They're racing at Eltham

Did you know that John Wren, proprietor of the notorious Collingwood Tote in the early 1900s, once seriously proposed to establish a racecourse at Eltham that he claimed would rival famous Flemington ? Well, if you didn't, (and even if you did!) Eltham and District Historical Society are inviting you to learn more about this and other fascinating facts about early horse activities in the district.

You are warmly invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Eltham District Historical Society on Wednesday 10 March 2010 at 8.00 pm, which will be held at the Eltham Senior Citizen's Club in Library Place, Eltham - (melway map 21 J5).

EDHS are very fortunate to have Dr Andrew Lemon, President of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, as guest speaker. His presentation is entitled 'They're racing at Eltham' and he will be speak about the history of early horse racing at Eltham Lower Park in Main Road, Eltham. Andrew is a consultant historian and is well versed to present this story as he is the author of a number of books, including "The History of Australian Thoroughbred Racing' Volumes 1, 2 and 3.

We hope you are able to attend and hear about this fascinating tail, ....opps sorry.... tale.

Horse racing heritage

With Spring racing in the air, we remember some horse racing history in our area. Samuel Cracknell who resided in Panton Hill for more than 40 years, was a world famous light weight jockey winning many flat and steeple races. Sam rode in 12 Melbourne Cup races - his first Melbourne Cup was in 1872 and his last ride was in the Melbourne Cup on 1890.


Redleap stables in Mill Park, now the home of the Stables Shopping Centre were built in 1890 by Henry "Money" Miller and contained 20 large stalls, the stables were named in honour of the well known Bundoora horse "Redleap" who won the Grand National Hurdle in 1889 and 1890 and the Grand National Steeple Chase and Australian Steeple Chase. The stables included accomodation, marked by the chimney, for grooms. The building was incorporated into the new Stables shopping centre complex in Mill Park which opened at the end of 1979.

History of Victorian Horseracing talk

Local History Month at Yarra Plenty Regional Library kicks off on Thursday November 1 with special guest and author Andrew Lemon who will talk about the colourful history of Victorian horse racing and the little known identities that have made their impact on it over the years.

Andrew is an author of numerous books including The History of Australian Thoroughbred Racing in two volumes and is currently working on the the third.

Eltham Library
Thursday 1 November
6.30pm - 7.30 pm