Mansfield & District Racing Club
As the biggest recreational horse riding area in Australia, it's no surprise that Mansfield shares an intertwined history with horse racing.
The area's first documented race was a two day meeting held in 1855 but these is sure to have been races before that time. In 1869 the Mansfield Jockey Club was formed with the first race, a two day meetings held in 1870 on a property named Flannery's Paddock. The Club had no fixed abode and racing was conducted at a number of different sites in the area until 1930 when the Mansfield Jockey Club was awarded the present site on Benalla Road, hosting the first meeting on the new track in 1932.
A name change in 1965 to Mansfield District Racing Club resulted when the Maindample Racing Club merged with Mansfield. At this time it was suggested that the new club run their six races a year at Benalla, 60 kilometres to the west, but this was strongly contested by members and locals and never enventuated.
Today, the colourful country club hosts two races each year, one of which is a picnic race on Melbourne Cup Day. Both are very well received with strong fields and healthy crowds the norm. This is especially true of Mansfield Cup Day, which is held in December and draws the whole town together.
As well as its attractive course, the Mansfield & District Racing Club offers modern facilities, including an on-course tote board, dining room and bar.