Rail: True

Rain: No Rain Last 24 Hours | 15mm Rain Last 7 Days

Irrigation: N/A

Weather and Track updated at 8.59am Wednesday 29  July 

GRAND NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF RACING INFORMATION

 

Friday, 31 July 2026
After work – Monster Meat Raffles night at the Racecourse Hotel. Followed by live music DND Trio.

 

Saturday, 1 August 2026
WINNING EDGE PRESENTATIONS WINTER CUP DAY
• Live music in the birdcage Page 28.
• Complimentary mulled wine in Club Grandstand foyer.
• After the races – Live music, at the Racecourse Hotel.

 

Sunday, 2 August 2026
GRAND NATIONAL RACING CHURCH SERVICE:
9:15 am. St Peters Church, Church Corner, 22 Main South Road.

 

Monday to Friday
RACECOURSE HOTEL GRAND NATIONAL FESTIVAL HAPPY HOUR PRICES 4PM TO 6PM EACH DAY

 

QUIZ NIGHT
6pm for 7pm Racecourse Hotel Grand National Quiz night – Great prizes. Happy Hour Prices.

 

Wednesday, 5 August 2026
BetaVet Trackwork BBQ.
POLYTRACK RACEDAY
• Live music in the birdcage Page 28.
• Hospitality NZ Function in the Balmerino.
• Complimentary mulled wine in Club Grandstand foyer.
• After the races – Live music, at the Racecourse Hotel.

 

Thursday, 6 August 2026
NRM and MCMILLAN FEEDS IN CONJUNCTION WITH SEAHORSE SUPPLEMENTS TRACKWORK BBQ:
7:30 am onwards, Trainers Hut, Riccarton Park Racecourse. All locals & visitors, members, sponsors, and punters welcome.

 

Friday, 7 August 2026
After work – Monster Meat Raffles night at the Racecourse Hotel. Live entertainment.
5pm to 7pm. Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase Function in the Carbine Bar presentation of limited-edition jackets and 150th mementos.

 

Saturday, 8 August 2025
RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE DAY:
• Live music in the birdcage, Zed & Andy.
• Winter Fashions in the Field. The Tea House. First heat at 12:00 noon.
• Complimentary mulled wine in Club Grandstand foyer.
• After the races – Live music, at the Racecourse Hotel.

 

RUNNING RAIL:
First Day; True position. (Last meeting Saturday 22 June, out 6 metres to 1000 then out 8 metres). Last time rail in true position Saturday 25 April 2026. Outside Rail in 1 metre (last meeting in 1 metre).

 

There is now a rail on the outside of the Course Proper. This sits on top of the outside irrigation system. It is double sided and serves as an inside running rail for the Steeplechase Course. There is a break prior to Cutts Brush so the field can approach that jump and before the Racecourse Hotel Brush which will enable the field to bypass that fence if necessary. The break will be marked by cones.

 

HI-VIZ VESTS: All riders are required to wear Hi-Viz Vests or jackets when riding trackwork at Riccarton Park. All people entering inside the Course Proper are also required to wear Hi-Viz Vests or jackets.

 

SAUNA USE
The following conditions have been agreed with the NZ Jockeys Association and apply to use of the Sauna at Riccarton Park.
• There MUST always be at least two (2) people in the Sauna/Jockeys Rooms.
• The sauna is NOT to be used by ONE PERSON in the facility on their own.
• All cars are to be parked out on the driveway NOT inside the ‘Arch Gate’.
• The Jockeys Room/Basement area must be locked when leaving. It is not to be left open under any circumstances.
• Lights and heaters are to be turned off.
• A water cooler is installed to provide drinking water.
• Jockeys using the facilities are responsible for cleaning and tidying the sauna, showers, and toilets after use.

 

PRIVATE SUITES:
A limited number of private suites remain available. Please ring Kym Berney on 03 336 0055.

 

ENTRY TO THE COURSE: Security will be in control of the entrance gates on the two Saturdays of the Meeting. Please ensure that you have your NZTR Licence pass or the correct entrance ticket to prevent embarrassment or difficulties at the gates.

 

LICENCE DISPLAY: To assist security ensuring that only authorised people are allowed onto the racecourse and into the raceday stalls area it is essential that all licence-holders and licensed staff have their licence and/or smart phone readily accessible. Security do not necessarily know licence holders by sight and having licences with you will prevent any unnecessary embarrassment in accessing the stalls area. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE YOUR NEW SEASON 2026/27 LICENCE.

 

OWNERS PRIVILEGES ALL THREE DAYS: Raceday tickets are provided by way of the barcode on the NZTR letter sent out by email prior to the meeting. Second day is free entry. Owners must check their emails for this letter and remember to bring a copy to gain entry. The letter can also be shown on a smart phone. Racebooks and Owners ribbons can be collected from the ‘Owners Box’ which is now situated at the Annex tote next to the Raceday Office. This is clearly signposted.

 

OWNERS PAVILLION: Owners are invited to join the Club and sponsors for a drink before their race in the LOVERACING ‘Owners Pavilion’ situated on the south side of the Parade Ring.

 

MOUNTING IN PARADE RING:
Group & Listed races plus Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Koral Steeplechase. Owners are invited to join Club representatives and the race sponsors in the Owners Pavilion to watch the mounting in the Parade Ring.

 

HORSE FLOAT PARKING: All horse floats are to use the containment area.
Trainers and horse float operators are advised that it is a requirement of the CJC H&S policy that all floats unload and load within the confines of the contained Float Park. Horses must not be unloaded or loaded anywhere other than within this area. Horse floats must enter the Racecourse from the Steadman Road gate.

 

RACEDAY STALLS: There are now 166 raceday tie-up stalls including the eight uncovered stalls.

 

HORSE CONTAINMENT – GATES CLOSED:
Trainers and horse-float operators are reminded that all gates to the stables on Racecourse and Yaldhurst Roads are to always remain closed. Please ensure that your owners, staff, and other contractors are aware of this requirement. This is a major safety issue as closed gates prevent horses escaping off the property onto the surrounding roads.

 

VISITORS STABLES CONGESTION: Trainers are asked to park horse floats in a manner that does not cause congestion in the walkway to the track. During track work people need to be observant that horses and being led and ridden to the track.

 

AL BASTI EQUIWORLD ‘BEST TURNED-OUT HORSE’ PRIZE
Al Basti Equiworld Dubai will be sponsoring cash prizes of $50 on Feature and Premier days and $25 on Industry days, for the strapper of the ‘Best Turned Out’ horse in each race run at Riccarton Park. A guest selector for the day will make the decision before each race with the prize being presented after horses go to the start. Having the horse in racebook order and the appearance of the strapper will also be considered as will the NZTR requirement for appropriate closed shoes