Welcome to the Levin Racing Club

The heart of racing and equine activity in the Horowhenua District.

First established in the early 1900’s, and represented by a string of preceding clubs, the Levin Racing Club is currently the sole Horowhenua based racing club still running race meetings. From humble beginnings, the Club has survived two World Wars, perpetual industry consolidation and rationalisation pressures, and internal political turmoil, to emerge as one of the richest, most innovative, and forward thinking racing clubs in New Zealand today.

Host to some memorable moments and stars in New Zealand sport, many locals who were around at the time will recall with fondness the days when Bruce McLaren raced around the motor circuit inside the Levin Racecourse, or when Bonecrusher sprinted down the track, to take out the Bayer Classic, the second-richest race in Australasia at the time.

Today, the Levin Racecourse remains a training only venue for a number of teams and trainers, who have collectively enjoyed triumphs in the New Zealand Cup, Guineas, and Oaks, as well as the Doomben Cup, Wellington Cup, New Zealand Cup, Avondale Cup, and the Captain Cook Stakes, to name a few. Other previously Levin based horses and trainers have also tasted success at Group 1 level in New Zealand and Australia, and many jockeys who began their racing life in Levin have achieved top level triumphs at the highest level, from the Melbourne Cup, to the New Zealand Derby.

The Levin Racecourse is also host to the Levin Jumpouts, which are run regularly, and are an essential educational tool for horses in preparation for racing action. For more information about the Levin Jumpouts, check out the dedicated page here, or have a look at this recent article highlighting their value to the wider racing industry, available here.

Since 1990, the Levin Racing Club has run its race meetings at the Otaki Racecourse. We currently run three race meetings. One in July, featuring the Ryder Stakes, the last black type meeting of the racing season, a November meeting, previously the home of the Levin Classic, and now host to the Group 3 Wellington Stakes, and a popular December meeting, in the week before Christmas.

From international business leaders and top ranking politicians, to young families, work functions, and social dos, the Levin Racing Club welcomes all on course. We look forward to seeing you sometime soon too.

Next Raceday

Next Meeting: Ryder Stakes Day, Saturday, July 26, at the historic Otaki-Maori Racecourse

Featuring the $80,000 Listed Ryder Stakes for two year olds.

Hospitality packages are available. For enquiries, contact Lesley Haigh - Event Management on 027 624 7267, or by emailing eventslevinracingclub@gmail.com.

Jumpouts

The Levin Jumpouts are managed by the Levin Track Operating Charitable Trust, and regularly run at the Levin Racecourse. They are a popular tool for trainers, either as an educational device for younger horses, or as a conditioning aide. They are also a useful insight for punters in evaluating the form of untested young horses and seasoned runners.

The Levin Jumpouts are well attended, and are run throughout the year. Many winter Jumpouts consistently see over 150 horses entered and contesting, and whilst the Levin Racecourse hasn’t hosted a race meeting since 1990, trainers still heavily rely on one of the most consistent and reliable track surfaces in the Central Districts. Additionally, they provide valuable experience for young riders starting out in the industry.

The Levin Jumpouts are run to a high and professional standard, with barrier certificates issued and industry recognised, with professional barrier staff, ambulance staff, veterinarians, and the Horse Ambulance present.

The Levin Jumpouts are open for industry participants, owners, or any other interested race goer, to attend and watch. Food and cold drinks are available in the Secretary’s Office beside the Birdcage, with free tea and coffee available. A programme of the fields are also available, and results are published on both this website, and by NZTR.

All enquiries are welcome. For Jumpout queries and nominations, contact Leanne Elliot at levinjumpouts@gmail.com or on 0275544073

For greater context around the crucial role the Levin Jumpouts play, check out the latest article in the Horowhenua Star here.

History