The days are longer, the weather warmer and the racing better than ever! With over 70 racedays throughout New Zealand this summer, there’s a day for all.

For the work groups

What better way to celebrate a somewhat crazy year than with a day at the races! Close the office early and join Wellington Racing Club at their Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes Day, 5 December. Treat the team to a festive buffet in the parade lounge or pack the picnic blankets and umbrellas (providing the Welly wind is playing its part!) and unwind on the general admission lawn. 

For the families

There’s plenty of opportunities to introduce the next gen to racing this summer! Pack up a picnic and kick back in the infield family zone at Ellerslie’s SkyCity Boxing Day Races, take advantage of the free children’s entertainment and entry at Ellerslie’s SkyCity New Year’s Day Races or lock in Wellington Racing Club’s Family Day, 23 January. At all three events there will be a circus of children’s activities to keep the junior members entertained, leaving you to enjoy the great racing on offer.

For the party seekers

It’s hard to beat a balmy summer evening on-course and the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Million at Ellerslie, 26 December provides just that! With million-dollar racing and an atmosphere to match, the track truly buzzes from the get-go. Wellingtonians; NZCIS Wellington Cup Day, 30 January is the place for you! Think live music, fabulous hospo and entertainment galore - there really is no party like it!

For the racing enthusiasts

The big guns come out to play in the summer months and expect this year to be no different! With six black type races, SkyCity New Year’s Day Races at Ellerslie is hard to beat when it comes to quality racing. Group 1 Glory Day at Trentham Racecourse, 16 December will see the rockets of our sport battle it out in the Group 1 Telegraph while Legends Day at Te Rapa, 13 February will see the running of New Zealand’s richest Weight For Age race – the Herbie Dyke Stakes.

See, something for everyone! Head to loveracing.nz/summer and find a raceday (or two!) near you.