Our History
1975
Early in 1975 the Landsborough Shire decided to explore the possibility of establishing a racecourse at Mooloolah adjacent to the Ewen Maddock Dam.
1976
On 15th June, a development proposal to accommodate both racing and trotting was submitted to Council. Following the submission, Council established the Mooloolah Valley Recreational Committee to investigate the viability of the proposal. Meetings were held with the Hon. Sir Gordon Chalk, Treasurer and Minister for Racing Sir Douglas Wadley, Chairman of the QTC. Both Sir Gordon and Sir Douglas tried to discourage any plans for a new racecourse.
On 19th November, The Ewen Maddock Dam was opened by the Hon. William (later Sir William) Knox, Treasurer and Minister for Racing. A meeting of interested people was held in Council Chambers and a Steering Committee was named to investigate formation of a Racing Club in Caloundra and a trial gallop was staged to test the proposed area opposite The Ewen Maddock Dam. Leading jockey, Peter Cook riding Doug Treloar’s ‘Thunderbolt’ covered the trial track without incident and later stated that the racecourse at Mooloolah site was feasible.
1977
The initial proposal was submitted on 3rd February suggesting the Club should be named Sunshine Coast Racing and Trotting Club. This however was short-lived and by June it was decided by the Board to rule out any hope of being issued a license for a Trotting Club. It was not yet a registered Racing Club.
A public meeting approved the formation of the Club’s Steering Committee to draw up the Constitution. The inaugural meeting of what was named the Sunshine Coast Racing Club was held on 30 June.
Planning indicated that more land was needed to increase the size of the track. Peter Allan produced new plans for an enlarged track extending into the adjoining property.
1978
In 1978, new plans were produced for an enlarged track extending into adjoining property. During this period other Clubs were also fighting against a License to ensure their own viability.
On 21st March, Peter Allan was elected to the Management Committee. After strong submissions in April, the Minister relaxed his previous hard stand and requested a viability study.
On 5th August, the first Executive Committee was elected: O. Brown (President), L. Outtrim (Vice-President), O. Darling (Vice President) and B. Henzell (Secretary/Treasurer). Committee: J. Donaldson, W. Hendricks, T. Hennessey, R. Ingram, A. Marr, G. Olm, F. Scarffe, C. Whelan and A. Wolff.
In September, the central Sunshine Coast Turf Club was formed to compete for a Racing License which was virtually ruled out by the Racing Minister. An area of Sippy Downs north was put forward as a likely site, but on closer examination this alternative was abandoned and another Committee was formed to find an alternative site in Landsborough Shire. Land owned by Mr Edward Corbould, a grazier, facing Caloundra Road was recommended on 11th December as a potential site and was accepted. Mr Corbould’s initial reaction to a phone call about the possible sale of his land facing Caloundra Road was not encouraging.
1979
Whilst Mr Corbould’s initial reaction to the possible sale of his land was not encouraging, a formal letter sent to him on the 30th January paved the way for negotiations.
Tom Hennessy and Peter Allan made it clear that the area the Club wanted for a racecourse was the section of low lying melon hole swamp. The success of meetings confirmed that a 50 year negotiable lease for the whole area could be agreed to. Negotiations were held to discuss the opportunity to purchase the land and lease back to the Club.
When Mr Corbould agreed to sell the site to the Council, the Council had made no arrangements for loan finance to fund the purchase nor did it have the funds available.
1980
The contract was finally signed on the 4th February, a year almost to the day since Peter Allan first wrote to Mr Edward Corbould. The 153 hectares now known as Corbould Park was purchased by the Council for $153,000 and payment was made to Edward Corbould by way of twenty post-dated bills with a final bill falling due on 1 May 1999.
Later the Shire Chairman Jack Beausang stated that “the proposed purchase of Corbould Park, as it was to be named, would be the most beneficial purchase made by the Shire since it acquired Mary Cairncross amenity”.
