Flemington Racecourse, Horse racing venue in Flemington, Melbourne, Australia
Flemington Racecourse is a horse racing venue in the Flemington district of Melbourne that covers several hectares with an oval track and multiple grandstands. The facility sits along the Maribyrnong River and includes areas for spectators, stables, and training grounds behind the main stands.
The first horse races took place here in the early 1840s on open grassland before the site became permanently established as a racecourse. In the late 19th century the facility was significantly expanded with grandstands and permanent stables that shaped its layout.
The name Flemington comes from a surveyor in the 1840s whose property later became the site of the racecourse. On major race days, many visitors wear hats and formal attire, a tradition that dates back to the Victorian era.
On race days the gates open several hours before the first race, and there are different areas depending on ticket category. For major events it is best to arrive early as parking fills quickly and train connections become crowded.
The rose garden within the racecourse was planted in the 1950s and now holds thousands of rose bushes across multiple varieties. A mural in the Hill Stand depicts scenes from Australian horse racing history and was restored decades after its creation.
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