Galloping season is here
Tis the season for horse racing in the region. It’s time to dust off your frocks and head out to the track to witness the popular sport.
The Glenorchy Races are the next big event on the sport’s calendar and have been running since 1962. It’s always held on the first Saturday of the year and last year about 2,500 people attended. Bruce Douglas has been heavily involved in the races since 1979 when a barge used to travel around the lake to pick up horses. He remembers one year having 25 horses on the barge.
“That hasn’t happened for, probably, over 20 years – other than that, the races are still pretty much the same,” Douglas says. “We never know how many horses we’re going to have, but there’s a lot of local horses now, because there’s two horse trekking stables in Glenorchy – one of them in particular takes horses every year.”
The relaxed day is a lot of fun and relatively light-hearted. Punters can camp overnight and make the most of the live music and good vibes on offer, allowing them to enjoy a few drinks, or can head home at the end of the day. In addition to enjoying the races, there’s an equaliser betting system set up, which works kind of like a raffle, where you’re randomly assigned a horse to back. Run by the local rugby club, all proceeds go to back into the local community.
“It’s the major fundraising event for the community. The money has been used over the years for all sorts of projects in Glenorchy – we’ve given money to the swimming pool multiple times, the church, the museum, the school – just all sorts of things.”
Anyone can enter a horse, although traditionally there is a locals-only race, by simply showing up on the day. A number is painted on each of the horses with spray paint and there are several options for jockeys to partake in including a relay race, quarter mile sprint and trotting cup.
The Glenorchy Races will take place on Saturday, 4 January, this year and is set to be another fantastic year, raising funds for the local community. While there’s not a lot of information to be found online, you can scan the QR code below for more info. Otherwise, just head over on Saturday morning, the first race will be around 11am – remember it’s first in best dressed. Bring cash for entry and the equaliser, and if you’re planning on camping, all your gear.
www.glenorchycommunity.nz/index.php/events/annual-events/show/92/glenorchy-races/
