Racing club fights for its course

Racing club fights for its course

Levin Racing Club is in a fight to save its historic racecourse from its own national body.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing is proposing to take control of LRC’s land at Mako Mako Road, laying claim to what has traditionally existed as a community asset and is still well used.

The situation is a result of changes made to the Racing Act 2020, which has given NZTR the impetus to take control of any land it deems surplus. It’s akin to Bowls New Zealand staking claim to Waitārere Beach Bowling Club assets.

LRC is in for the fight. It has engaged Auckland-based lawyer Mai Chen and advice to date is that the situation is contestable.

LRC received a letter from NZTR early this year deeming the club’s racecourse land as “surplus”.

Then NZTR’s lawyers sent LRC an email last week instructing that it now wanted control of LRC’s land in preparation for potential sale.

LRC president Shawn Hawkins says the club sees itself as custodian of a community facility built on more than 100 years of goodwill. Many racing industry participants rely on the track for their livelihood.

He says the club has tried repeatedly to engage with NZTR to find a resolution in the best interests of all stakeholders – the racing industry, participants, club members, and the Horowhenua community.

“It has become clear that this isn’t a discussion. It’s a takeover,” he says. “We want to work with NZTR to find a solution.”

LRC has no clear indication exactly how the club and displaced industry participants might be compensated, or exactly where the proceeds of a sale are headed.

“A lack of detail is frustrating,” Shawn says.

LRC is receiving support from racing participants and the wider community.

In recognition, the club has named its $400,000 flagship race the Levin Track Supporters Levin Classic, to be run at Trentham on January 3.

With some racing clubs struggling to wash their face, LRC is a victim of its own prudent financial management. Its land is freehold and $1.6 million is in the bank. Registered valuations have the land valued at $3.8 million.

The club funds the facility at no cost to the governing body and has recently spent almost $1 million on new tie-up stalls, starting barriers, irrigation, and other track safety features.

The club also has the support of leading Central District trainers who see the fortnightly jumpout trials at the track as essential for the safe preparation and education of horses for raceday.

At least 120 horses take part in the jumpouts every fortnight and 40-50 horses use the track every day.

The land is not earmarked for development given its location. It’s close to an abattoir and sewage treatment plant, and Punahau, a taonga to mana whenua. An entire new suburb, Tara Ika, of more than 3500 residential dwellings, is also under way on the other side of Levin.

Shawn says LRC has provided NZTR with plans designed to maximise a monetary return for the ongoing benefit of the industry and continues to explore revenue opportunities alongside its core function.  

The club has also worked to forge positive community partnerships as home base for Levin Menz Shed for more than 10 years, and a community vegetable garden overseen by Department of Corrections, growing food for people in need.

In the email last week NZTR has told LRC that proceeds of sale will be transferred to an industry investment fund and ring-fenced region-by-region, as agreed to by clubs affected, although it is unable to specify at this stage exactly where the money will be spent.

NZTR has told LRC it can’t commit to specifics or provide details on investment until it has certainty over the timing of the Levin asset transfer and sale.

It is offering to communicate with trainers regarding the proposed transition and is pledging to offer support should it take over the facility.

It says it is considering the feasibility of retaining part of the site for ongoing community use and plans to meet with those groups.

The email says NZTR now wants to meet with LRC to discuss the next steps and is prepared to maintain the current operating arrangements at the Levin Racecourse after transfer “until at least the end of 2026.”

“NZTR’s hope moving forward is to work collaboratively with LRC to reach arrangements and agreements that support and benefit LRC, and the community throughout this process,” it has told LRC.

The centralisation model hasn’t served racing in the Central Districts well in recent times.

Race Inc, an amalgamation of Trentham, Manawatū, Feilding, Rangitīkei and Marton clubs, was established in 2002. The Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club joined Race Inc in 2007 before opting out in 2018.

Since its inception, Race Inc has sold Feilding and Bulls racecourses and swathes of property at both Awapuni and Trentham. 

Shawn says a majority of LRC members would be more likely to support amalgamation if it was in the best interest of club, community and industry, having twice voted down invitations to join Race Inc and transfer its assets already. 

Racing in Horowhenua dates back to the 1850s and a large part of the current Levin racecourse was purchased in 1902.

Since then the region has contributed its share of champion jockeys, trainers and horses.

Ka Ying Rising, currently touted as the fastest racehorse in the world, did much of his early education at the Levin Equine Facility and was sold overseas on the strength of a jumpout win at Levin.