Penola

The Penola Racing Club, established in 1856 is one of the oldest racing clubs in the south east of South Australia. While race meetings in the mid 1800s were relatively informal affairs Penola is attributed with holding the first official meeting in the state. It was held over three days in February 1856. In those formative years, the streets around the town formed the track with landmarks of today such as the Royal Oak Hotel and the Presbyterian Manse being on two of the corners.

The Penola Racing Club has been at its present location since 1906 and this was made possible when the Club bought 96 acres for 411 pounds. In 1971, Kalangadoo Racing Club, which was formed in May 1898, amalgamated with the Penola Racing Club..

Major race days include the Kalangadoo Cup which is run in November each year, Coonawarra Vignerons Cup is run on the second Thursday of January and the Penola Cup which is run on Easter Sunday.

Membership cost for the racing season is $35.00 per person.

The Racecourse

Located in a picturesque setting, the Penola racecourse has a warmth and a charm about it like few others. It is neat and organised yet cosy, comfortable and relaxed. It oozes heritage and tradition.

It is to the Penola Racing Club's great credit that it has been able to retain this charm and dignity despite the construction of many new buildings in recent years. In each case they have blended with the old with clever use of red brick and sympathetic architecture.

The course is compact yet uncrowded and the vast areas of lawn are permanently green are manicured. It is also the home course of the Millicent Racing Club, which first conducted meetings in December 1874.

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