Facilities

Our Trainers and Training Facilities

Te Awamutu is very proud of its training facilities and is considered one of the best courses to race on, especially in the winter months. Our local trainers who travel overseas frequently with their horses, consider Te Awamutu to have one of the best facilities and track surface to train on.

The Club's most prominent trainers who train 30-50 horses from their establishments on a daily basis. They are; Graeme & Mark Sanders, Robert Priscott, Richard and Chris Otto, Keith and Brendon Hawtin. Other trainers with lesser numbers are Darrel Hollinshead, Carl Henderson, Brent Gillovic, Doug Cave, Paul Burrows and Michelle Strawbridge. New trainers are Mark Brooks and Michael Wallace. There are many other trainers who hold Public, Permit to Train and Owner/Trainer licences.

The Waipa Racing Club have built 2 stable complexs on course over the last 3 years one for Keith & Brendon Hawtin to train out of. The complex accomodates up to 35 horses. The complex boasts tie ups, outside yards and a walker in a very safe enclosed complex. To view this complex ring Keith Hawtin on 021 441 367 or the Club 07 871 7047.

The Club completed another complex on course last February for Richard & Chris Otto which also has a walker and treadmill, this complex is home to 40 horses. Michelle Strawbridge also has a small complex on course.

We also have trainers who lease land off the Club for their horses.
Ring the Club for any information with regards to our training facilities, we invite any enquiries.

The most successful jockeys' that are based from Te Awamutu are Craig Grylls, Mark Sweeney, Daniel Hain and past and present Jumps Jockeys Clayton Chipperfield, Michelle Strawbridge (Hopkins) and Missy Browne.Craig Grylls is son of Gary and grandson of the late John F Grylls, Craig has a promising future, he has Group 1 success's with 'Pasta Post', winning the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie.

Some very smart horses have been trained out of Te Awamutu over the years, including a number of Group 1 and international performers. Some of these include Sequel, Sound The Alarm, Lady Dehere, Damacshino, Magic Winner, O'Kiwi Bay, Winged Foot, Hill of Grace, Pure Theatre, Atapi, Pacific Dancer, the late Danzapride, Sphenophtya, Buzz Lightyear, Nightlign, Prize Lady, Late Addition and The Warrior. Jumpers include the late Sir Avion and Willie Tee. Watch out now for Sir Joseph and Willie Winit from the O'Connor Stables.

Some of our upcoming stable runners to watch out for -
From the Sander's Stable are Silk Spur, The Lady, Rochallen and Zeytin.

Atapi, Occidentalis and Ebony Babe are a couple of good horses from the Otto Stable. Another two promising gallopers from the Otto's barn is Attackum and Nautique who are presently based in Australia and who have both won races over there.

From the Hawtin's complex, some to follow for the future are Clang Fashion, Jungle Breeze, Baloo, Lazaan (Lashed offspring) and Inca Royal.

Priscott's stable with Lady Lucille, Wilda's Dream, Poppy Grace. Some to watch out for are Pure Illusion, Heading North, Back Country.

List of Training/Racing Facilities

Training facilities at the Waipa Racing Club

Course Proper - The course proper is a 1650m grass track with a 300m straight. It is a very turning track where inside draws, with smart beginnings are at an advantage.

We have two grass tracks for 'trackwork' use.

Three Sand tracks which have had new sand applied in the 6 months and a excellent Plough track.

The centre of the track operates for two year olds, a learner jumps course and a steeplechase course which is available to use for schooling.

The club also boasts a Swimming Complex, a sand roll, weighing machine, and barrier stalls, all available for daily use. The new complexes both have walkers and a treadmill.

The Club hosts "Jump Outs" at least twice monthly depending upon the requirements of the trainers, with up to 108 horses jumping out. Trainers from other areas are welcome to participate at the jumpouts, trainers such as Brett McDonald, Peter Lock and Chris Wood are already taking advantage of our jumpouts.

The Club purchased a Agrivator from Australia which has been a great asset for the Club. The machine has already been used on our own track when trials where in jeorpardy of been cancelled due to rain on a firm track. We have also used the Agrivator on Te Rapa, Ellerslie, Thames, Paeroa, Tauranga, Riccarton, Rangiora and Counties Race tracks.

Track Costs for Training at The Waipa Racing Club

Training Fees

Full Month - $112.50 including full swimming (as from the 1 October 2008).
Half Month - $60.00 including full swimming.
Swims Only - $ 3.00
Jumpouts - $25.00
Special Grass Gallops if not nominated to race - $15.00
Please note all prices above exclude GST.

We also will give quotes with regards to renting land and boxes, please ring the Club with any queries.

Buildings On Course
We currently lease rooms out to a Sports Groups such as Karate and Judo Clubs, a after school group from Monday - Friday including school holidays, a Church Group and rooms are available for functions such as conferences, birthday celebrations and weddings.

Function/Conference Facilities

The Waipa Racing Club offers 6 different venues on course, which are frequently used for weddings, funerals, family celebrations and conferences.

The largest room will host 220 people and the smallest 30.

Our most popular room, "The Rosetown Room", has recently been redecorated with modern decor.

We are known as being a good venue to hold functions as there is plenty of off road, safe and private parking, with magnificent views.
Some rooms are rented out on a permanent yearly basis also to sports and church groups.

The Racing Club have on course Caterers Radish Catering, Renee` Irwin her food is great.If you are interested in talking to Renee` on 0274 361 799 or email her on reneeirwin@xtra.co.nz or ring us on 07 871 7047 .

If you are interested in getting more details about our venues or dates, please contact the Club on (07) 871 7047 or email at racing.teawamutu@xtra.co.nz, or website www.racing.teawamutu.co.nz