Richmond Raceway — Streets of East Freo

History

Originally part of the property owned by George Pearse, this area was a Municipal Reserve from 1913 - 1927, and the Fremantle Association Trotting Grounds- Richmond Raceway, a horse and harness racing (trotting) track in East Fremantle. It was established in 1928 and ran until it closed in 1991, when the area became a housing estate.

It is bounded by Marmion, Silas, George and Moss Streets with Raceway Park in the centre of the area. Also retained are parts of the entrance gates on the corner of Silas and Baypatch Street (with signage) now Marjorie Green Park (1997 - named to commemorate the Town of East Fremantle’s first female Councillor Marjorie A. Green— you can read more about her under Notable People) and the George and Moss Street corner now the George Booth Park, named for the 1943-1958 President of the Committee of the Fremantle Trotting Club.

Construction: A photo from the Daily News, Tuesday 7 February 1928, shows part of the straight of the trotting track being constructed using limestone taken from the hill inside the grounds.

From the West Australian, Tuesday 24 July 1928, page 10

‘‘TROTTING- FREMANTLE CLUB'S MEETING. An Auspicious Opening- Considering that the meeting was held in the middle of winter the Fremantle Trotting Club must have been delighted with the fine, frosty weather that prevailed last night, and more than satisfied with the great crowd that attended their initial meeting, which had been postponed from Saturday night, on the newly-made course at East Fremantle. With one exception, well fancied horses were successful in every event. The seven races were decided over long distance and between events music was supplied by a brass band. The club have made a good impression with the manner in which they handled the arrangements for their first fixture. The programme opened with an event for West Australian bred horses over a mile and a half. Doncino, who was lying handy over the early stages just won from Pronto's Gift. Vanity Wilkes stumbled and unseated her driver, who was uninjured. Little Saxon pulled up. From 2 to 1 Alto Donald firmed to evens for the Preliminary Handicap. The gelding justified the confidence reposed in him by winning easily from the early pacemaker; Manx Harold. From 5 to 2 Leo Huon (see photo) drifted to 5's,' while Redmaster from 5 to 2 against firmed to 6 to 4 on for the Silas Handicap. Another favourite in Grand Bells was successful in the George Handicap. He won narrowly from Black Tips, who unfortunately for his backers faulted at a critical stage. Craboon also broke, while Witch Way pulled up In the Fremantle Handicap. A 10 to 1 chance won the Moss Handicap, Neweybar beating the favourite Anna Bells, to the line. The meeting was brought to a close with the Marmion Handicap, which went to Happy Alto; the favourite; Grand March, and Arthur's Pride: filling the places.”
1937 Fremantle Gymkhana. Infant Welfare Fund Increased. Three hours of amusement was provided at Richmond Park on Saturday night, when a gymkhana in aid of the Infant Welfare Appeal was held. Three trotting races and pedestrian, cycling and novelty events comprised the programme and there was not a dull moment. The joint honorary secretaries, Messrs. B. W. P. Lee and E. C. Tompkins, devoted a lot of time in organising the gymkhana. They desire to express their thanks to the committee of the Fremantle Trotting Club for the use of the ground, to donors of trophies and the W.A. Athletic League and the W.A. League of Wheelmen for the assistance rendered… (reference)

Trotting was interrupted from 1942-1949 when Richmond Park and the East Fremantle oval were used by the US Armed Forces as a general military base and by the Australians as an anti-aircraft Defence facility. (See the photograph of an Ack-ack gun and personnel, from Small but Strong- a Pictorial History of the Town of East Fremantle, Helene Charlesworth 1997, page 67)

Greta photos of the Richmond Raceway in the 1970s can be seen in a collection of images held in the state Library WA: (reference)

Richmond Raceway was redeveloped in 1976- please look at the drawing supplied by J Ross under the images.

Richmond Raceway was closed in 1991, was demolished and became a housing estate in 1994. Richmond Raceway Turnstiles were retained as a reminder of 63 years of harness racing at Richmond Raceway.

The last race was won by Speedy Cheval on 12th April 1991. A street in the new development has been named after him.

On Saturday 1 August 2020 (Horse’s Birthday) the Town of East Fremantle unveiled newly commissioned public art at the two remaining Richmond Raceway Trotting Booths… the horses featured on the 10 window panels are:

· Dainty’s Daughter - Trainer-Driver: Bernie Cushing

· Mount Eden - Trainer-Driver: Jack Miles

· Pure Steel - Trainer: Russell Roberts / Driver: Mark Roberts

· Royal Force - Trainer: George Kennett / Driver: Dudley Anderson

· San Simeon - Owner: Lyall Porter / Trainer-Driver: Lou Austin

· Sylvia Mint - Trainer: Bill Johnson / Driver: Max Johnson

· Bay Patch - Owner: G Martin / Trainer-Driver: Alby Boag

· Speedy Cheval - Trainer: Ross Olivieri / Driver: Phil Coulson

· Westgrove Boy - Trainer: Harry Schrader / Driver: Jim Schrader

· Village Kid - Trainer: Bill Horn / Driver: Chris Lewis

Artist: Ben Jones, Fabricator: Margaret River Steel Products Grateful thanks to Tony Jones, local artist, for his passion in pursuing the research. Sincere appreciation of Milton James and Ross Pike (Western Australian Trotting Association), along with Alan Parker (Harness Historian) for their invaluable knowledge.