The Western Australian Turf Club, now operating as Perth Racing, was formed in October 1852 and held its first meeting in April 1853.
Perth Racing, which manages two tracks - Ascot Racecourse and Belmont Park - is a club that never sleeps. As Western Australia's only metropolitan club, Perth Racing hosts a busy 130 meetings per season currently, as well as non-raceday events.
Ascot Racecourse is more than just a race track; it's also a training facility. More than 500 horses are put through their preliminary paces on the Ascot Racecourse gallops during a typical week and the venue has played an important role in the development of several champions, including two-time WS Cox Plate winner Northerly, the Fighting Tiger of whom there is an imposing statue next to the venue's Flametree Lawn. Belmont Park is located within a torpedo punt of the new Optus Stadium.
Perth Racing's head office, Lee-Steere House, is located opposite Ascot Racecourse. The Grandstand Road premises honour the contribution of the Lee-Steere family. Sir Ernest Augustus Lee-Steere was Chairman of the Western Australian Turf Club from 1919 to 1940 and Sir Ernest Lee-Steere was Chairman of the Western Australian Turf Club from 1963 to 1984. For seven years, Sir Ernest Lee-Steere combined being Chairman of the Western Australian Turf Club with holding the equally prestigious office of the Lord Mayor of Perth and it was on his watch that the racing organisation re-laid the Belmont Park surface, transforming it into one of the world's best wet-weather tracks.