In March of 1938, a letter and plan was received by the Northern Racing Board from the secretary of the Mt Garnet Race Club (Mr. Stewart), who wrote advising the board that the place of racing at that centre had been removed to a new ground to be known as Newman Park. The plan was approved. Dates were also approved for the Annual for 24th and 25th June 1938. A tract of suitable land was donated by
Len Lucey, officially identified as Racecourse and Recreation Reserve No. 657, now known as the L. Lucey Memorial Park. Len was apparently a driving force behind getting the new track up and running and the name was changed in 1965 after his death in 1963. At the time of the first meeting, Jim Stewart was President, Len was treasurer and Jim Carby was secretary. The club is now called Mt Garnet Amateur Turf Club. The Race Course is situated almost 200 metres from the Kennedy Highway, just under five kilometres south west of Mt Garnet and accessible at all times and under all weather conditions. The race track has a perimeter of one mile and is completely cleared and fenced. Stabling for 74 horses was provided in the very first instance in an “L” shaped design of approx 120 m by 40 m, which is there to this day, having been repaired or replaced after cyclone damage and general wear and tear. Originally, the races were started with a flag start, then retractable tape. More modern features such as mobile starting stalls and photo finishing are now provided. A nine-hole Golf Course has been built within the race track area and a Club House was built in the In the 1970s, just outside the saddling paddock. The large rodeo grounds are also used for the Horse sports annual meeting, first held in the early 1970s. Public Camping space is available behind the race stalls and the rodeo yards. Public toilets and showers are available. Camping / Entry fees apply.
