The Australian Turf Club (ATC) celebrated a triumphant return to racing at Royal Randwick following the soft launch of Royal Randwick’s spectacular Grandstand and grand opening of the Owners Pavilion and ‘Theatre of the Horse’, an outdoor tiered-amphitheatre on Saturday, 13 April on David Jones Australian Derby Day.

Attendees of last Saturday’s David Jones Australian Derby Day were one of the first to see the new look of Royal Randwick.

The impressive Grandstand showcased the completion of Phase 1 of this world class redevelopment; first by unveiling the first two levels of the Grandstand (Ground Floor and Level 1) as well as the Owners Pavilion and Theatre of the Horse.

With the August 2013 completion date quickly approaching, the Grandstand will be fully complete with three additional levels containing corporate suites, a multi-functional ballroom, Members’ and public dining as well as bars; repositioning the venue as best in its class.

The ATC Sales Team has been inundated throughout the redevelopment period with enquiries from both existing and potential clients who want to be among the first to experience the stunning new venue spaces available at Royal Randwick. Bookings for the venue are being taken from September 2013.

Many racing enthusiasts saw the potential of all the selected areas unveiled, showing that not only the racing industry will benefit from this redevelopment, but all manner of corporate, gala, outdoor and exhibition events, as stunning views of the Sydney skyline and the track, as well as state of art technology are all part and parcel of this exciting new venue.

With roughly 7,500 bottles of champagne consumed across the racecourse, close to 1,000 guests also experienced award-winning hospitality including a superb Table D’hote menu served on Dudson classic china from the Level One dining space.

“Aside from conducting 129 race-meetings a year, the ATC is committed to growing the Venues and Events business, becoming globally recognised in this space as well,” said general manager sales, commercial, Darwyn Jolly. “This is an exciting time for the Events industry with the grandstand, Owners Pavilion and Theatre of the Horse setting a new benchmark in the NSW entertainment and events’ landscape”.

In a bid to make life easy for patrons, the ATC has been working closely with NSW Government in their plans for a light rail extension to Randwick. The line will start in the CBD centre and extend through to Randwick. The estimated cost of this project is approximately $1.6 billion with work expected to commence in 2014.