Trentham. A Brief history
Racing is in the blood of Wellingtonians with a horse race held at what is now Taranaki Street, Wellington, in September 1840 as part of the first anniversary celebrations.
A jockey club was established in Wellington in 1841 not long after the first settlers arrived in Petone in 1839, however it went out of existence after only two years.
The Wellington Jockey Club was re-established in 1865 and had more permanent home in 1873. The Wellington Racing Club was "named" in 1879.
Racing took place at this time in various locations including Petone foreshore, Lyall Bay, Burnham Water (Miramar) and the Old Hutt Park course.
The first recorded running of a Wellington Cup was on the 27th March 1867 for 40 Guineas over two miles.
Celebrating the history of the WellingtonCup, the outstanding trophy that was originally presented to the winner of the 1894 race, T Sheenans "Vogengang", ridden by Derret, is back on display as part of the annual celebration that is the Wellington Cup Carnival.
The 1894 Wellington Cup
Following the purchase of land and after clearing the site of boulders, the first meeting at the "new" 234 Acre site at Trentham was in January 1906 and the first race was the Anniversary handicap.
Cup day 1911
Although Trentham was 16 3/4 miles from Wellington, the travel time was considerably less than the Hutt Park site and had the added advantage of the adjacent railway line.
Work Started in 1922 on three stands, The Leger (demolished in the 1998), and the reinforced concrete cantilevered public and members stands which still dominate and provide excellent viewing today.
In a rush to have the stands completed for the January 1924 cup week, the workers were "compensated" with chocolate and nylons to work extra hours over the Christmas and New Year period with the stands being opened on time!
Public Stand circa 1925
Early Tote at Trentham
The roof was added to the members stand in the 1950's with the annex area developed during the 1960's.
The Peoples Stand at Trentham
During both the first and second World Wars Trentham was used by the armed forces in various roles, including as the Wellington Racecourse Hospital which opened in 1939. Racing continued during both wars with all profits for the club contributing to the Patriotic Fund.
Trentham crowds outside the "tote" October 1936
An additional 190 acres was purchased in 1950. Since that time various parcels have been sold including areas to General Motors, Hutt International Boys School and the Summerset Retirement village.
The first National Yearling sales were held at Trentham from 1927 until their move north in the 1987 and provided a big part of the excitement of cup week.In 1928 a little known unpolished colt was sold at Trentham for 168 pounds and exported to Australia.
Phar Lap at Trentham
Phar Lap was to become one of the Worlds great horses, and although he never raced at Trentham, did return for a few weeks in transit to the USA in late 1931 with crowds turning up just to watch him train.
Crowds at Trentham 1936
The Queen visited Trentham in 1953 and again in 1970 with the Queen Mother also enjoying the racing in 1958.
Royal tour 1953-54 by Crown Studios Wellington
Prominent races have been enjoyed at Trentham for years including some that had their origins prior to the move to the valley.Thes include the Chalmers Handicap (since1963), the Parliamentary Handicap (1896), the Telegraph Handicap (1891), the Thompson Handicap (1892), the Trentham Stakes (1946),the NZ St Leger (1899), the Wellington Guineas (1940), the Wellington Stakes (1897), the Desert Gold Stakes (1947), the Wellesley Stakes (1898), the Wellington Steeplechase (1885), the Wellington Hurdles (1896)
Today Trentham Racecourse is set on 67 Hectares of manicured grounds and hosts around 12 race days annually. Other events including weddings, conferences and festivals are also held regularly with the views and location as spectacular as it was when first viewed in 1906.
Cup day 2011
Committee Information
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John Fokerd - President
(Partner: Marcella Burke)
Chartered Accountant, retired senior partner after 30 years with KPMG. Member of the Wellington Racing Club since 1980. Actively involved in breeding and ownership of both thoroughbreds and standardbreds. Co-breeder of three black type horses including Group One winner, Kapiston. Honorary auditor for the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, Wellington Branch.
Community involvement includes board of NZ Drama School, past Chairperson of Ronald McDonald House Wellington Trust. My goals for the Wellington Racing Club are to use my financial and business skills to achieve a financially strong and healthy club, to improve facilities for members and to provide top class racing at Trentham.
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David Butler – Vice President
(Wife: Joy)
Commercial and Property Lawyer, Eastbourne. A senior partner of Gillespie Young Watson . Member of the Wellington Racing Club since 1985.
Actively involved in racing and breeding thoroughbreds for over 20 years. Legal adviser over that period to owners, trainers and studs. Part owner of French Polish and co-breeder of group winners Dollars N Gold and Madison Point. Member of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
I believe the success and prosperity of the Club are dependent on it consistently providing an enjoyable experience for members, owners, trainers and race-goers. That will only be achieved through quality racing and quality facilities. I look forward to the opportunity of bringing my skills and experience to a progressive committee committed to those goals.
