The Sandown Racecourse Advisory Committee was appointed by the Minister for Planning on 2 March 2024 to advise on all relevant matters associated with the proposed redevelopment of Sandown Racecourse.
Unlike the intense drama surrounding Rosehill, where allegations of secrecy and power struggles have dominated headlines, the Sandown inquiry is a more measured affair. However, that doesn’t mean it’s without its own share of controversy.
Sandown Racecourse | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Just as in Sydney, the Sandown redevelopment proposal has triggered a passionate response from the racing community, local residents, and environmental groups, all of whom are eager to have their voices heard before any decisions are made.
The question at the heart of the Sandown inquiry is similar: Should this iconic racecourse, with its rich history and vital role in Victoria's racing ecosystem, be sacrificed for urban development? The debate may not have the same level of intensity as Rosehill’s, but the stakes for Melbourne’s racing culture and community are just as high.
As the Sandown hearings proceed, it’s clear that while the spotlight might be brighter on Rosehill, Sandown’s future is no less significant in the broader narrative of Australian racing’s evolution.
A variety of submissions
As the dust settles on the submission period for the proposed redevelopment of Sandown Racecourse, the real work begins. The Sandown Racecourse Advisory Committee, chaired by Kathryn Mitchell AM and supported by Deputy Chairs William O’Neil and Geoff Underwood, alongside members Noelene Duff PSM, Prof Rob Adams AM, and Peter Edwards, is now gearing up for a busy few months. Their mission? To navigate the complex and contentious issue of whether Sandown should be transformed into a residential hub or remain a beloved racecourse.
This challenging task comes at a tumultuous time for the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC). Recently, the MRC saw the departure of two high-profile leaders: Chairman Matt Cain and CEO Josh Blanksby. Cain, who announced his retirement after a 15-year tenure on the MRC committee, left just months after Blanksby’s resignation in June. Their exits coincide with a storm of controversy surrounding the club, not only due to the proposed sale of Sandown but also the backlash over the first stage of the Caulfield masterplan.
Caulfield Racecourse | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
From the outset, it's important to note that under the terms of reference, the committee will only consider the redevelopment potential of Sandown. The future of thoroughbred racing at Sandown, however, lies in the hands of Racing Victoria (RV) and the MRC membership. As noted in the submissions, “Both RV and MRC agree that any future move to cease racing at Sandown must be in the best interests of the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry and will require a vote from the MRC members.”
Appointed by the Minister for Planning on March 2, 2024, this committee's role is to delve into every facet of the proposed redevelopment. With the hearings scheduled to begin in Melbourne next week and continuing until mid-September, the committee is tasked with a challenging mission: reviewing the public's 255 submissions and making a recommendation by November.
The public can attend these hearings in person or virtually via Microsoft Teams, ensuring transparency and accessibility.
Voices from all corners
The submissions are as diverse as they come, with inputs from various stakeholders, including the Historic Touring Car Association Of Victoria (HTCAV), the Frankston City Council, the Department of Education Victoria, and even Melbourne Water. From the horse racing community, prominent trainers like Frances Houlahan, Pat Carey, Amy Yargi, and Amy McDonald have weighed in, along with organizations such as the Australian Trainers' Association and the Victorian Jockeys Association.
Amy Yargi | Image courtesy of Yargi Racing
Amy Yargi has been particularly vocal, opposing the complete sale and redevelopment of Sandown. She emphasizes the track's importance for both wagering and animal welfare, stating, “Sandown is the best and safest racecourse in Victoria. It is such an incredibly important track for the racing industry from a wagering and animal welfare point of view. It is a known fact that small, tight turning racecourses increase the risk of catastrophic injuries to horses.” Yargi further underscores the unique design of Sandown that makes it a safer and more reliable track, hosting 40 important race meetings per year.
