112 | COMMUNITY West Coast Circuit - Greymouth and Reefton and Kumara Racing T T Virginia Wright West Coast Racing a real winner The race days are well patronised, their feature races offer decent stakes of $35,000 or more “It’s definitely a throwback to traditional country racing.” Every year in early January people flood into the South Island’s West Coast to enjoy the week-long West Coast Race Circuit. With three thoroughbred race meetings held on some of New Zealand’s oldest and most iconic racecourses, it’s a week of fun, family and a flutter for those so inclined, with the Greymouth, Reefton and Kumara race days each adding their own distinctive flavour to the annual event. It’s a grass-roots, intergenerational, community-based week of racing, brought together by the unwavering support of Coasters, many of whom have been going to these races for years. Having the three races combined makes it an attractive proposition for owners and trainers from all over the country, who generally race their horses on at least two of the three days. The race days are well patronised, their feature races offer decent stakes of $35,000 or more, the atmosphere is unbeatable, and according to a local, they are more than likely to find a track with a bit of moisture in it too, as an added bonus for those horses that don’t like the summer dry. The Race Circuit is an annual event for former locals, who pour in from all around the country and abroad, making the most of the chance to reconnect with their roots while enjoying a week of family fun and entertainment along with one of the New Zealand Race Calendar’s most loved events. “I’ve seen racing in Europe, the USA and throughout Australasia, and there is nothing in the racing world that can compete with the sheer uniqueness of the West Coast Circuit,” says three-times racing commentator George Simon. The week kicks off in Greymouth, whose Racing Club dates back to 1867. Located at Omoto, five kilometres out of town, it overlooks the Grey River, which provided the transport for the first-ever race-goers, who came up in boats to enjoy races with unusual names like the Packer’s Purse and the Cheroot Scurry. More recently, it was the home track for the five Skelton brothers, who grew up a stone’s throw away over the river in Cobden, and are arguably the greatest set of riding brothers in New Zealand racing history. Max Skelton still comes and helps out every year. Wednesday’s Race Day is at the Reefton course, which is two years off its 150th anniversary. T he smallest racecourse in the country, it has staunch backing from different sporting codes united in their support for the iconic community asset. Reefton is the oldest town on the West Coast, and their race day, held against the distinctive backdrop of the West Coast’s natural wilderness, offers the chance for visitors to set up a picnic or enjoy the barbecue food on offer and make the most of the day; mingling with other race-goers, trainers and owners while checking out the horses or just relaxing with a community who know how to enjoy themselves. The third and final race day of the circuit is famous for its feature race, the Kumara Gold Nuggets, which includes an ounce of gold nuggets in addition to its stakes. With bands, food stalls offering every local delicacy you can think of from venison to whitebait, and up to 50 marquees set up for local businesses, sponsors and others, it’s a big day out. One of the marquees next year is for a local returning from London to celebrate her 30th birthday – just one of the many people using the week as an excuse to come back to their close-knit community for a holiday and some epic fun. “It’s definitely a throwback to traditional country racing. The whole community gets involved with food stalls and local musicians playing, it’s relaxed but spirited at the same time, and it’s the same for all of them, they’re not just race meetings, they’re cultural institutions,” says Michaela Meates, third-generation race enthusiast, club operator and Event manager at Kumara Race Club The success of one race day is the success of all, bound by family ties and loyalty, a deeply satisfying part of West Coast life. Next year’s West Coast Race Circuit starts in Greymouth on Sunday, January 4, 2026. Local Lawyers. Local Roots. Local Commitment. Buying & Selling Commercial Agreements Employment Law Leases Relationship Property Estates Succession Planning Civil Disputes Greymouth Office : 64A High St, GREYMOUTH | Ph: (03) 768 0295 | e: admin@connorslegal.co.nz Westport Office : 159 Palmerston St, WESTPORT | Ph: (03) 789 7649 | e: westport@connorslegal.co.nz
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=