Racing hearts once pounded not only on the turf but also on the tarmac right here at Warwick Farm. This suburb of Sydney holds stories of horsepower of both kinds. Warwick Farm lies 30 kilometres west of Sydney’s central business district. It is part of the City of Liverpool.
Originally, this area was known as Irish Town. It was populated by Irish political prisoners transported after the Irish Rebellion of 1798. In 1809, land grants were made to these transportees. John Hawley Stroud, superintendent of Liverpool Orphans School, received a grant in 1804. This land is the present site of Warwick Farm Racecourse. He named his property after Warwick in England.
Warwick Farm Racecourse is a landmark here. It sits on the western shore of the Georges River. The racecourse officially opened in 1889. William Forrester and Edwin Oatley formed the Warwick Farm Racing Club.
William Alexander Long bought J.H. Stroud’s Warwick Park grant in the early 1880s. By 1884, he had developed his property across the river. He built stables and tracks at Chipping Norton. Long lived at Chipping Norton until 1901. The banks then foreclosed on him. His most successful horse, Grand Flaneur, won the Melbourne Cup in 1880.
Forrester was a successful trainer. He owned two Melbourne Cup winners: Gaulus in 1897 and The Grafter in 1898. Forrester died almost destitute after his last winner. The Watch Dog won the Ellesmere Stakes at Randwick Racecourse in 1901. Edwin Oatley owned the racecourse early in the twentieth century.
During World War II, Warwick Farm Racecourse was used as a camp. Australian, American, and British armed forces occupied it. The camp was known as Camp Warwick and HMS Golden Hind.
Warwick Farm railway station serves the suburb. A branch line once ran to Warwick Farm Racecourse. It transported race-day patrons until it closed in August 1990. The Hume Highway is the main road through Warwick Farm. The William Long Bridge crosses the Georges River to Chipping Norton.
For a time, Warwick Farm also echoed with the roar of engines. Warwick Farm Raceway operated from 1960 to 1973. It was located within the Warwick Farm Racecourse site. The raceway hosted major events including the Australian Grand Prix. The first big meeting drew 65,000 spectators in January 1961. The Australian Jockey Club did not want to improve the circuit. The last major race was in 1973. Peter Brock won a round of the Australian Touring Car Championship.
Today, Warwick Farm continues to evolve. It blends its rich history with a modern community. The suburb had a population of 6,135 in 2021. It is a place where the echoes of racing glory and agricultural roots still resonate.