The Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) has completed development on its racing facilities at Eagle Farm Racecourse providing everyone connected with the sport “ horses, trainers, owners, jockeys and spectators “ with improved facilities.

The development included the relocation of the parade ring to behind the existing grandstand facilities, the construction of 110 new race day tie up stalls, 5 hosing bays, 4 air-conditioned swab stalls, an exercise area, new stewards and media facilities and the completion of state-of-the-art new jockeys locker rooms complete with spa baths.

The concept behind the development was to bring horses to the heart of the track and closer to spectators on race day.

In so doing, we have restored the parade ring and raceday tie up stalls to their original location at Eagle Farm in the early 1940s, said BRC Chairman Mr Dixon.

Horses now parade in a more central area behind the main grandstand facilities allowing more spectators to view the horses, jockeys and trainers pre and post race. A 100-year-old fountain, first erected at Eagle Farm in 1912, stands pride of place in the centre of the new parade ring.

The project has also increased the capacity of the Members’ facilities and provides more trackside viewing areas for spectators to enjoy the racing action on track.

Our team led by Racecourses Manager, Bill Shuck and Facilities Manager, Mark Williams worked tirelessly to complete the project in just under 6 months in a fully operational facility, said Mr Dixon.

The BRC has launched the facility just in time for its signature racing event, the Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival which runs between May 12 and June 9.

We’re thrilled to unveil these state-of-the-art new facilities in time for the 2012 Carnival when Australasia’s best are in Queensland to compete, said Mr Dixon.

The BRCs development is also environmentally friendly with two 100,000 litre underground rain water tanks installed for cleaning and hosing in horse areas as well as irrigation and beatification of the parade ring and landscaped areas.

The Brisbane Racing Club successfully implemented a similar development at its Doomben Racecourse two years ago.