The Warrnambool Racing Club is steeped in history, most famously regarded for hosting one of Australia’s finest thoroughbred events, the internationally acclaimed ‘May Racing Carnival’.

In 2007 the Warrnambool Racing Club celebrated its 160 year anniversary. 2008 marks the Club’s 150 anniversary of racing at the current racecourse in Grafton Rd.  It must be stated that the Club is entrenched in the local community’s heritage, history and culture.

The Warrnambool Racing Club is committed to the development of the region and is directly responsible for generating over $23 million in revenue to the local economy. Around $12 million of this revenue is generated as a direct result of the May Racing Carnival. Horse racing drives 3.3% of the total economic activity of the Warrnambool region.  The Club is directly responsible for the highest percentage of racing related economic activity for any region within the State of Victoria.

The Club provides benefits to a broad range of entities within the Warrnambool and district communities. As a direct result of racing events; accommodation, hospitality, transport and retail operators experience some of their busiest periods for the year.  This includes Warrnambool's peak Summer and whale watching tourism/hospitality seasons.

In 2005, the May Racing Carnival was listed as a regional ‘Hallmark Event’ by the Victorian State Government. This listing is the only one of its kind for any regional race meeting in Australia. The Carnival is now aligned with key Victorian events such as the Australia Grand Prix, Bells Beach Rip Curl Pro and AFL Grand Final.