Ray Oates bookmaker bag

Accessory

Bookmaking was in the blood

Bookmakers at horse races used to stand in the bookmakers' arena, taking bets from punters, using real money. Bookmakers each had their own bag to secure the punters' cash. This bag belonged to Ray Oates, a well-known bookmaker at the Kalgoorlie Racecourse from the 1930s, until his death in 1990. His father Eddie Oates was a well-known SP (starting price) bookmaker in the early 1900s at the Fimiston Hotel, near the famous Boulder Block Hotel. It seems Ray followed in his father's footsteps.

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Signpost Racing Museum

A passion for horse racing

This is the perfect place to research local horse racing history. The Museum began after the Palace Hotel was renovated and a diverse collection of racing items were uncovered. The collection includes...

Address:

Kalgoorlie Boulder Racing Club
14 Meldrum Avenue
Kalgoorlie WA 6430
Australia

Tel:

(08) 9021 2303

Email:

admin@kbrc.com.au

Open Hours

Mon to Fri 9am - 3.30pm

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Chronograph

Time keeping

This fully functioning chronograph was installed at the Kalgoorlie Race Track in 1903. The chronograph was wired up to various points on the race track and was triggered by the starting bell. Only two...

1905 Replica of Melbourne Cup

Blue blood

This is a replica of the 1905 Melbourne Cup won by the stallion Blue Spec, who was the first Western Australian horse to win a Melbourne Cup. He also won the Kalgoorlie, Perth and Moonee Valley Cups...