Thoroughbreds are back at Bunbury after $30m makeover of tracks and stables

After a drawn-out redevelopment process, the final result at a South West Western Australian racetrack has been labelled a “game-changer”. 

While the construction works at Bunbury racecourse were hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, horses, jockeys and trainers have returned to early morning workouts. 

Racing is slated to resume in October, and thanks to an extensive drainage and profile-raising construction, the track can now be used year-round. 

“It’s really good to be back,” trainer Warwick Bradshaw said.

“It’s been a really tough couple of years for all trainers in the region, but to have a racing facility that will now be nearly all-year-round is a real game-changer, not only for us but also for the public.”

Raising the stakes with new turf

Almost $30 million has been spent on the redevelopment that includes a new 20-metre-wide turf track, a 17-metre-wide sand training track, more than 150 state-of-the-art horse stalls and new buildings complete with a viewing deck of the course.

Bunbury Turf Club chief executive Alex Doble said the improvements had been on the drawing board for more than a decade. 

“A lot of hard work has gone into getting to this point,” he said. 

“There was always a perception that our trainers punched above their weight because the facilities they previously had were inferior; they were OK in summer, but once we got in the winter, it was a battle.”

Escaping the swamp 

The project was blown out by an additional 12 months after the pandemic delayed supply chains and restricted engineers and experts travelling to WA. 

Racing and Wagering WA chief racing officer David Hunter said due to its low-lying profile, the turf track had to be raised more than a metre in some sections to escape water-logging issues that previously plagued the course for half a year.

“It’s built in an old swamp, so over the wintertime when it’s wet … the facilities there were unable to be used,” he said. 

“So that meant that Bunbury couldn’t conduct race meetings from roughly mid-April through until October and trainers based there found it really hard to train their horses over that period as well.

“The whole site had to be raised so that we could get a sophisticated engineered drainage system in place.”

Light at the end of the tunnel

Not only were the delays frustrating for those involved in the construction, but also for the trainers and jockeys who had to travel 56 kilometres to Collie or access a privately owned training track in Capel for two years.

Jockey Kyra Yuill said the extra time on the road was draining but worth the reward of a new track. 

“The track is now holding moisture well; it used to get pretty wet and some mornings were horrible out there.

“Now we’ve got good rails, we don’t have as many shadows or puddles and just those little things that people don’t realise but you certainly do as a rider.”

Mr Bradshaw agreed the extra travel was hard on horses and equipment but showed just how dedicated local trainers were to continue achieving their goals. 

“And to train some really good horses over the past two years from here and do it really successfully.” 

Ready to crown the first winner on new turf

Mr Hunter noted the redevelopment took longer than anyone would have liked and he thanked everyone involved for their patience.

“It would now be the best training facilities outside of Perth and equal to what we provide at Ascot and Lark Hill, if not a bit better.

“We’re very committed to thoroughbred racing in the South West — between Ascot and Belmont in the metro area, down to Pinjarra and further down to Bunbury, that corridor is the future and that’s why we invest in those venues along there.” 

Mr Doble said he was excited to get back to the Bunbury Turf Club’s true purpose.

“It’s four months away but it’ll come around really quick and we’ll be back racing at Bunbury.”

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