1981
On 18th May, the Club won the battle for the License and in July submitted an application for QTC registration.
Clearing commenced on the site in August with the Minister for Racing agreeing to pay $40,000 for this work and with a provincial License confirmed on 1st September a small site office was erected in October. Kern Bros. offered to build the complex for $5,688,000 and the QTC granted Club registration.
The founding committee was formed: T.J Hennessey (Chairman), A. Long (Vice Chairman), J. Stokes (Vice Chairman), P. Allen (Secretary), W. Henzell (Treasurer). Committee: D.Aldous, R. Flynn, L. Geeves, R.Henzell, E. Pierce and A. Wolff.
1982
1982 brought the wettest season seen in 10 years and almost brought construction to a halt. There were discussions with Council regarding the terms of the lease which were finalised in June.
On the 22nd July, Minister for Racing the Hon Russ Hinze, MLA granted $1 million to be made available from the Racing Development Fund for initial construction and he sanctioned Saturday Race meetings, although the grant had to be confirmed by Cabinet.
1983
On 6th June, the Minister granted approval for the Club to raise $2 million, and Westpac bank agreed to fund the project of $2 million.
The Official Opening of the Club’s offices at Centrepoint, Bulcock Street, Caloundra was carried out by the Hon Michael Ahern MLA.
On 16th June, appointment of Des Cooper as General Manager was confirmed. Construction work commenced, employing day labour for the construction and development under the supervision of the Club’s incorporation. An important milestone that year was the membership register was ruled off at 1,000, the highest per capita of any race club in Australia.
A Master Concept Plan was prepared and accepted in November and action was taken to call tenders for supply of turf as earthworks approached 85% complete.
1984
In February, the Minister appointed a Brisbane firm of engineers to take an overriding supervisory role of the total project and in March, the Governor in Council approved the further $2 million.
Construction was in full swing, landscaping was underway and distinctive features were a visual timing device, public address system, race information board and false start technology were being in installed. All the pieces were now falling into place.
John Green was appointed the first Racecourse Manager in May. On 27th May, 300 members were shown around the Racecourse which then provided every indication of its eventual splendour. Veteran Jockey Kevin Mitchell and trainer Ian Mitchell predicted that Corbould Park would be a better course than Doomben or Caulfield.
All construction was completed on Friday 17th July and a trial gallop was planned and held on the newly turfed track on 28th July proving the track satisfactory.
The Committee was aware of the need to develop the Racecourse as a tourist attraction while providing a first class facility for the locals. The Committee dedicated $20,000 towards promotion of the Club for the first twelve months of its total operation. This amount has since grown and the relationship between Tourism and local business has continued.
1985
On 25th January, Deputy Chairman Tony Long officially announced the opening date would be 25th July with no ‘ifs or buts’. The opening would be just nine years after the Mooloolah Valley Recreation Committee was formed to investigate the feasibility of a race course. The whole operation had been described as converting a snake infested swamp into a world class racing complex.
A unique factor to be remembered about the creation of Corbould Park is that whereas most courses have been developed gradually from modest beginnings, the Corbould Park design engineers and architects started from scratch and produced a perfectly planned, fully functional and attractive new racing venue ready to see the first barrier rise.
The Sunshine Coast Turf Club (SCTC) conducted its first race meeting on Thursday 25th July with seven races. The first horse ever to win at Corbould Park was Mister Omega ridden by Ron Quinton and trained by Brian Tattam in the H E Corbould Transition Handicap. The crowd attendance was 14,000 people with 1,198 members.
In the inaugural year of trading the Club reported a tote turnover was $3,613,057 and bookmakers turnover was $17,896,191.
1986
Ken Norquay took up the role of General Manager at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club.
1987
1987 saw the introduction of TAB meetings with seven being allocated to the Sunshine Coast Turf Club. Due to technical difficulties transmitting from Brisbane to Caloundra under the TAB computer link, coverage was limited to certain race meetings.
