On Tuesday (7 April) Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris officially opened world-class facilities at Scone Race Club as part of a Minns Labor Government investment of $36 million to ensure racing in the Hunter is at full gallop for decades to come.
The NSW Government's $67 million Racing for the Regions program allocated $20 million to install a state-of-the-art Polytrack training track, new stables and enhanced supporting infrastructure to put Scone on the international racing map.
Minister Harris joined Racing NSW Chair Dr Saranne Cook, Director George Souris and members of the Scone Race Club Board to inspect the completed Polytrack and the first of five new stables that will provide best-in-class facilities for local horses, riders and trainers.
The eight metre-wide Polytrack is an all-weather, synthetic training surface that doesn't require watering down or irrigation, saving precious resources, time and effort. It also enables horses to be worked throughout the year, even during wet weather, and minimises the risk of injury by providing a consistent, secure surface.
Stage One of the stables project has seen 113 horses relocated to a modern, two-storey 'hotel for horses'. Once completed by the end of 2026, four single-storey stables will be added to accommodate 302 horses, bringing the total number housed at the centre to more than 520, making it NSW's largest regional training facility.
Located in the heart of Australia's horse capital, the racing and training facility was founded in 1944 as the Scone Jockey Club. The current racecourse began operating in 1994 and is renowned as one of NSW's premier country circuits. It is also home to the prestigious Darley Scone Cup Carnival, Australia's leading two-day country racing event.
The Hunter region is also home to two other Racing for the Regions projects investing millions of dollars into boosted infrastructure at Muswellbrook and Cessnock.
- Muswellbrook - $4.2 million for a grandstand upgrade with improved viewing, expanded multi-purpose function centre, enhanced male and female jockeys' facilities with an 80% increase in the size of the female jockey room, and improved steward facilities. The renovated site is now operational, hosting its first event - the Country Championship Race Day - on 8 March 2026.
- Cessnock - $4 million for a grass track renovation and construction of new sand-based training track and $7.5 million for multiple stables and associated infrastructure to accommodate 160 horses. The stables are under construction, with the tracks to follow shortly. Once complete the upgrades will give Cessnock a premier dedicated pre-training facility offering significant cost efficiencies to trainers and free up racecourse stabling.
These projects are funded through the Racing for the Regions program, with additional support from Racing NSW, to ensure rural and regional racecourses and associated infrastructure are up to date.
Over the past five years, Racing for the Regions has provided funding for upgrades at six other racetracks around the state at Gosford, Tamworth, Hawkesbury, Sapphire Coast, Moruya and Albury.
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:
"The Hunter is already producing some of the world's best thoroughbreds, and this investment is about backing that success into the future - supporting local breeders, strengthening the industry and making sure the region continues to lead on the global stage.
"The Hunter is known for its world-class beaches, wineries and racing heritage and this funding recognises the important role the racing industry plays in the region's economy and future growth.
"As the Hunter becomes increasingly connected to the world, including through new international flight pathways, we're investing in the infrastructure needed to attract visitors, support major events and showcase everything our home has to offer."
Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:
"It was fantastic to officially open the state-of-the-art new training track and to see the impressive new stabling infrastructure so close to completion at Scone Race club and other major works virtually completed at Muswellbrook and underway at Cessnock, thanks to the NSW Government's Racing for the Regions program.
"Country racecourses and clubs play a crucial role in developing our champions of tomorrow, and these upgrades will ensure the Hunter and Upper Hunter regions are competitive, grow jobs and offer world class facilities for both participants and the community.
"These projects also enable the creation of modern, inclusive workplaces, with an 80 per cent expansion of female facilities at Muswellbrook accommodating the increasing number of women in racing.
"The redevelopments are about more than just improving race days and training facilities, they're also about creating versatile venues that can host a wide range of community events and securing the long-term future of racing in regional NSW.
"The NSW Government supports a competitive, responsible and sustainable thoroughbred racing industry that generates more than half of its economic impact in rural and regional NSW.
"We're proud to work with Racing NSW to support regional racing and I look forward to seeing further projects come online this year."
Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr said:
"It is great to see the major upgrades being made to the track and infrastructure at Cessnock race track thanks to investment from the Minns Labor Government.
"Once the $11.5 million of new stables and tracks are completed, Cessnock will have a premier dedicated pre-training facility offering significant cost efficiencies to local trainers while attracting those from outside the area to boost our local racing industry and economy.
"This means more new jobs."
Scone Race Club Chairman Alister Fraser said:
"The new Polytrack enhances training safety, reduces weather disruptions, and provides a reliable, modern surface that trainers can use year-round.
"It strengthens horse welfare outcomes and improves consistency in training, which benefits the entire industry.
"This investment is a turning point for Scone and for country racing across the state."