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Ross Meo - Committee
Company Director. Member of the Wellington Racing Club since 1973. Executive Committee Member, Wellington Branch - New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Member of Syndicates that have raced horses.
My aims as a Committee Member would be to firstly ensure the Club has a strong financial base enabling it to provide the very best of racing at Trentham.
To see an increase in the Club’s Membership particularly the 20-30 years of age group. To ensure that the facilities for Members, Owners and Trainers are maintained to current standard and improved where possible.
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Wayne Guppy - Committee
(Wife: Sue)
A former pharmacist for 20 years, operating several large pharmacies in the Upper Hutt area, I am currently the Mayor of Upper Hutt. I have been a Member of the Wellington Racing Club since 1981. Also a Member of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
I have raced horses successfully in Australia with friends and am currently a small time breeder with several horses in training at Trentham. As a Committee Member, I would be committed to ensuring Trentham becomes the number one premier track in the country.
We also need to integrate the Trentham track and Wellington Racing Club into the greater Wellington region so that the whole region benefits from having the number one galloping track within their reach. This can be achieved.
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Mike Curtis - Committee
(Wife: Patsy)
Co - Founder and a Director of Wellington Accountancy Practice, Curtis McLean Limited. I specialise in strategic planning and business management.
A recent member of the Wellington Racing Club, but keen follower of racing since 1967. Weaned into racing with the Central Districts Jackpots of the 60’s As a keen follower of sport, I see racing competing for the entertainment dollar.
Trentham must not only continue to attract older patrons, but must position itself as an entertainment destination for the generation of patrons lost to racing. This can only be achieved through a strong financial base and promoting premier racing and fun times.
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Ray Southey - Committee
(Wife: Geri )
Managing Partner. Member of Wellington Racing Club since 1973. Lifetime involvement in Racing, active owner and Breeder for 30 years. Member of Masterton Racing committee for over 20 years. 2 periods as President, current vice president Wairarapa Harness Club and trustee Masterton Licensing Trust
Trentham is the premier racecourse in New Zealand and we must continue with recent program and improvements, and be aware of the needs and concerns of all involved in the industry form members, owners, trainers, punters and the importance of sponsors.
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Photo to come
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Clive Spink-Committee
I have grown up in the Wellington region and have been attending race days at Trentham since an early age. I am married to Andrea and we have three children.
I currently work in the Telecommunications industry where I hold a senior Commercial role, having previously been the Finance Director for a Multi National IT company.
As a Chartered Accountant and having served on a number of Boards I believe I have a skill set and experience that will benefit the Wellington Racing Club.
I have been a volunteer and served on numerous Sports organizations and School boards acting as Treasurer as well as have coaching and management roles.
I have discovered a real love for the racing with a group of friends over the last few years and I travel to Melbourne every year for the spring carnival.
I would love to see the Wellington Racing Club prosper and grow, and be part of Wellington’s event culture as an experience that everyone can be part of and enjoy.
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Des Coppins - Committee
(Wife - Mary)
Des has been working in racing for much of his life.He was involved in his earlier racing years as a statistician/form compiler for the best Bets in Auckland before moving to Wellington in the 1970's where he joined the INL group of companies to become a racing writer for NZ Truth and Friday Flash before being appointed Editor of Friday Flash. He held that position for 14 years before the company shifted the publication to Auckland . Today Des is director of his company Des Coppins Racing and Marketing Ltd and for a time worked under contract in the sales and marketing for the Radioworks (Mediaworks) hosting
(Tracktalk) on Radio Pacific. These days Des runs the talk-back racing show on Radio Trackside each Sunday and does a few other shifts on radio during the week as well as co-presenting the First Call on Trackside each Saturday. He runs a very succesful tipping line (090045459) . Des has been in syndicates that have raced many horses and has over 50 wins with the most succesful being the Group Two winner Soap Opera. He is married to Mary and has 3 live in nephews and Mimi the dog ( 2.2.kg miniature pinscher).
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Colin Dallas – Committee
(partner: Jane)
My involvement with racing came about when a group of new owners got together to race in a syndicate of horses about 15 years ago. This along with the pure interest of the horse racing industry gave me an insight as to how much fun and excitement you can gain once you are involved. As a Committee Member this is a great opportunity for me to meet new friends and to share in the overall passion for this sport. Wellington being the vibrant city that it is, allows people the opportunity to see the 7’s rugby and to enjoy the Wellington Cup Carnival all in the space of a few weeks which helps add to the excitement that makes Wellington the place we all love to live in.
Part of what I would like to see happen as I get more involved with racing at Trenthan, is to see younger people raising there hand and wanting to either become new members or taking an ownership of a horse. The excitement is just something that can be enjoyed immeasurably. I look forward to working with a great committee of people who share the interests and goals as what I do.
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