Grafton Racecourse Grafton racecourse is the home of the Clarence River Jockey Club and the leading racing centre and hub of racing on the far north coast of NSW. The Clarence River Jockey Club was founded in the same year as the first Melbourne Cup in 1861 and has held a pre-eminent position as a leader of country racing in NSW for over 150 years. Grafton racecourse is surrounded by residential streets and is located close to the Grafton shopping and business precinct. It racecourse is adjacent to the Grafton greyhound track and contains a nine hole golf course within its course proper and training tracks. Grafton is located 600km north of Sydney on the Clarence River and 300km south of Brisbane. It is 200km from the Gold Coast and attracts a big number of Queensland-trained horses to the 25 race meetings held annually by the Clarence River Jockey Club.

Grafton’s July Racing Carnival is renowned as one of Australia’s leading country racing events with the Clarence River Jockey Club conducting five race meetings in 10 days. The highlights are the Grafton Cup, Ramornie Handicap and South Grafton Cup. Grafton racecourse is a flat turning track of 1940 metres circumference. The course proper is 25 metres wide with a home straight of 400 metres. Grafton racecourse has four starting chutes catering for races over 2400m, 1750m, 1200m and 1000m. Grafton racecourse boasts public and members grandstands and function facilities. A number of trainers have their stables within the racecourse boundaries.