1989
Further development of Corbould Park saw the completion of the Sunshine Coast Turf Club Administration Office and Level 2 Function Centre. Following this, administration and operations moved from the central Caloundra office to the new purpose-built office facilities at Corbould Park.
1992
In 1992, the racing industry changed with the Queensland Principal Club taking control of the Industry from Queensland Turf Club.
During this period the racing industry introduced Pub TABS and licensed gaming venues for poker machines and the introduction of Sky international racing.
1993
10 May, David Aldred was appointed General Manager after the resignation of Ken Norquay. The Sunshine Coast Turf Club took on a whole new look with scheduled race meetings over Saturday and mid-week.
From the 53 race meetings allocated, thirty were scheduled for Saturday, three public holidays and twenty mid-week.
The Anniversary Cup Carnival was conducted on Wednesday and Thursday in July for the first time.
1994
On 20th June, the Sunshine Coast Turf Club became a Licensed Club. Betting meetings were introduced a short-time after and covered all Saturday race meetings when the Club didn’t race. With the new License, the Club was able to operate from Monday through to Saturday serving meals.
The Klip Klop Club opened to provide a childminding service for patrons attending the Club. Also, the introduction of markets in the area adjacent the car park in Pierce Avenue. These markets were run by the Leukaemia Foundation.
Sunday racing commenced.
1997
Changes in the Queensland Government’s regulations ruled that clubs could no longer rent poker machines and the Sunshine Coast Turf Club would be required to purchase the existing machines. At the time the new legislation was enforced, the Club was not in a financial position to purchase poker machines and in March the Champion Social Club closed. Sunshine Coast Turf Club was the first club in the South East region to establish it’s own Internet website. The site was spread over four pages and included bright colour pictures.
1998
The State Cabinet approved a submission from Racing Minister Russell Cooper for funding for Sunshine Coast Turf Club to purchase Corbould Park from Caloundra City Council. In September, “Pay TV” was introduced which significantly impacted on-course memberships, patronage and turnover to the racing industry.
1999
Following a grant from Queensland Principal Club’s Racecourse Development Fund the facility was repainted with a then modern scheme of green and yellow and new lights for training were installed.
1999 also saw the privatisation of TAB Queensland which not only changed the Sunshine Coast Turf Club but the whole racing industry in general.
During this time membership dropped to an all time low of 449.
2000
In February, Mick Sullivan was appointed Chief Executive Officer.
2001
Mick launched the 100 Club concept and Gala Dinner Draw. In the inaugural year, the event was fully subscribed with 100 Sponsors and naming rights of Caloundra Cup was won by Castlemaine Perkins (XXXX).
Further development was completed throughout Corbould Park. The now Champagne Garden was converted from garden beds to a level area with retaining walls and exposed aggregate paved flooring. ATM’s were also installed through-out the Course.
2002
The Caloundra Cup Changed from a mid-week carnival to a stand alone metropolitian Saturday, combining Caloundra Cup, Glasshouse Handicap and Sunshine Coast Guineas on the one programme.
2003
February saw the completion of the equine Swimming Pool/Dam. The Dam is 0.8ha, holds 22 megalitres and reaches a depth of 4 metres. There is a 70 metre hardwood platform with hand rails and guide poles; and a concrete ramp and crusher dust completing the approach.
2004
Ensuring that views were not obstructed from the Members Enclosure, shade sails were installed over the Champagne Garden as this area has been very popular for bookings.
2005
The Club in partnership with Hot 91.1 ran its inaugural Ladies Oaks Day on the Caloundra Show Holiday with attendance of 8,127.
This year’s Melbourne Cup saw a record crowd of 13,155 attending.
2006
As the Club’s lease was nearing expiry and the Club needed security beyond the expiry date of 31st December 2012, Sunshine Coast Turf Club approached Racing Queensland and negotiations began regarding the possibilities of the Racing Industry purchasing the freehold from Caloundra City Council.
