Racing Organisations
Whangarei Racing Club conducts thoroughbred horse racing at its Ruakaka racecourse under licences provided by NZ Thoroughbred Racing and the NZ Racing Board. These two authorities determine the conditions and parameters by which each race meeting must be conducted.
On the raceday, the racing is controlled by their Racing Integrity Unit stipendiary stewards. The Club is responsible for the servicing of the venue and event. The NZ Racing Board provides network access for the Club’s tote operations to bet with the NZRB’s TAB. The NZ Racing Board television unit broadcasts the racing on its Trackside television and radio networks, including through Australia and other countries via Sky Racing.
Thoroughbred Racing
Thoroughbred races are the most common type of horse races in New Zealand. This is where you see jockeys ride a horse around the track. Each thoroughbred race generally sees male and female horses competing against each other.
Thoroughbred racing was the first regulated sport in the UK back in the 18th century with the creation of the Jockey Club. The first General Stud Book was documented in 1791 and used as a template for every country. In this way every thoroughbred racing in NZ can be traced back through many generations to their foundations in the UK.
The New Zealand thoroughbred industry is one of the most successful in the world. In 2010-11, the industry produced over 4000 foals and exported 1600 horses at an estimated value of $150 million.
The history of thoroughbred breeding in New Zealand goes back to the middle of the nineteenth century when people such as Henry Redwood, "father of the New Zealand turf", bred, raced and imported thoroughbreds and began the proud Kiwi tradition of raiding Australia's major races.
In New Zealand, flat thoroughbred races can vary in length between 800 metres and 3210 metres. Thoroughbred jumping races can be up to 6400 metres in distance.
Jockeys are top-level athletes. They need to monitor their weight; they usually sit between 49 – 55kgs. There are horse carrying weight limits that are set by racing authorities. Jockeys need to make sure they aren’t over or under these limits. If they are too light, the jockeys put lead bags in the saddle to make up the weight.
Racing colours: You may notice that jockeys wear particular colours (silks). The colours and patterns they wear usually represent the owner or trainer who has employed them.
Jockey apprenticeship school: To become a jockey in New Zealand, you need to go through a lot of training as an apprentice jockey. The NZ Racing website tells you more about a career as a jockey.