The North Queensland Racing Association was formed in Charters Towers.
The Richmond Downs Jockey Club was one of the dozen or so clubs that were in attendance for the historic meeting that led to the formation of one of the Principal Clubs of Australia.
The Clutha Picnic Club was formed.
Clutha Picnic Race Club forged on through the war, except in 1942. Gradually though the grass-fed races were phased out to be replaced by corn fed as professional racing was a taking a firm hold everywhere.
Followed on were the Richmond Licensed Victuallers Race Club using the present racecourse, in 1920 the Richmond Diggers commenced racing, with a break during the WWII.
The Diggers used to race on Caulfield Cup Day and always brought in a good crowd. The Diggers Club financed the connection of town water supply to the racecourse. A lot of picnic unregistered racing came to a stop during WWII.
The Richmond Downs Jockey Club collapsed due to the depression.
The Clutha Picnic Race Club, also a primary club, picked up the pieces and paid the debt.
And so into a new era, Richmond Turf Club was established.
The formation of the club was to promote registered race clubs in the west and to form a circuit from Mt Isa to Charters Towers .
Many of the Race Clubs at this stage were not registered and were run as Charitable Clubs.
Original committee of Richmond Turf Club formed.
Patron: Mr H Morrice
President: Mr WH Carter
Vice Presidents: Mr JT Kelman, Mr M Clarence
Secretary: Mr CD Wehlow
Treasurer: Mr G Alison
Committee Messrs: BC Carter, J Harrington; FJ Tritton, NJ Howard, P Morrice, TR Forster, BT Kelman, NT Slack-Smith, J Forster, NHW Forster, BJ O’Neill, JF O’Neill.
There were two other race clubs racing at Richmond the Clutha Picnic Club and the Diggers Club.
These two clubs eventually amalgamated with Richmond Turf Club.
We are located on Racecourse Road, Richmond in North West Queensland, Australia.
