The Wanganui Jockey Club will make history over the coming week, with New Zealand’s oldest racing Club set to celebrate its 175th anniversary.
The Club will mark the occasion over two racedays in the coming week, with Christmas At The Races this Saturday 25 November, culminating in the Cup Day Christmas At The Races – 175th Anniversary the following Saturday 2 December.
“It is a privilege to be the first past the post in that regard (175th Anniversary). It is something we are proud of as a Club and a community,” Wanganui Jockey Club Operations Manager Bret Field said.
“I am really excited about it and thrilled that we have got two back-to-back racedays to celebrate it.”
Wanganui racecourse has taken many forms over its 175-year existence and Field is proud to be at the helm of the Club as they get set to mark their proud history.
“We have gone from a military base to a racing Club and a very popular function centre,” he said.
“It has got iconic status here in Wanganui being in the heart of the city whereas a lot of clubs aren’t well positioned in their cities.
“There is a lot of history here, not only the Club but all the organisations and stakeholders involved with us. They will come out big time to support this – we have sold out all our hospitality tickets for both events early on in the piece.”
Initially set to hold just the one meeting on 2 December, the Club welcomed the challenge of holding back-to-back Saturday meetings when the Rangitikei Racing Club were in search of a venue following track remedial work at Awapuni.
“This (Saturday) is a meeting we picked up off Rangitikei, so we are hosting their committee and sponsors tomorrow. We were happy to put our hand up and for it to be part of our celebrations,” Field said.
“We have got the Wanganui brass band coming tomorrow, so hopefully it isn’t raining.”
Celebrations will kick up a notch the following Saturday, with the Cup Day meeting taking on a vintage feel.
“Come Cup Day we have got all sorts of activities planned,” Field said.
“We are having a time parade, which will include transportation and equine pursuits over that time. We have got from pony club members to adult riding club, ex-equestrian Olympians and Clydesdales. Then we move to vehicles – we have got the vintage car club involved and even a Harley Davidson hearse coming.
“We are also holding the very popular mascot race and we have got a massive field for that, so that is going to be good fun.
“We are featuring the Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup and for the first time we have got The O’Learys Filles Stakes on that card as well, which is a Listed race for $80,000.”
Field is looking forward to celebrating the Club’s significant milestone and said it is promising to be a memorable occasion for the local community.
“We are excited about this event and long may the Club continue,” he said.
“We are punching above our weight and that is something that everyone always says about our Club. We are looking forward to showing the local community a good time as well as travelling owners.”
For ticketing information, visit: wjc.co.nz/events
