New Zealand
History
The first race conducted in Wellington was in September 1840. That race was held in what is now Taranaki Street and was won by "CALMAC TARTAR". It is interesting to note that our former offices in Wellington were probably not far from the site of that first race.
The first racehorse to land in New Zealand was "FIGARO", which arrived in 1839 from Sydney and this horse took part in what could be termed the first race meeting in October 1842 when it ran in and won a sweepstake over 1.75 miles on Petone Beach. The early settlers enjoyed racing, many of them coming from England and Ireland with a love of horses, and it is not surprising that racing clubs sprang up all over New Zealand.
Name of Racing Authority: New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Inc
Postal Address: PO Box 38 386, Wellington Mail Centre, New Zealand
Tel: (64) 4-576-6240 Fax: (64) 4-568-8866
E-mail: office@nzracing.co.nz
Website: www.nzracing.co.nz
Chairman: Mr Guy Sargent
Board Members:
Mrs Marion Stevenson, Mr Alistair Sutherland, Mr John Rattray, Mr Guy Sargent, Mr George Ritchie, Mr David Smith, Dr Murray Blue, Mr John Rennie, Mr Graeme Sanders, Mr Peter Hutt
Chief Executive: Mr Greg Purcell
GM Business Development: Mr Campbell Moncur
GM Communications: Mr Simon Cooper
Chief Stipendiary Steward: Mr Cameron George
Chief Racecourse Inspector: Mr John McKenzie
Racing Co-ordinator: Mr Craig Baker
Studbook & Registrations Manager: Mr Darren Jones
Projects Manager: Mr Chris Weder
Financial Controller: Miss Amy Zavros
Licensing Officer: Mr Matthew Barnsley
Contact for Overseas Liaison/Information: Mr Simon Cooper
Major Metropolitan Race Clubs:
Auckland Racing Club; Mr Chris Weaver, Chief Executive, P O Box 852, Auckland, Tel: (64) 9-524-4069, Fax: (64) 9-524-8680, Email: racing@ellerslie.co.nz
Wellington Racing Club; Mr David Jewell, Chief Executive, P O Box 47-024, Trentham, Tel: (64) 4-528-9611, Fax: (64) 4-528-4166, Email: wrc@trentham.co.nz
Canterbury Jockey Club; Mr Tim Mills, Chief Executive, P O Box 11-137, Sockburn, Christchurch, Tel: (64) 3-336-0000, Fax: (64) 3-342-6114, Email: tim@riccartonpark.co.nz
Principal Races:
| Name | Classification | Date | Prizemoney($NZ) | Racecourse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.N Z Derby | Group 1 | Early March | $700,000 | Ellerslie, Auckland |
| 2.Auckland Cup | Group 1 | Early March | $700,000 | Ellerslie, Auckland |
| 3.Wellington Cup | Group 1 | Mid January | $350,000 | Trentham, Wellington |
| 4.N Z Oaks | Group 1 | Mid March | $400,000 | Trentham, Wellington |
| 5.N Z Cup | Group 2 | Mid November | $220,000 | Riccarton, Christchurch |
| 6.2000 Guineas | Group 1 | Mid November | $325,000 | Riccarton, Christchurch |
| 7.1000 Guineas | Group 1 | Mid November | $325,000 | Riccarton, Christchurch |
| 8.Kelt Capital Stakes | Group 1 | Early October | $2,000,000 | Hastings, Hawke’s Bay |
| 9.Levin Classic | Group 1 | November | $240,000 | Otaki |
| 10.Mudgeway Stakes | Group 1 | Early September | $250,000 | Hastings, Hawke’s Bay |
| 11.Stoney Bridge Stakes | Group 1 | Mid September | $250,000 | Hastings, Hawke’s Bay |
Principal Festivals:
Name
Approx Date
Racecourse
1.
Auckland Cup Carnival
Mar
Ellerslie, Auckland
2.
Kelt Capital Carnival
Sep/Oct
Hastings, Hawke’s Bay
3.
Wellington Cup Carnival
Jan
Trentham, Wellington
4.
New Zealand Cup Carnival
Nov
Riccarton, Christchurch
5.
Great Northern Steeplechase
Sep
Ellerslie, Auckland
Contact for further details:
Racecourse
Contact Name
Tel
Fax
1.
Auckland Cup Carnival & Great Northern
Chris Weaver
(64) 9-524-4069
(64) 9-524-8680
racing@ellerslie.co.nz
2.
Wellington Cup Carnival
Logan Fenwick
(64) 4-528-9611
(64) 4-528-4166
info@trentham.co.nz
3.
New Zealand Cup Carnival
Tim Mills
(64) 3-342-8928
(64) 3-342-6114
enquiries@riccartonpark.co.nz
4.
Kelt Capital Carnival
John McGifford
(64) 6-873-4545
(64) 6-876-6488
info@hawkesbayracing.co.nz
Additional Information is also available via the home of ‘New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’ www.nzracing.co.nz