The Australian Turf Club has revealed the likely site of the fourth Sydney racecourse should it sell Rosehill, with a Memorandum Of Understanding signed to acquire and develop Penrith Golf Club.
The site of a replacement racing and training precinct in Western Sydney has been at the centre of discussions since the plans close and sell off Rosehill were announced in December 2023.
While numerous sites have been mentioned, including the abandoned plans for racing at the Brickpit at Homebush, until now the ATC has been able to confirm where the fourth site, to add to Randwick, Warwick Farm and Canterbury, may be should Rosehill be sold.
On Tuesday, The ATC members were sent detailed plans for the extended Warwick Farm and Randwick renovations, worth $802 million and $518 million respectively, as part of an extensive Notice Of Meeting briefing ahead of the ATC member vote on May 27.
However, that document did not included detail about the additional site, just a total of $522 million for a ‘new world class training site in the Greater Sydney region’.
But just five days later, the ATC has now provided much greater detail on that location. revealing it had earmarked more than $370 million from the potential sale of Rosehill Gardens to acquire and develop Penrith Golf Club into a thoroughbred training centre with capacity for more than 300 stables.
“Our vision includes the construction of another Group 1 racecourse that would secure Sydney’s place as a global racing hub,” ATC chairman Peter McGauran said.
“While these discussions are in early stages, we’re excited about the potential that benefits the racing industry, ATC and Penrith Golf Club Members, and the local community.
“Penrith is one of the fastest growing population centres in NSW and ticks all the boxes in playing a key role for the next generation of racing.
“Our priority is to expand and enhance quality infrastructure for trainers and owners, who would be central to the design of a new facility.”
Under any deal, Penrith Golf Club members would receive access to new and upgraded ATC venues.
The location, 6km from Penrith and close to the M4 motorway, is currently part of the Seven Hills RSL Group, with a Memorandum Of Understanding established to acquire the site should the proposed $5 billion sale of Rosehill proceed.
Those plans are contingent on a majority of ATC members voting in favour of the sale on May 27, and the state government agreeing to meet both the $5 billion pricetag and the conditions of the sale.
In a statement, the ATC has said any acquisition and development of a new site at Penrith will sit under the purview of its new Racing Advisory board, which is designed to monitor funding allocation, project milestones and industry consultations.
Bren O’Brien
