Moonee Valley Racecourse

Moonee Valley Racecourse, currently marketed as The Valley, is a horse-racing track in Moonee Ponds, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Moonee Valley Racecourse

Aerial view of Moonee Valley Racecourse, looking west
Location	Moonee Ponds, Victoria
Owned by	Moonee Valley Racing Club
Date opened	1883; 142 years ago (1883)
Screened on	Seven Network Sky Racing
Notable races	Cox Plate

History

Moonee Valley Racecourse was established in 1883 by William Samuel (W.S.) Cox, who purchased a farm the previous year belonging to John F. Feehan for the purpose of establishing a racetrack. Being entirely freehold land owned by a private club, this separates Moonee Valley from other Melbourne racecourses such as Caulfield and Flemington.^[1] Expansion of the racecourse facilities occurred in the 1960s, funded by compensation for land acquired for the construction of the adjacent Tullamarine Freeway. In the 1970s harness racing moved to the Valley, when night trotting relocated from the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds.^[1]