2007
On 27 July, Sunshine Coast Racing Unit Trust purchased the freehold land from Caloundra City Council. This ownership is between Racing Queensland and the Sunshine Coast Turf Club. This ensured the future of the Sunshine Coast Turf Club as its Lease with Caloundra City Council was to expire on 30 June 2012. It was also the year that Equine Influenza (EI) outbreak crippled Queensland racing (from late August) for a three month period.
With restrictive measures in place, racing recommenced at Corbould Park on Sunday 2 December. This meant that the Club held a “Phantom” Melbourne Cup meeting. Even though we were back racing it wasn’t until late February 2008 before all the restrictions and bio-security measures were lifted.
2008
In late 2008, Racing Queensland invested $7.1 million into a development project at Corbould Park that saw the installation of 960 lights, 40 towers and two million watts of brightness! In addition, a 40sqm large outdoor screen was installed on the inside of the track making Corbould Park one for the first racing clubs to have a permanent screen.
The revolutionary synthetic racetrack (“Cushion Track”) was installed in 2008. The cushion track provides an all-weather racing surface and was the first of its kind in Australia.
2009
Saturday 21st February 2009 saw the first race meeting under lights and the first of a succession of Saturday meetings whilst Toowoomba Turf Club was installing their cushion track.
2010
During 2010, Racing Queensland assumed operational management of racing at Corbould Park which included track, stabling and staff. The Sunshine Coast Turf Club retained the right to manage the day-to-day operations and maintain the facility.
During this period, Racing Queensland saw the need to establish an On-Course Stabling Complex. The current structure which accommodates 256 horses within the grounds of Corbould Park was constructed. The new state-of-the-art facility enticed both interstate and international trainers to call the Sunshine Coast home.
2011
During 2011, major renovations were completed throughout the Racecourse, maintaining Corbould Park status as a first-class racing and training facility.
Remodelling to the Function Room, Stewards Rooms, Members Enclosure, Public Bar and Administration building; as well as the installation and upgrade in AV, tote monitors and the introduction of point of sales cash registers. A barcoded ticketing system was also introduced throughout the facility.
Further upgrades of the main entrance roadways from back of marquee area through to Public Bar and Kiosk were completed.
Sunshine Coast Turf Club galloped into the record books again in 2011, with 79 race meetings scheduled on the racing calendar, more than any other racecourse in Australia.
2012
With the change of Government and Racing Queensland administration, the Sunshine Coast Turf Club was re-instated to the role of racing and track management. The change of administration took place on 1 August and included the management of Racing Queensland’s On-Course Stabling Complex.
Construction to the Champagne Garden saw the addition of a full lock up bar with storeroom, new tote facilities and a fully operational kitchen with state-of-the-art cooking facilities. The renovations were completed in time for Ladies Oaks Day and this area soon became the premier event space at Corbould Park.
2013
Changes to Queensland Racing stripped the Sunshine Coast Turf Club of preferred racedays and pushed prime TAB meetings on to regional tracks. The changes had significant impact to the Club, costing it 34 of the 49 Sunday race meetings it conducted in the previous year.
2014
After seven years of operation, the bottom layer of sand compacted on the Cushion Track, which required a total turnover of Cushion Track material. The work took two excavators three weeks to complete and was completed without any impact to operations or daily training.
2015
2015 saw the beginning of major refurbishments to the Corbould Park complex. Secured funding enabled a facelift of the Members facilities including new bar, carpets and furniture. A reconfiguration of turnstiles, the installation of ticket booths, floor tiling and signage completed at the Main Entrance saw Corbould Park evolve into a first class facility.
In a spectacular turn of events, the Chris Waller trained Winx outclassed the opposition in a last to first place win at the Sunshine Coast Guineas. Winx had all 16 rivals in front of her when turning for home, but the Larry Cassidy ridden Winx not only swept home to win, but put a near two-length margin on her rivals.
