Cup Day 23 169

More than racing

Harness the excitement of race day like never before! Live music, daring fashion, family fun, thrilling punts — find it all at a race day near you.

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Ladies clinking glasses race night

Ladies Night

Get ready ladies… gather your group for an experience like no other. Addington Raceway will be hosting an exciting evening with plenty of entertainment, giveaways, a fashion competition with fabulous prizes up for grabs, all to the backdrop of thrilling harness racing action.

What is harness racing?

Harness racing is a high-speed, high-energy sport that features drivers and horses pitted against each other at over 245 meets each year across New Zealand.

The facts:

  • Drivers sit in a cart (known as a sulky) behind the horse
  • Races are held in one of two possible gaits (pacing or trotting)
  • Pacers hold a lateral gait (front and back legs move at the same time, left then right)
  • Trotters hold a diagonal gait (front left and back right move together and vice versa)
  • Horses are Standardbreds (not Thoroughbreds)

Let’s hang out

Go beyond the track

A kid holding a Driver's helmet and posing with the driver and the horse in the background

Experience the thrill of having your own horse in the race with full or part ownership. You’ll follow your horse’s progress from training to race day and have the chance to get involved with other owners at various events throughout the year. And it’s more affordable that you might think.

A well dressed couple enjoying the Harness races event

Stay in the loop

Live your best harness life all year long with updates on the latest events and promotions.