Thoroughbred industry opens the gates

For five days only, Kiwis can have a rare inside look at the thoroughbred industry.

The inaugural National Thoroughbred Week (NTW), held from November 20 to 24, invites Kiwis to step inside the world of the Thoroughbred industry.

National Thoroughbred Week has been developed by a volunteer steering committee comprising representatives from both sides of the Tasman. NTW co-founder and Kick Up director Vicky Leonard said the event represents a shift from reactive defence to proactive engagement

“Every year during spring racing, the conversation inevitably turns to negative assumptions about welfare, and most often it’s shaped by people who’ve never been inside a stable,” Leonard said.

“As an industry, we have a great deal to be proud of – the care, the professionalism, and the people behind it. National Thoroughbred Week is our chance to show that pride to the public, and it aligns perfectly with Kick Up’s mission to give racing its voice back.”

Westbury Stud in Karaka is hosting two-hour guided tours from 1pm to 3pm on Thursday,
November 20, Friday, November 21, and Monday, November 24, offering visitors the chance to meet foals and yearlings in their barns, see the facilities, and even pat a retired racehorse.

Registered National Thoroughbred Week guests can do an organised tour (three groups of 10) at Pukekohe Park on Counties Cup Day (November 22) to learn more about the inner workings of a race club, the participants and the care put into the horses.

The New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust will also be there to show an inside look at a purpose-built ambulance. Their national fleet is equipped with support and recovery equipment to assist in the provision of critical care to horses injured while competing in equine sports.

Two of Auckland’s most significant equine hubs – Haunui Farm in Karaka and Byerley Park in Kingseat – will open their gates to the public. Visitors can meet the horses, trainers, and teams behind the scenes, and see first-hand how these local facilities are shaping the next generation of New Zealand racing talent.

Haunui Farm and Byerley Park are holding open days from 10am to 12pm on Sunday, November 23.

Haunui Farm managing director Mark Chitty, who is also a qualified veterinarian, said the morning will begin with a parade, introducing visitors to four of their mares with foals, and yearling thoroughbreds.

Nearby Byerley Park is offering a tour of their racing stable, with visitors able to find out about the daily routine and care that goes into having a racehorse in peak condition.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) chief executive Matt Ballesty said the week represents a practical way to bring transparency, education, and community together.

“National Thoroughbred Week is a chance for the public to see the care and passion of our industry in action. It’s about opening our doors, showing the professionalism behind the sport, and building [a] genuine understanding of what Thoroughbred life really looks like in New Zealand.”

“Across regional New Zealand, racing and breeding is woven into the fabric of local communities. They create jobs, sustain businesses, and bring people together through a shared love of horses.

“By opening our gates, we’re helping people understand the role thoroughbreds play in those communities and hopefully sparking inspiration in the next generation, whether that’s a future jockey, vet, farrier, or simply someone who loves horses and wants to be part of their world,” Ballesty said.

Registrations can be made at thoroughbredweek.co.nz.