarkers much room to make up ground. Combined with the incline, this creates a strong bias towards horses racing on the pace or close to it. A horse sitting fifth or sixth turning for home faces a near-impossible task: they need to accelerate uphill while the leaders only need to sustain their effort.

The Wind Factor

When the prevailing easterly wind blows off the Swan River, it creates a tailwind effect in the home straight. This gives front-runners an additional aerodynamic advantage — they are already travelling with the wind at their backs, making them even harder to run down despite the punishing incline. On days with a strong easterly, the on-pace bias at Ascot becomes extreme.

Barrier Stats

The combination of a tri-oval shape (three turns), a short straight, and the uphill finish creates a clear pattern: inside barriers hold the advantage across most distances at Ascot. Horses drawn wide cover extra ground through three turns, and the short straight gives them limited opportunity to recover that lost ground.

Data: Barrier win percentages since 2017 across all distances at Ascot. Small sample sizes apply to outer barriers — use as a guide, not gospel.

Feature Races

The Pinnacles (Summer Carnival)

Ascot's showpiece racing period runs across five consecutive Saturdays from late October through December. Perth Racing rebranded this carnival as "The Pinnacles" (previously known as the "Summer Carnival" and "Masters"). It features all three of WA's Group 1 races in quick succession, with nearly $11 million in total prize money.

What is a Slot Race? (The Quokka)

• 1st: $2,000,000
• 2nd: $600,000
• 3rd: $400,000
• 4th: $250,000
• 5th–13th: $190,000–$160,000

The Seasonal Split

Perth is unique among Australian capital cities in how it divides its racing calendar between two venues. Ascot hosts racing from October through May (the warm months), while Belmont Park — Perth Racing's other riverside course nearby — takes over for winter from May to September.

Why the Split?

What This Means for Racegoers

If you are visiting Perth and hoping to catch racing at Ascot, check the calendar — between May and September, you will need to head to Belmont Park instead. Both tracks are close to the CBD, but they race quite differently. Belmont is a tighter circuit that suits different types of horses. Form at one venue does not always translate to the other.

Heritage & Character

The Gold Rush Buildings

The prosperity of the 1890s Western Australian gold rush transformed Ascot from a bush meeting ground into a grand racing venue. In 1903, a magnificent collection of Federation Free Style buildings was constructed — including the grandstand, Gate Cottage, Totalisator building, Administration building, Members' Stand, and Jockeys' Quarters. These heritage-listed structures remain a physical testament to the wealth generated by the gold boom and define the aesthetic character of the venue to this day.

The Ascot Railway

In 1885, a 1.3-kilometre railway spur line was constructed from the Eastern Railway at Bayswater, crossing the Swan River to provide direct public access to the course. A dedicated station on the southern side of the track transported thousands of racegoers until it was decommissioned in 1957 as the automobile took over. The Railway Stakes — Perth's most prestigious race — takes its name from this historic connection.

The Northerly Statue

Standing proudly at Ascot is a statue of local hero Northerly — the "Fighting Tiger" who won two consecutive Cox Plates (2001–2002) and became one of the most beloved racehorses in WA history. The Group 1 race formerly known as the Kingston Town Classic was renamed the Northerly Stakes in his honour. (Kingston Town himself was a legendary champion who won three consecutive Cox Plates from 1980–82 — you can read more about him in our heritage story.)

Training Hub

While racing only takes place from October to May, Ascot operates year-round as a major training facility. Every morning, over 500 horses use the complex, which includes three separate training tracks, practice barriers, and an equine swimming pool. This makes Ascot the operational hub of WA racing even during the Belmont winter season.

Planning Your Visit

Getting There

Ascot Racecourse is located on Grandstand Road in Ascot, about 8 kilometres (roughly 15–20 minutes by car) east of the Perth CBD via the Great Eastern Highway.

What to Expect

Ascot features a magnificent two-tier grandstand and over 15 bars, restaurants, and dining venues. Options range from relaxed to premium:

• The Deck — Casual cocktail-party atmosphere on the home straight with shade sails and close-up views of horses tackling the incline
• Stone Motherless Bar — Traditional, energetic racing pub on the lower ground level
• The Terrace (Level 1) — Tiered buffet dining with panoramic track views through floor-to-ceiling glass
• Flying Colours (Level 2, Members) — Fine dining with elevated views of the Swan River and the full circuit
• SuperBox — Premium private function space with the best view of the finishing post

Best Days for First-Timers