One of the main attractions in New Zealand is the different racecourses found all over the country. With more than 50 racecourses in its entirety, you will definitely have a choice once you visit the place. Planning a trip to this country will then entitle you to a lot of great horse racing fun. Just don’t forget to use New Zealand bus hire to help you get to these racecourses easily.
Arawa Park Racecourse
Arawa Park Racecourse is the home to two of the most prestigious Group 3 events in the country, the Lion Red Plate, and the Trust Rotorua Challenge Plate. Just for $65 per person, all of you race lovers can enjoy the 300 Club whilst relaxing in a prime lounge. The fee includes food and refreshments and also comes with spot prizes. Getting inside the Arawa Park Recourse is free of charge and entitles you to an access to the Members’ stand. It has bar and betting facilities, aside from excellent lounges that can be used for corporate and race meetings. You can tag your children along if you happen to visit the racecourse on a Saturday.
Cambridge Racecourse
The Cambridge Racecourse plays host to three of the Cambridge Jockey Club races that are held annually during the months of April which is also known as the Premier Race Day with the other two held during the months of June and November. This racecourse is fully-irrigated and has tracks for both right and left handed racers. It also includes a separate spot for steeplechasing and hurdling. Take note though that the track is open only from the 1st day of March to the 31st of October every year.
Cromwell Racecourse
Run and operated by Otago Racing Club, Cromwell Racecourse had a tough time in its history of existence. In the 1980s, when the Cromwell Jockey Club closed, the racecourse was also bound to close. But with the help of the Otago Racing Club and that of the Central Lakes Equestrian Club, life for the racecourse was revived thus opening the course to racing once again. It has now become a popular choice for many racegoers looking for crowd participation in between horse races
Ellerslie Racecourse
Ellerslie Racecourse is one of the most popular racecourses in New Zealand because it has attracted a lot of racegoers with its vast greens filled with trees, gardens, and a great ground for racing. It is also famous for hosting steeplechases. Whilst it is opened to the public during race days, it can also be turned into an Event grounds during non-race days. The racecourse is the home to the Auckland Cup which is a popular thoroughbred racing event in New Zealand. During this three-day carnival, you will get to see the finest trainers and jockeys together with their horses competing against each other to get the top prize during the SKYCITY Auckland Cup and the Mercedes Derby.
Foxton Racecourse
What makes the Foxton Racecourse a top racecourse in the whole of New Zealand is its picturesque backdrop which also makes it a perfect picnic ground during non-race days. Amongst the facilities found in the racecourse are free parking areas, a bar and food counter plus a glass-fronted area where you can sit down and relax whilst viewing the race. The grandstand is also covered to give you a better view of the entire race track as well as the birdcage. Some of the most popular events held here are the Castletown Stakes (held in honour of the Queen’s birthday) and the Foxton Cup. The racecourse is likewise ideal for horse training.
Gore Racecourse
Otherwise known as the Wyndham Racecourse, the Gore Racecourse became popular not just to race lovers but to fishing fans as well. While races are out from the months of October to April of the following year, the racecourse becomes a haven for those wanting to catch the famous wily brown trout in the Mataura River. It is also a great spot for those wanting to spend a weekend with families and friends as it hosts the Gold Guitar Awards. It plays host to the Gallop South Festival as well as other three major races all year round.
Matamata Racecourse
Matamata Racecourse is used by the South Waikato Race Club as well as the Racing Matamata Club for their annual meetings held every March. It is comprised of a vast 157 acres of land which is notably the largest in the whole of the country. To date, it is the most successful training ground for horses and in fact, more than 600 horses train in the track every single day. It comes with an equine pool as well as a total of 10 training tracks allowing it to accommodate up to as much as a thousand horses every day. From the racecourse, you can also catch a glimpse of the famous Kaimai Ranges. It plays host to the Duke of Bedford Matamata Breeders’ stakes as well as other Group 2 racing events made for two-year old fillies.
Omoto Racecourse
The Omoto Racecourse is like home to the Greymouth Jockey Club which owns and operates the tracks of this famous racecourse. Every year, a two-day meeting is held by the club. Add to that, members join the race held at Omoto Racecourse every January of each year. Race lovers will definitely love the racecourse not just for each lush green landscape but also for the country setting and good hospitality. It features other races including the Monteiths Brewing Company Greymouth Cup.
Riccarton Park Racecourse
Located just about a few minutes away from the International Airport and City Centre of Christchurch, the Riccarton Park Racecourse is a great venue for racing fans looking for the best country setting that has elegant and modern facilities in it. It plays host to a week of the best in racing for New Zealand that features Listed and 9 Group races, also known as the New Zealand Cup Week. This race becomes the place where the best 3-year old horses meet and enjoy the race grounds while battling things up for the coveted prize money.