The New South Wales town of Gunnedah, on the Namoi River within the Liverpool Plains, is located in the north-east of the state. The area was originally inhabited by the Kamilaroi speaking Aborigines until Europeans began to arrive in 1833, spotting the opportunity to farm sheep in the area. The town has good transport links, being on the Oxley and Kamilaroi Highways, located about 47 miles from Tamworth. The town has a population of just under 10,000 and runs its own highly successful racecourse. The town has its own successful Riverside Racecourse which was first used in 1946, with racing administered by the Gunnedah Jockey Club which boasts a long history having been formed in 1867. The earliest record of a two day race meeting organised by the Jockey Club was on Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th September 1868. Within a year interest in the meeting had declined despite generous prize money being offered.

Wednesday 29th September 1869
Gunnedah Maiden Plate (30 sovereigns) over 1 ½ miles
1. The Slip owned by Mr John Conroy
2. Mariner owned by Mr R Turner
3. Richmond owned by Mr L F Iredale
Prince of Wales Stakes (15 sovereigns) over 1 ½ miles
1. Bronzewing owned by Mr W McLean
2. Madcap owned by Mr R J Nowland
3. The Slip owned by Mr John Convoy
Thursday 30th September 1869
Gunnedah Handicap (35 sovereigns) over 2 miles
1. Seducer owned by Mr R Turner
2. Richmond owned by Mr L F Iredale
3. Mariner owned by Mr R Turner

By the next year the pattern of races was firmly established, namely the Prince of Wales Stakes, the Handicap Plate and the Gunnedah Handicap.
Thursday 10th November 1870
Prince of Wales Stakes over 1 ½ miles
1, Jorrocks owned by Mr Arndell
2. Quondong owned by Mr Eather
3. Flirt owned by Nowland
Handicap Plate over 1 ½ miles
1, Mistake owned by Mr Arndell
2. Orville owned by Mr Dwyer
3. Phantom owned by Mr Conroy
Friday 11th November 1870
Gunnedah Handicap over 2 miles
1. Phantom owned by Mr Conroy
2. Mariner owned by Mr R Turner

Leading up to the outbreak of the First World War the Gunnedah Cup over 7 furlongs was the main event.
1910 Gunnedah Cup over 7 furlongs was won by Roy Hampton, beating Mulowan and Attendant
1911 Gunnedah Cup over 7 furlongs was won by Melyra (3/1) owned by Mr A Clarke and ridden by Abbott, beating Malt Rose (4/1) and Jena (8/1) 8 ran
1912 Gunnedah Cup over 7 furlongs was won by Moeraki (Evens fav) owned by A A & E T Cohen and ridden by Hook, beating Malsterette (3/1) and Allingamite (3/1)

There was no racing during the First World War, while the local Jockey Club was suspended throughout the Second World War, forming again soon after the War had ended, and moving to the present racecourse immediately after the War. Prior to occupying the Riverside Racecourse, races were run on the Old Showground.

The Jockey Club organises a number of race meetings throughout the year, although the principal race is the Gunnedah Gold Cup over 1600 metres, traditionally contested annually in May, although in 2017 it was staged on Monday 21st August.
Recent Gunnedah Cup winners
(A full list of winners is available on request)
2009 Gunnedah Cup ($13,000) over 1600 metres was won by Life’s Too Short (9/2) trained by Ms G Williams and ridden by Greg Ryan, beating Annjolino and He’s Rockin 14 ran
2010 Gunnedah Cup ($13,000) over 1600 metres was won by Prior Baron (5/2) trained by R Northam and ridden by Greg Ryan, beating Cruisy Lady and Tora Tora Tora 12 ran
2011 Gunnedah Cup ($13,000) over 1600 metres was won by Prussian Secret (5/4 fav) trained by Leon Davies and ridden by Jake Hull, beating Kwilas Law and Rollins 11 ran
2012 Gunnedah Cup ($13,000) over 1600 metres was won by Quindelop (6/4 fav) trained by Todd Howlett and ridden by Robert Thompson, beating Pesci and Danabere 16 ran
2013 Gunnedah Cup ($14,410) over 1600 metres was won by Sandrio (4/1) trained by Robert Davies and ridden by Leanne G Henry, beating Star of Dubai and Crown of Snippets 12 ran
2014 Gunnedah Cup ($14,410) over 1600 metres was won by Collar (5/2) trained by Jeremy Sylvester and ridden by Robert Thompson, beating Phrases and Star of Dubai 13 ran
2015 Gunnedah Cup ($14,410) over 1600 metres was won by Pippi’s Pride (16/1) trained by Stephen Gleeson and ridden by Leanne G Henry, beating Cocktail Time and Court Order 10 ran
2016 Gunnedah Cup ($14,410) over 1600 metres was won by Halfway To Heaven (10/1) trained by Bob Haire and ridden by Kaylee Kirkwood, beating Free Billy and Quartermaster 14 ran
2017 Gunnedah Cup ($16,800) over 1600 metres was won by Avroson (7/2) trained by Brett Cananough and ridden by Travis Wolfgang, beating Mishani Stealth and Present Sense 9 ran

ISBN 978-0-9957632-0-3

652 pages

774 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-1-0

352 pages

400 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-2-7

180 pages

140 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-3-4

264 pages

235 former courses