Similarly, Amy McDonald has expressed strong opposition to the sale, highlighting the track's vital role in Melbourne’s racing ecosystem. “Sandown is by far the most dynamic and user-friendly for racing and participants. It’s a big, open, and roomy track that is safe and reliable for horse and jockey to compete on. The positive effects this course alone has on the industry far outweigh any development.”
“Sandown is by far the most dynamic and user-friendly for racing and participants. It’s a big, open, and roomy track that is safe and reliable for horse and jockey to compete on.” - Amy McDonald
However, McDonald also brings a nuanced perspective by suggesting a middle ground. While she strongly opposes a complete sale, she acknowledges that “there are many significant pockets of land on this huge property that are dormant and underutilized that could be sold as a partial development, which would be ideal for all parties involved. Leaving the racetrack in its glorious entirety is a must!”
The desire to retain Sandown
Despite the varied perspectives, one theme is clear: a significant portion of the community wants Sandown to stay as it is. According to The Thoroughbred Report, 198 people expressed a desire to retain the racecourse, while 32 were open to redevelopment, albeit with conditions. Some submissions called for the land to be used for alternative entertainment purposes, such as festivals, markets, or other sporting events, while others suggested its potential for educational uses within the racing industry.
Fran Houlahan, another respected trainer, adds to the chorus of support for retaining Sandown, stating, “Sandown is a vital cog in the machine that is racing's future in Victoria. It is among the best tracks in the country and copes well with the demands on it. As it is owned freehold, it is not subject to the whims of politicians in the future; who have demonstrated their willingness to tear up contracts... Protect racing by keeping Sandown, intact as it is. The future is unknown... Visionaries built Sandown. It must be kept at all costs.”
Fran Houlahan | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Jockeys also wanted their voice heard.
“The Victorian Jockeys Association is the body representing all the Victorian jockey cohort. We believe Sandown racecourse is one of, if not the, safest, best and fairest racecourses in Australia for both horse and rider,” said Matt Pumpa, representing the Victorian Jockeys Association. “In summary, Victoria's jockeys absolutely support the long-term retention of Sandown as a horse racing track and believe the industry would be negatively impacted should it be closed and sold off as some are proposing."
A critical juncture for racing both horses and cars
The debate isn't just about horse racing. Motorsport enthusiasts are equally concerned. Sandown has been a fixture in the motor racing world since 1962, hosting prestigious events like the Australian Grand Prix and the Sandown 500. The loss of this iconic track would be a significant blow to the motorsport community, which fears being pushed out of Melbourne entirely.
The path forward
As the hearings proceed, the Advisory Committee will be tasked with considering all these viewpoints and more. The future of Sandown Racecourse hangs in the balance, with the final decision expected in November. Will Sandown remain a cornerstone of Victoria's racing and motorsport culture, or will it transform into a new residential development, paving the way for 7,500 homes? The clock is ticking, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
“Will Sandown remain a cornerstone of Victoria's racing and motorsport culture, or will it transform into a new residential development, paving the way for 7,500 homes?”
Ultimately, the decision will rest not just on the economic and logistical aspects but on the passion and dedication of those who have made Sandown their home—whether on the racetrack or in the grandstands.
As Pat Carey aptly put it, “It [Sandown] is recognized by the racing industry and the government as the third largest employer of people in Victoria; by removing Sandown, we put at risk the ecosystem of racing and its economy... So who owns Sandown? Is it the MRC committee? No. Is it the state government? No. Or is it the racing industry and the participants and people who derive their income as a whole? YES.”
Amy McDonald’s perspective highlights a potential compromise, recognizing the value of Sandown while suggesting that some development might be possible without losing the track entirely. “We should not be letting go of something so integral to our industry and community,” she insists, but also acknowledges the need to explore options that could benefit both the industry and the local community.
Pat Carey | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
The future of Sandown may be uncertain, but one thing is clear: it’s more than just a racecourse. It’s a community, a heritage, and for many, a way of life. And as the debates rage on, those who love Sandown are making their voices heard, loud and clear.
