Member Feature: Grahame Ford
Congratulations to long-time Newcastle Jockey Club Member Grahame Ford, who recently won our Early Member Renewals Competition, taking home the Luxury Crystalbrook Kingsley stay and Race Day Chevals Dining experience valued at $1,100 for two people.
With a connection to Newcastle Racecourse spanning more than 35 years, Grahame has enjoyed countless race days, family traditions and memorable experiences as a member. We caught up with Grahame to learn more about his journey with Newcastle Jockey Club.
What inspired you to become a member of the newcastle jockey club, and how long have you been a member?
My association with the Newcastle Jockey Club goes back over 35 years when my wife and I attended our first race meeting at Newcastle on the invitation of my father-in-law, who was a keen punter.
From that beginning, we attended many race meetings at Newcastle. One of our favourite days was the Boxing Day races. It started with my sons, a few mates and me enjoying the day in the general admission area. We really enjoyed the day, and I decided to become a member so we could enjoy the member benefits with our family and friends.
what is your favourite thing about being an njc member, and what keeps you coming back to Newcastle racecourse?
Being able to use the facilities provided to Members is one of the things I enjoy most.
My wife and I still enjoy attending race meetings and sometimes book a couple of nights’ accommodation in town to attend a midweek race meeting. We really enjoy this as a special treat.
do you have a favourite race day or event on the newcastle racecourse calendar?
I enjoy all race days. However, Boxing Day would have to be my favourite because we’ve shared it with friends and family over many years. It became an annual event that we all looked forward to attending and it created a lot of great memories.
can you share a memorable experience you’ve had as an njc member over the years?
For many years I was on the board of a Lake Macquarie licensed club that sponsored a race during a charity race day.
On the day, my wife and I represented the club, and I was asked to make a presentation to the winning horse owners, have photos taken with them and share in their excitement. That was a very special experience.
what are you most looking forward to as an njc member in the next 12 months?
I’m looking forward to watching the ongoing developments.
I’ve been very impressed over the years with how the Newcastle Jockey Club has improved the racetrack and facilities. It demonstrates to me that the management team and Board are heading in the right direction and I’m interested to see what comes next.
how would you describe the newcastle jockey club membership experience to someone considering joining?
I’ve always believed being an NJC member is good value and a great day out to create memories.
In fact, when we were looking for something different as a Christmas present for our grandson, we purchased an NJC membership and guest cards for him. He gets a lot of use out of it and the feedback from his mates was that it was a great present.
congratulations & thank you
Congratulations again to Grahame on winning our Early Member Renewals Competition. We hope you enjoy your stay at Crystalbrook Kingsley and your Chevals Dining Experience.
Thank you for sharing your story and for being a valued Member of the Newcastle Jockey Club for more than 35 years. Your story is a wonderful reminder that Newcastle Jockey Club membership is about much more than a day at the races. It’s about creating traditions, building connections and making memories that last a lifetime.