Your ultimate guide to this summer’s most iconic race days
Grab your fascinators, fire up the group chat, it’s time to round up your crew and book your tickets for The Grand Tour – an epic racing festival, featuring New Zealand’s most iconic race days. Not only does The Grand Tour celebrate the best racing at the best venues, but all the action off the track too. Eat, drink, and get racy at New Zealand’s ultimate entertainment extravaganza. An unmissable event series with all the ingredients of a perfect day out.
If you’re on the hunt for a holiday activity, here’s a taste of what’s to come… six of the biggest race days on the calendar!
Boxing Day Races – December 26th
Auckland – Pukekohe Park
Auckland’s iconic summer celebration is coming to Pukekohe Park for the first time! From high-octane racing to top-notch hospitality and family entertainment – round up the crew for a Christmas debrief and make your Boxing Day one to remember.
A Remix top tip: Grab a ticket to ‘The Lane’ to experience The Grand Tour festival zone. The perfect spot to relax trackside for the day and to kick off your Christmas break with all the best things, delish food, drink, and quality racing, of course!
Oh, and one more thing... Boxing Day and fashion go hand-in-hand! Show off your fashion flare in the SkyCity Auckland Style Stakes. What’s more – this competition boasts not one, but TWO changes to qualify for New Zealand’s national fashion in the field final, The Ned Prix de Fashion.
New Year’s Day Races – January 1st
Waikato – Te Rapa Racecourse
Eat, drink, and get racy at one of New Zealand’s most iconic race days – this year at Te Rapa Racecourse for the first time ever. With free general admission, there’s no excuse not to head along to soak up the summer sun trackside. Kick back and relax in The Grand Tour festival zone, with great entertainment on offer, both on and off the track.
New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Million - January 21st
Auckland – Pukekohe Park
The ultimate combination of socialising, racing and entertainment – the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Million needs no introduction. 2023 is Pukekohe’s turn to see the stars come out to play at what is the country’s richest sporting event. With 2x $1million races, the who’s who of the racing and social set will be drawn to Pukekohe to enjoy the spectacle, all staged under the setting sun. Get your best race day ‘fit ready and grab a ticket to ‘The Lane’ where you’ll enjoy a complimentary drink on arrival and a delicious item from the exclusive food truck while the horses thunder past. Featuring The Grand Tour festival zone, it’s the perfect
NZCIS Wellington Cup Day – January 28th
Wellington – Trentham Racecourse
This year will see the 150th running of the Wellington Cup on the Champagne Turf of Trentham Racecourse. With a winning trifecta of fashion, superb hospitality, and entertainment, make sure you’re on-course for the most sought-after midsummer party in Wellington. Grab yourself a GA ticket and eat, drink, and get racy in The Grand Tour festival zone.
ATR NZ Derby Day – March 4th
Waikato – Te Rapa Racecourse
For the first time ever, this ‘not to be missed’ race day will be held in the Waikato, promising an epic day of premier horse racing and top-class entertainment off the track too. Witness some of NZ’s best horses & jockeys vie for sporting glory in the $1m Auckland Thoroughbred Racing New Zealand Derby. Lucky for you this one has Free General Admission which means there are no excuses! Hit the Public Village and kick up your heels or kick back and relax in The Grand Tour festival zone.
Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day – March 11th
Auckland – Pukekohe Park
The big race, the great day and one final hurrah to one incredible summer of racing. Be there to cheer on the superstar athletes as they vie for Auckland Cup Day's® namesake iconic silverware and their place in the history books in the $500K Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup®.
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