Helena Vale Racecourse

The Helena Vale Racecourse was established in 1898 after T.F. Elliott and S. Dick purchased 160 acres of thick scrub from James Morrison of Bushmead about, three kilometres from Midland Junction.

A shareholder syndicate of up to 20 people, mainly consisting of Midland Junction, Guildford and Perth businessmen, was established to fund the construction of the racecourse. Bounded by the Great Eastern Highway, the Eastern Railway, Park Road, Rothschild Place and Stanhope Gardens, the racecourse consisted of a track, grandstand, stables, mounting yard and totes were constructed. A branch line from the Eastern Railway was also constructed and this provided public transport for the racegoers as well as transportation for the horses to the racecourse.

The line was also used as a departure point for our Australian soldiers who trained at the nearby Blackboy Hill during World War 1. During this time, the racecourse was also used for military training and storage.

The line was closed in April 1963. WA businessman, Paddy Connolly purchased the controlling stake of the racecourse in the 1920s before it was eventually taken over by the WA Turf Club in 1945.

The last official race meeting at the racecourse was held on March 22, 1969 and from then on until its total closure in 1980s it remained a venue for trials only. Today, the Midvale Industrial Area now occupies the site of the racecourse with street names in the area reflecting winners of the Perth Cup.

Helena Vale Race Course. Source: State Library of Western Australia