What Thoroughbred Park does

Thoroughbred Park is a horse racing venue and multi-purpose events centre located in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, operated by the Canberra Racing Club Inc. (CRC), a privately held incorporated association. The venue sits approximately five minutes from Canberra's CBD with light rail access and over 1,000 on-site parking spaces. It is the only major thoroughbred racing venue in the ACT and hosts 25 race meetings per year, including flagship events such as the John McGrath Auto Group Black Opal Stakes Day (a Group 3 race), the Hops & Hooves Festival, and TAB Melbourne Cup & Big Dance Day.

The core product portfolio comprises four pillars: (1) race day operations generating revenue from ticket sales, hospitality packages, and TAB-integrated wagering; (2) CRC Membership, an annual subscription providing free race day entry, F&B discounts, and reciprocal privileges with major Australian race clubs and the Canberra Raiders, plus a youth tier called the Colts & Fillies Club for members aged 18-29; (3) a Functions & Events Centre with six venues ranging from the Owners and Trainers Lounge (150 capacity) to the Exhibition Pavilion (2,000 capacity), supporting weddings, conferences, and community events with in-house catering; and (4) on-site food and beverage operations through the Thoroughbred Cafe, Winning Post Bar, and Black Opal Room.

Revenue is generated across five streams: race day ticket and hospitality sales, recurring membership subscriptions, venue hire for functions, food and beverage sales (transaction-based), and corporate sponsorship from John McGrath Auto Group, TAB, Casino Canberra, Affinity Constructions, Lion, and SHG Lawyers. The organization is governed by a Board chaired by Les Boag with CEO Darren Pearce leading operations. Distribution is primarily direct via an in-house ticketing platform (tickets.thoroughbredpark.com.au), the ivvy events management system, and marketing through the venue's website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X. The venue employs approximately 12 people with reliance on event-day contractors.

Name

Thoroughbred Park

Legal name

The Canberra Racing Club Incorporated

Website

https://thoroughbredpark.com.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Thoroughbred Park is the Canberra Racing Club's horse racing venue and events centre in Canberra, ACT, hosting 25 race meetings annually and operating a multi-purpose Functions & Events Centre for weddings, conferences, and community events, serving racing patrons, corporate clients, and event customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Horse Racing Venue and Function/Events Centre

NAICS

Racetracks (711212)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Racecourse Hospitality, Sponsorship & On-Track Experiences (MPAEADAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Equestrian & Rodeo Facilities (MPAKAEAM)

Keywords

• Horse racing venue
• Racing club membership
• Function venue hire
• Wedding reception venue
• Conference event centre

Headquarters

HQ city

Canberra

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Race Day Operations: Revenue from ticket sales for 25 annual race meetings, including major events like Black Opal Stakes Day and Hops & Hooves Festival. General admission is free for many race days with revenue generated through hospitality packages and membership access.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership to Canberra Racing Club provides benefits including free entry to race days, food and beverage discounts, reciprocal privileges with other clubs, and guest passes for feature race days.
3. Venue Hire and Functions: Revenue from renting function spaces for conferences, weddings, celebrations of life, Christmas parties, trade shows, and community events. Includes in-house catering services.
4. Food and Beverage: On-site food and beverage sales through the Thoroughbred Cafe, Winning Post Bar, Black Opal Room, and catering services for events. Race day hospitality packages include food and beverage credits.
5. Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorship from organizations including John McGrath Auto Group, TAB, Casino Canberra, Affinity Constructions, Lion, and SHG Lawyers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Thoroughbred Park is a horse racing venue in Canberra owned by the Canberra Racing Club Inc., hosting 25 annual race meetings including flagship events such as the John McGrath Auto Group Black Opal Stakes Day and the Hops & Hooves Festival. The same site operates a Functions & Events Centre with six bookable rooms (capacities 150–2,000) hosting weddings, conferences, corporate functions, and community events. Revenue is generated via race day ticketing and hospitality, an annual club membership program, venue hire with in-house catering, food and beverage sales, and corporate sponsorship.

