CR1 Ford LTD
Avondale Racecourse & Jockey Club
Ash St | Avondale
Auckland | New Zealand
My grandfather (Pa) spent many years here making bets (or at Grey Lynn TAB), often winning big! He purchased three cars in the 1980's from winnings, a Toyota Corolla DX stationwagon for him, a Holden Torana for his grandson and for my oldest brother a Holden Sunbird! The Corolla was sadly written off during Pa's first driving lesson, he crashed it into a tree I believe. My mum often says when he passed away in August 1988, he took the races with him.
Over the years Avondale has seen a decline in many ways, especially at the racecourse. It is like a piece of Auckland that time has left in place, it is sad as this was once a thriving place. My mum said it was either the races, movies or the beach that is how Aucklanders spent their leisure time. Avondale Racecourse is not dead at all, the races continue and the Avondale Market but it has seen better days.
I for one love how it hasn't changed much, my memories of the place are very distant but mum tells me I was pushed around here in a pram often during one of my Pa's regular race day visits. He spent time at Alexandra Park and Ellerslie Racecourse, but felt most at home in Avondala as he called it. Pa got his whole church involved in the races, and almost anyone that would listen. He had dreams of winning horses, then would make phone calls the following morning to friends an say which horse will win! Often he was dead on the money!
Pa also followed the races around the country, traveling south by train to other tracks, sometimes with mum or fellow churchgoers. Pa always dressed smart, tailored suits and hat often with a Colonel Sanders (KFC) style tie or a velvet bungee-cord bow tie. He even had a gun, a 44 magnum that I am certain he carried with him.. it never had bullets in it but he liked to show it off :) His gun is still with us as is his hat. Mum says he is still remembered and talked of in church conversations to this day!
My dad (who Pa introduced to the races) said it was more the working mans racecourse, he spent many nights in the various bars that once were a happening place here. Mum tells me of the special ARA buses that would take you directly to the racecourse and back to the city, I remember seeing MAN SL200's with 'Races' on the blinds now to think of it!
Some of my more recent memories are of purchasing a heater at the Avondale Markets years ago. It is sad to see the neglect and decline but I love it the way it is!
In memory of my Pa 1914 - 1988
Info | www.ajc.co.nz/history.php
Avondale Racecourse & Jockey Club
Ash St | Avondale
Auckland | New Zealand
My grandfather (Pa) spent many years here making bets (or at Grey Lynn TAB), often winning big! He purchased three cars in the 1980's from winnings, a Toyota Corolla DX stationwagon for him, a Holden Torana for his grandson and for my oldest brother a Holden Sunbird! The Corolla was sadly written off during Pa's first driving lesson, he crashed it into a tree I believe. My mum often says when he passed away in August 1988, he took the races with him.
Over the years Avondale has seen a decline in many ways, especially at the racecourse. It is like a piece of Auckland that time has left in place, it is sad as this was once a thriving place. My mum said it was either the races, movies or the beach that is how Aucklanders spent their leisure time. Avondale Racecourse is not dead at all, the races continue and the Avondale Market but it has seen better days.
I for one love how it hasn't changed much, my memories of the place are very distant but mum tells me I was pushed around here in a pram often during one of my Pa's regular race day visits. He spent time at Alexandra Park and Ellerslie Racecourse, but felt most at home in Avondala as he called it. Pa got his whole church involved in the races, and almost anyone that would listen. He had dreams of winning horses, then would make phone calls the following morning to friends an say which horse will win! Often he was dead on the money!
Pa also followed the races around the country, traveling south by train to other tracks, sometimes with mum or fellow churchgoers. Pa always dressed smart, tailored suits and hat often with a Colonel Sanders (KFC) style tie or a velvet bungee-cord bow tie. He even had a gun, a 44 magnum that I am certain he carried with him.. it never had bullets in it but he liked to show it off :) His gun is still with us as is his hat. Mum says he is still remembered and talked of in church conversations to this day!
My dad (who Pa introduced to the races) said it was more the working mans racecourse, he spent many nights in the various bars that once were a happening place here. Mum tells me of the special ARA buses that would take you directly to the racecourse and back to the city, I remember seeing MAN SL200's with 'Races' on the blinds now to think of it!
Some of my more recent memories are of purchasing a heater at the Avondale Markets years ago. It is sad to see the neglect and decline but I love it the way it is!
In memory of my Pa 1914 - 1988
Info | www.ajc.co.nz/history.php