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For over 150 years, the preeminent Eagle Farm Racecourse has been the beating heart of the local area. But it hasn’t always been home to horse racing – here, we explore its vibrant past as it transforms for the future. In its earliest days, the area now known as Eagle Farm was a meeting place for the indigenous Turrbal clan, the original owners and custodians of present-day Brisbane. As settlers arrived, the fertile ground was chosen as the site for a farm; this, plus the regular appearance of eagles circling the area, led to its current name. In 1855, pastoralist James Sutherland purchased a large portion of land that included Ascot and its surrounds – his home, Windermere, still stands today. Source: ascotgreen.mirvac.com/news/news-and-events/News/the-secre...

For many years camel breeders and owners have noted that some Australian camels can go quite fast. Noel Fullerton has trained and selected some who have reached quite good speeds over 5 km. Others, including Paddy McHugh and Paul Hansen believe that the wild camels contain the genetic diversity to produce internationally competitive animals. The popularity of camel racing has been steadily growing. Camel races held in Albury in April 1996 attracted a crowd of over 3,000 people. Staged again at the same venue in 1997, over 10,000 people attended indicating the rising popularity of the sport. Since then, a circuit of races has emerged with growing prize money on professional tracks. Major commercial sponsors are becoming involved and the Government of the UAE has used the racing circuit as part of its cultural and goodwill program. Details are outlined in Table 2 The Alice Springs race meeting remains the most widely publicized event but it continues as a charity fundraiser. A significant event of the 1998 calendar, was the staging of camel races at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Sunday, August 23, 1998. With over 20,000 people to witness the spectacle it was reported as the 3rd largest crowd to attend a metropolitan track in 1998. Source: Australian Camel Racing Assessing International Competitiveness A report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation by George R Wilson October 1999 www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/99...

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