Product overview

Thoroughbred Park is a horse racing venue operated by the Canberra Racing Club (CRC) that operates as a multi-purpose entertainment and hospitality destination. The core offering is the racing venue hosting 25 race meetings annually, including flagship events like the John McGrath Auto Group Black Opal Stakes Day and the Hops & Hooves Festival. Beyond racing, the venue operates the Functions & Events Centre offering conference, wedding, and event packages across multiple versatile spaces (Silks Room, Rich Reward Room, Winning Post Bar, Owners and Trainers Lounge, Exhibition Pavilion). The club also offers CRC Membership with benefits including free race day entry, dining discounts, and reciprocal club privileges, plus the Colts & Fillies Club for younger members aged 18-29. Additional services include racing information subscriptions (CRC Daily Sectionals) and the Canberra Community Chest charity initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Thoroughbred Park Racing Venue A horse racing venue in Canberra operated by the Canberra Racing Club (CRC), hosting 25 race meetings per year including feature events and the Hops & Hooves Festival.
• Functions & Events Centre A versatile event venue offering large-scale indoor and outdoor spaces, on-site parking for over 1,000 cars, light rail access, and flexible function facilities for conferences, gala dinners, trade shows, festivals, weddings, Christmas parties and community events.
• CRC Membership Annual membership to the Canberra Racing Club offering free entry to race days, minimum 10% discount on food and beverage purchases, dollar-for-dollar loading program, reciprocal privileges with major race clubs, and various member benefits.
• Colts & Fillies Club Youth membership program for members aged 18-29, offering access to the Canberra Racing Club with benefits tailored for younger members.
• John McGrath Auto Group Canberra Black Opal Stakes Day Canberra's flagship race meeting featuring the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes, the major ticketed event of the Canberra racing calendar.
• Hops & Hooves Festival Canberra's premier spring social event combining live thoroughbred racing with a curated craft beer and spirits festival, Fashions on the Field, premium food vendors, live music, and AFL Grand Final broadcast.
• Conference Packages Multipurpose conference and seminar hosting with versatile light-filled function rooms, complimentary parking, AV equipment, and catering packages with an in-house chef.
• Wedding Packages Wedding venue hire and celebration packages offering unique spaces including the Silks Room (capacity 250), Rich Reward Room, Winning Post Bar (capacity 500), Owners and Trainers Lounge (capacity 150), and Exhibition Pavilion (capacity 2,000), with views of the Majura, Brindabella and Black Mountains.
• CRC Daily Sectionals Subscription service providing daily racing sectionals and form information for Canberra Racing Club meetings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4,000 attendees at annual Hops & Hooves Festival
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• John McGrath Auto GroupflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerNaming sponsor of the John McGrath Auto Group Black Opal Stakes Day and major Canberra Racing Club race events. Provides automotive-related sponsorship and marketing support for flagship race meetings.
• TABcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial wagering partner of Thoroughbred Park and the Canberra Racing Club, providing betting services and race field information.
• Affinity Constructions AustraliaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConstruction company sponsor supporting Canberra Racing Club events and activities.
• Casino CanberraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCasino and entertainment venue sponsor of Thoroughbred Park events.
• LionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage company sponsor providing beer and beverage products for events.
• SHG LawyersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLegal services sponsor supporting Canberra Racing Club.
• Affinity ElectricalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerElectrical services sponsor of Thoroughbred Park.
• Hold Fast DistilleryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVendor at Hops & Hooves Festival - veteran-owned craft distillery from Braidwood providing gins, vodkas, whisky, and liqueurs. Partnership supports regional producers at major festival events.
• Canberra RaiderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal membership partnership providing CRC members with tickets to Raiders home games as part of membership benefits.
• Major Australian Race ClubscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal privileges with major race clubs across Australia, allowing members to access benefits at interstate racing venues.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rosehill Gardens (Australian Turf Club): Rosehill Gardens is another major Sydney racecourse operated by the Australian Turf Club. It is comparable to Thoroughbred Park as a metropolitan racecourse with memberships, hospitality packages, and event hire offerings.
• Doomben Racecourse (Racing Queensland): Doomben is a Brisbane metropolitan racecourse operated by Racing Queensland. Comparable to Thoroughbred Park as an Australian racing venue offering race day events, functions, and corporate hospitality.
• Moonee Valley Racing Club: MVRC operates Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne, hosting the Cox Plate and other major races. Comparable to Thoroughbred Park as a metropolitan Australian racing club running race day hospitality, memberships, and venue hire for functions.
• Flemington (Victoria Racing Club): Flemington is the home of the Melbourne Cup and is operated by the Victoria Racing Club Inc., a member-based not-for-profit racing club. It is directly comparable to Thoroughbred Park in operating model — incorporated racing club running race meetings, function venues, and membership programs in Australia.
• Royal Randwick (Australian Turf Club): Royal Randwick is one of Australia's premier horse racing venues operated by the Australian Turf Club, hosting flagship Group 1 races and large-scale race day hospitality. It is directly comparable to Thoroughbred Park as a metropolitan Australian racecourse with membership programs, function venues, and premium sponsorship.
• Eagle Farm (Racing Queensland): Eagle Farm is Brisbane's premier metropolitan racecourse operated by Racing Queensland. Comparable to Thoroughbred Park as a major Australian racing venue running race meetings, corporate hospitality, and event hire.
• Morphettville (South Australian Jockey Club): Morphettville Racecourse is operated by the South Australian Jockey Club in Adelaide, hosting metropolitan racing and offering function and event hire. Directly comparable to Thoroughbred Park as an Australian provincial racing club with a multi-purpose venue business.
• Ascot Racecourse (Perth Racing): Ascot Racecourse in Perth is operated by Perth Racing and hosts major races including the Railway Stakes. Comparable to Thoroughbred Park as a metropolitan Australian racing club hosting race days, hospitality, and venue hire.

Regional players

• Hotel Realm: Hotel Realm is a Canberra-based conferencing, wedding, and event venue competing with Thoroughbred Park for weddings, conferences, and corporate functions in the ACT region.
• National Convention Centre Canberra: The National Convention Centre is Canberra's primary conference and event venue, directly competing with Thoroughbred Park's functions and events centre for corporate and community event bookings in the local Canberra market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thoroughbredpk
• Facebookfacebook.com/thoroughbredpark
• Instagraminstagram.com/explore/locations/228258673
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thoroughbred-park

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Thoroughbred Park