A $495,000 equine pool was unveiled at the Gawler and Barossa Jockey Club on Friday, becoming only the second training facility of its kind in the state.

Measuring 60m long, 3m wide and 3m deep, the pool was the first infrastructure project to be completed under the State Government’s $24 million racing industry stimulus package, and was officially opened by racing minister Corey Wingard less than 12 months after funding was first announced.
Not only does the pool give local trainers a competitive edge, but it’s also tipped to be a financial winner for the club, attracting additional trainers to the region and allowing participants from other equine fields to use it.
Mr Wingard said the project was further evidence of the State Government’s commitment to supporting the racing industry.
“When I first announced this funding package I made it clear we were looking at ways to secure the state’s economic future by investing in industries that grow the economy, support local jobs and provide substantial benefits to the local community,” Mr Wingard said.
“Racing is an important contributor to our state’s economy, not only in the major centres, but also across regional towns and communities.”
Gawler and Barossa Jockey Club CEO Shane Collins said, in addition to aiding local thoroughbred racehorse trainers, the pool will give the club an extra income source and help ensure its sustainability.
“We have a very strong harness racing community in Gawler as well as plenty of equestrian participants nearby and they will all get the chance to use the pool,” Mr Collins said.
“For the trainers, the key thing is we need to help their business grow. Currently, there are lots of trainers who don’t have this type of facility, so if a horse has sore legs or bad knees, they have to get rid of it.
“Now they have the ability to swim that horse, get some weight off its legs and make it competitive again, and having extra options is always a good thing.”
Mr Collins also spoke about the possibility of interstate trainers being able to use Gawler as a “satellite” base as the club continues to upgrade its facilities, with a new stabling block next in the pipeline.
“What we open ourselves up to now is a lot of interstate trainers use Morphetville as a base, where they’ll race here on the weekend,” he said.
“Now we’ll be able to provide the opportunity for them to set up a bit of a satellite-type stable here where they can leave their horses in Gawler, train them from here, and if they’re good enough, they can go to Melbourne, or back home.
“So, for us, providing opportunities for horses to come to South Australia to race from interstate is only a good thing when we look at the club now and where it’s headed.”
Work on the $216,000 on-course stabling block is expected to start later in the year.