Home of thoroughbred racing in the Waikato, WTR brings together raceday energy, unforgettable events and community experiences, all in the heart of Hamilton.
The Waikato Racing Club is the host club conducting 16 licences of the 18 race days held annually at Te Rapa Racecourse, Hamilton. The club is the flagship of the Waikato Region which accommodates New Zealand’s largest population of horse operations and racing personnel. The racetrack has been upgraded in recent times and provides an excellent surface all year round. The course includes a steeplec
19/08/2026
NEWS | Nick Johnson Appointed Chief Executive of Waikato Thoroughbred Racing
Waikato Thoroughbred Racing (WTR) has today announced the appointment of Nick Johnson as its new Chief Executive after a comprehensive search.
Read more 👉 waikatoracing.co.nz/news/news-nick-johnson-appointed-chief-executive-wtr
Welcome to the team, Nick!
📸 | Cornege Media
19/08/2026
First Five 👀
Crocetti ⚡️
Sterling Express 🔥
And that's just the first 3 in the field! Add to that Alabama Lass and Affirmative Action plus a field of other hopefuls and Saturday's G2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate is shaping up to be quite the spectacle.
General admission is free and fields are out now!
https://loveracing.nz/raceinfo/55922/meeting-overview.aspx
14/08/2026
12/08/2026
The lead-in to spring spoils is nearly here!
The G2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (Sat 22 Aug) sees a number of high-class horses return from their winter breaks and signals the arrival of spring racing. In other words, it’s a GREAT day of racing.
And if you want to enjoy it while staying warm and dry (because the weather clearly hasn’t got the ‘spring’ memo yet), we’ve got the hospo sorted too. Lodge Lounge is available for $145pp.
Tickets here or GA is free: waikatoracing.co.nz/waikato-stud-foxbridge-plate-raceday26
07/08/2026
See you all tomorrow!
Celebrating an incredible 10 years of service, the NZ Horse Ambulance Trust's Winter Appeal is currently underway. This Saturday at Te Rapa, the racing community will come together in support of the Trust with Waikato Thoroughbred Racing generously gifting six race sponsorships to NZHAT to help raise vital funds for the appeal ❤️
Cambridge Stud (a National Equine Welfare Partner and a supporter of the Trust since its inception), Windsor Park Stud, Wentwood Grange, Milan Park Stud, Rich Hill Stud and Novara Park Stud have each sponsored a race and together, their support will help raise more than $6,000 for the ‘Here for the Horse’ Winter Appeal – with further fundraising taking place throughout the raceday. Keep an eye out for the NZ Horse Ambulance Trust colours throughout the card, with a runner in each race proudly carrying the silks:
🐴 Race 1 - Juwala
🐴Race 2 - Heza Sharp One
🐴Race 3 - Kahului
🐴Race 4 - Little Bit of Love
🐴Race 5 - Miss Anna Lee
🐴Race 6 - Ribraka
🐴 Race 7 - Principled
🐴Race 8 - tba
To show your support, head to 👉 https://givealittle.co.nz/org/nz-horse-ambulance-trust
04/08/2026
This is such an incredible service to have available to us here in New Zealand!
We're proud to support the NZ Horse Ambulance Trust's winter appeal at Saturday's raceday with 4 races being gifted to the Trust to aid in their fundraising efforts.
If you're wanting to support all the incredible things they do for our horses, donate here 👉 https://givealittle.co.nz/org/nz-horse-ambulance-trust
30/07/2026
Phew! 😌 2025/26 was a big season for us, for all the right reasons. We LOVED seeing so many of you oncourse and getting to be a part of some unforgettable racedays.
And we've got plans to make the 2026/27 season even better.
So, here’s to the season that was, and hello to the one ahead. We’re ready for you!
22/07/2026
WTR's racing season at Te Rapa might have come to a close but our friends from Taumarunui Racing Club Inc. are keeping the racing action going this weekend!
Head on down to Te Rapa on Saturday, 25 July for their annual raceday including the always popular, Taumarunui Gold Cup.
More here:
Taumarunui RC @ Te Rapa Join us for Taumaruni's annual Raceday at Te Rapa
17/07/2026
Line up, line up!
With the new season nearly upon us, we've got the first few dates for your diaries...
Saturday 8 August | Season Opening Raceday
Saturday 22 August | Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate Day (starting the season strong!)
If you're keen to be oncourse as the road to the Spring majors begins with the running of the G2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate, we've got a hospo option ($145pp) all sorted.
🎟 waikatoracing.co.nz/waikato-stud-foxbridge-plate-raceday26
01/07/2026
Who loves winter racing? We do 🙋♀️❄️
Join us this Saturday for Members' Raceday, our final Te Rapa raceday of the 2025/26 season.
Plenty of action awaits. Get in!