Goulburn has a long association with horse racing with records indicating racing began in 1838 near the current Gordon Hotel. In more recent times, preparation for a new track for thoroughbred racing was conceived in 1989, and in 1999 Goulburn and District Racing Club opened their new Goulburn race track on Racecourse Drive off Taralga Road. Harness racing is also evident, with the Goulburn Harness Racing Club at Goulburn Paceway resuming racing in 2008, after an absence of 21 years.