Clubs & Courses
Clubs that race at Matamata
Clubs & Courses IndexClub
Matamata RC
The Matamata Racing Club, located at the Matamata racecourse two kilometres south of the eastern Waikato township of Matamata, is a centre of racing and training excellence.
The Club hosts fourteen race meetings per season, including a Premier fixture in February and an October Feature raceday on their left-handed track.
The MRC also operates a busy and very successful training centre, with an average of more than 700 horses prepared on the course in any month of the year. In recent years the MRC has undertaken an extensive programme to construct four on-site stable barns, with 140 horses now accommodated there.
As well as Matamata's own schedule, the South Waikato Racing Club conducts its popular autumn race meeting at the Matamata course.
Membership: Annual subscription $45.00 includes reciprocal rights with Racing Te Aroha, Racing Rotorua, Racing Taupo and Racing Thames
Contact details
Open/close
Matamata RC
PO Box 22, Matamata 3440T: 07 888 8898
F: 07 888 6222
E: admin@matamataracingclub.co.nz
W: www.matamataracingclub.co.nz
Featured meeting
J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes Day – February
The club’s flagship event is the J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes, a $110,000 race for two-year-old fillies. With a Group 2 prestige rating, the event is the richest 2-year-old fillies race in NZ. The Champagne Lawn is a popular location on this raceday, however seating is limited and early bookings are essential as the function sells out quickly. The day features Fashion in the Field and Boot Party promotions.
Admission is free, which includes access to the Ascot (Members’) Stand. Children are catered for with free entertainment, a feature at both of the club’s Saturday racemeetings.
December - Matamata Christmas at the Races
Matamata Racing Club is galloping into the festive season. Enjoy a grand end-of-year celebration with work colleagues, friends and family at our iconic twilight meeting. Land yourself an easy trifecta by booking a hospitality package – you’ll be treated to festive food, refreshments, and thoroughbred action second to none.
Course
Matamata
Matamata racecourse stages racing on behalf of Matamata RC and South Waikato Race Club also stages its annual meeting there in March. Comprising 157 acres, it's one of New Zealand's largest, and most successful training centres, with over 600 horses trained on the course each day by a number of NZs leading trainers based at the course. The training facilities include an equine pool, 10 separate training tracks including the American "All-Weather Trackmaster" surface, the only one of its kind in New Zealand which is capable of accommodating up to 1000 horses per day. With two grandstands overlooking the racetrack, Matamata enjoys the picturesque backdrop of the Kaimai Ranges.
| Distance | Time | Horse | Date |
|---|
Contact details
Open/close
7555 Hinuera Road, RD 3
Matamata 3473T: 07 888 8898
F: 07 888 6222
E: admin@matamataracingclub.co.nz
W: matamataracingclub.co.nz
Course Info
Open/close
Admission/Facilities: Free at all meetings, which includes access for all racegoers to the Ascot (Members) Stand. Comfortable lounges are provided, with bar, betting and food outlets. Lounges are also available for private corporate hosting.
Hospitality: Matamata RC has a number of lounges catering for groups from 10 to 200. The most popular lounge is the Gazebo with excellent viewing and its own bar and betting facilities. Dining facilities are also available in the Epsom Lounge overlooking the track and birdcage. For further information, please contact the Club or visit https://matamataracingclub.co.nz/
Non racedays: The various lounges and the racecourse itself, are a popular venue for functions, large or small, with the added advantage of a highly recommended caterer, Two Tones Cafe & Catering
| Track Records Matamata Racing Club | ||||
| Dist | Horse | Date | Time | Wgt |
| 1100m | Sea Saint | 06.04.05 | 01:03.3 | 56 |
| 1200m | Captain Kurt | 25.02.06 | 01:08.4 | 56 |
| 1400m | Javelin | 16.02.91 | 01:20.8 | 56 |
| 1600m | Fire Commander | 16.02.91 | 01:33.1 | 54 |
| 2000m | Celtic Swing | 26.02.00 | 02:01.7 | 53 |
| Hurdle | ||||
| 2800m | Classic Tudor | 29.09.00 | 03:06.5 | 63.5 |
| Steeples | ||||
| 4000m | Henry’s Mate | 02.10.93 | 04:55.9 | 63 |
All meetings
Open/close| Date | Club | Meeting Name/Type |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 22 Jan 2025 | Matamata RC | Industry |
| Sat 15 Feb 2025 | Matamata RC | Feature |
| Sat 1 Mar 2025 | Matamata RC | Feature |
| Wed 12 Mar 2025 | South Waikato RC | Industry |
| Sun 23 Mar 2025 | Matamata RC | Industry |
| Thu 17 Apr 2025 | Matamata RC | Other |
| Wed 14 May 2025 | Matamata RC | Other |
| Sun 15 Jun 2025 | Matamata RC | Other |
Featured meeting
J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes Day – February
The club’s flagship event is the J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes, a $110,000 race for two-year-old fillies. With a Group 2 prestige rating, the event is the richest 2-year-old fillies race in NZ. The Champagne Lawn is a popular location on this raceday, however seating is limited and early bookings are essential as the function sells out quickly. The day features Fashion in the Field and Boot Party promotions.
December - Matamata Christmas at the Races
Matamata Racing Club is galloping into the festive season. Enjoy a grand end-of-year celebration with work colleagues, friends and family at our iconic twilight meeting. Land yourself an easy trifecta by booking a hospitality package – you’ll be treated to festive food, refreshments, and thoroughbred action second to none.