2016
The redevelopment plans continued throughout 2016 with the installation of a permanent Marquee structure, to cater for groups of 30-60 people, on the lower Members Terrace. Refurbishments transformed the Burger Bar into the now Furlong Café. The outdoor screen was replaced with a large 55sqm screen and a total upgrade to the track irrigation system was completed.
2017
2017 saw the appointment of John Miller after the retirement of CEO Mick Sullivan following a 17 year tenure.
2018
2018 saw further upgrades completed at Corbould Park with the installation of fibre optic internet cabling, new turnstiles and ticketing systems. The new technology replaced the second-hand turnstiles installed in 2011 and enabled further advancements in technology for the Club.
During the lead up to the 2018 Melbourne Cup, Queensland races came to a standstill as an alliance of trainers, jockeys, owners and breeders announced plans to strike over the Government’s handling of the Point of Consumption Tax. Following discussions, the Queensland Government brokered a deal with the Racing Industry and negotiations saw an increase of $26 million of prize money for Queensland thoroughbred TAB race meetings.
After a period of uncertainty brought about by the strike action, the Melbourne Cup celebrations went ahead as planned. However, the threat of strike action proved to have significant commercial implications for the Club with the lowest reported crowd attendance in ten years. Despite this, not everyone was put off by a visit to Corbould Park, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison making an appearance at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club and enjoying a beer and a punt.
2019
2019 saw the construction of a new permanent Marquee facility ‘The Pavilion’. The additional function space, which has capacity to hold up to 150 patrons addresses the need for additional facilities on feature racedays.
The development of the new Member’s Atrium Bar & Dining facility (previously the Favourites Function Room) was completed. This space ensured a unique area for Members and guests to enjoy premium hospitality with spectacular views of the track.
2020
2020 saw Covid-19 disruptions coming into effect from March. The Club traded under a Covid Safe Plan which allowed the Club to race, however with no public in attendance. The Club was also unable to host two of it’s biggest meetings, namely Ladies Oaks Day and Caloundra Cup.
The Club continued to invest in upgrading facilities and services On Course, including the new rubber surface in the horse parade areas, improvements to the Bull Ring training track and the recent refurbishment of the Trainers Bar and Winning Owners Bar.
2021
This year the Club underwent a brand refresh of all Club branding and the introduction of a new Club logo.
The long-awaited PolyTrack upgrade project was completed. The Project also included new sand slit drainage installed on the B-Grass Track, upgrade of the Plough Track and Irrigation for the PolyTrack. The PolyTrack is designed for both training and racing, safeguarding the Club against inclement weather.
2022
Works commenced on an additional four On Course stable barns adding to the existing eight barns.
A significant upgrade modernising all the existing facilities to the Jockeys Room was completed; providing the female jockeys with more space and modernising of all the existing amenities.
2023
The Stable Project was completed, providing an additional four (4) stable barns suitable for 128 horses built adjacent to the existing stables. This will increase horse numbers trained on site to approximately 550.
A refurbishment of the current Members Bar & Bistro was completed with a new kitchen being installed, together with new furniture for both inside and outside on the Members Terrace.
Three new Venues – The Glasshouse positioned on the Members Terrace was completed suitable for 40-50 people, replacing the Marquee structure; and the Parade Ring Terrace saw the construction of a new Bar and Food Outlet and new furniture to create a unique outdoor space for enjoying the racing. The Chairman’s Club (previously the Committee Room) – this exclusive area to be used by Chairman’s Club businesses and has been designed to provide an upmarket corporate facility for these businesses to network and entertain guests.
Construction on the installation of a new lift on the outside of the Members Building to access all levels was completed.
Prizemoney for the Club’s 3 black type races on Caloundra Cup Day were increased with Club funding. The Listed Caloundra Cup Day, Group 3 Double R Group Winx Guineas and the Listed TAB Glasshouse were run for $300,000.