Club

Feilding J.C.

Horse racing has been part of Feilding's history from its very earliest days.
In 1871 Sir William Feilding arrived in New Zealand and together with Mr Arthur Halcombe purchased 106,000 acres of land for just 15 shillings an acre. They established the Manchester Block, as it was then known, with Mr Frank Lethbridge becoming one of the more substantial land owners.
Barely five years after the settlers arrived Frank Lethbridge had carved a racecourse out of the fertile land, which became known as Lethbridge's Run. Frank Lethbridge was the Feilding Jockey Club's first President and also served as the judge. In the early days there were three clubs racing on Lethbridge's Run. However in 1880 the Feilding Jockey Club took over the Hunt Racing Club and Steeplechase Club. Frank Lethbridge continued as President of the Feilding Jockey Club until 1911.
In 1890 the Feilding Jockey Club shifted from Lethbridge's Run to set-up a new racecourse, where the Club raced for just over 100 years until 1999 when the decision was made to sell the racecourse to the Manawatu District Council and transfer the Club's racing operations to Awapuni. The Feilding Jockey Club land is now part of Manfield Park.
Feilding Jockey Club's vision to realise their assets and invest the proceeds from the sale of the racecourse to underwrite the Club's racing activities at Awapuni has been hailed by industry leaders as one of the best decisions made by a New Zealand Racing Club in recent years.
In 1999 the Feilding Jockey Club had struggled to conduct three low-key midweek race meetings at their course. The Feilding Cup that year was run for just $8,000. Today the $50,000 Ricoh Feilding Gold Cup is a Listed Open Handicap race with the Club offering $170,000 prizemoney on this day, which is more than they paid out for their three meetings in the 1998/99 season.
Feilding currently runs three meetings at Awapuni, with the RACE Board allocating them the Manawatu Racing Clubs popular ANZAC day feature meeting, which has provided the Feilding Jockey Club with a second black type feature raceday. The Club is in a very strong financial position and is a major contributor to the RACE concept.

Entry to Awapuni Racecourse is free for all Feilding Jockey Club race meetings except for Feilding Gold Cup Day - $5 Adult, U16 Free.

Membership
The colour, atmosphere and excitement of a day at the races provides an entertainment experience unlike any other. There is no better way to be part of the action than to become a member at one of the Racing clubs that race at Awapuni. Join today and you and your guest will be able to come racing at Awapuni racemeeting's throughout the year. Membership at Awapuni can also entitle you to rights at Wellington Racing Club racemeetings.

Membership Options Include:

1. Race Premier membership $150
2. RACE (full) membership $100
3. Young Member (under 30) $75
4. Country Club Member & Guest $40
5. Country Club Single Member $30

The Awapuni Lounge situated on the first floor of the members stand is for our valued members only. Members will also have opportunity to reserve a table at a discount to advertised rates on those days that the Silks Lounge is available.

Hospitality packages are on offer at most meetings throughout the year. This is an opportunity to entertain guests, clients, staff or friends in style, with first class facilities and uninterrupted views of the course.

The packages will include:

• Buffet luncheon
• Cash bar or all-inclusive beverage package
• Complimentary tea and coffee
• Racebook per guest
• Private tote facilities
• MC to host the day (depending on day)

Patrons please note NO BYO ALCOHOL ALLOWED on Awapuni Racecourse.
 
Members and patrons need to be aware that Awapuni Racecourse as part of its obligation under the Sale of Liquor Act operates a total ban on BYO alcohol anywhere on the Awapuni racecourse grounds.
 
The policy was introduced after discussions with the New Zealand Police and local liquor licensing authorities. On-course patrons may still bring picnic hampers with food and non-alcoholic drinks on any day. All patrons and their possessions will be subject to searches before entering the racecourse. Patrons with prohibited items (alcohol) will be asked to dispose of the alcohol or have the items confiscated.
 
Patrons who refuse to participate in searches may be denied entry. Patrons found with BYO alcohol on the grounds will have the alcohol confiscated and may be evicted from the venue.