The future of racing at Eagle Farm racecourse is under a cloud due to the construction of a trackside apartment tower which jockeys say is spooking horses on the home turn.
In unprecedented scenes on Saturday, jockeys walked off the track, after multiple group-one winning jockey and former Voice contestant, Robbie Dolan, came off his horse and broke his wrist.
Queensland Jockey’s Association claims there have been at least 15 incidents so far this year when horses have taken fright and shifted abruptly at the 600-metre mark upon seeing the large construction site of the 13-storey, $135 million Charlton House apartment block.
The view of the Charlton House construction site from Eagle Farm racetrack. Credit: Instagram: The Usher Group
“All these incidents are happening at exactly the same spot,” Queensland Jockey’s Association president Glen Prentice said.
What the horses see on the home turn at Eagle Farm.Credit: Glen Prentice, Queensland Jockey's Association
He said Brisbane Racing Club had erected mesh screens, but they had had little impact.
Crisis talks were held on Sunday where it was suggested a larger sight screen - similar to those used at the cricket - be erected at the track.
Charlton House, which is the third apartment tower in the trackside Ascot Green development at Eagle Farm, is expected to be finished in December.
“There hadn’t been any [issues] with the first two buildings … but no one realised that [this building] was right on that point, and didn’t realise how it would look aesthetically,” Prentice said.
Comment is being sought from the Brisbane Racing Club.