Sporting pursuits survive test of time

Sporting pursuits survive test of time

The old saying that all men are equal above the turf and below it rings true for rugby and racing – two pursuits deeply rooted in our collective national psyche.

It could be the ability of both pastimes to serve as great levellers that has seen them thrive and survive through generations.

When the whistle blows the barrister is level-pegging with the butcher, and when the starting barriers crash open the $100 horse is in the same race as the horse bought for a million dollars. 

As sporting pursuits, both have survived the test of time.

The first club rugby competition in Horowhenua was in 1893, and there is anecdotal evidence of horse racing being staged along Hokio Beach as early as the 1840s, not long after missionary Samuel Marsden docked with a stallion and two mares in 1823.

Fast-forward to 2025 and the spotlight is once again on rugby and racing as tomorrow the Horowhenua-Kāpiti club rugby finals are at Levin Domain between Rāhui and Foxton, and the Levin Racing Club stages an annual winter race meeting at Ōtaki.

That longevity could be down to the fact that they double as sporting contests and social events, and can produce memorable moments and incredible theatre.

In recent memory alone the club rugby finals have been responsible for thrilling contests. In 2020, with no crowds due to Covid-19 restrictions, Hamish Buick kicked a late penalty to give Rahui a 26-25 win against Shannon in the premier final.

In 2021, the match between Paraparaumu and College Old Boys was the longest ever recorded – 105 minutes and 37 seconds. The lights were turned on at Levin Domain as the game went into extra-extra time.

In 2022, it was another thriller with Waikanae holding out Shannon 37-32, and in 2023 a late penalty saw Rāhui beat Shannon 23-22.

Last year Rāhui looked home and hosed in the mud before veteran Foxton prop Dave McErlean’s late match-winning try gave them a 30-27 win.   

There have been some incredible players to hail from the Horowhenua-Kāpiti, the likes of Harry Jacob, Christian Cullen, Carlos Spencer, Selica Winiata, Cody Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Pasilio Tosi, Sam Doyle and Graham Hurunui, among others.

A day at the races has high stakes, too, and tomorrow’s meeting features the $80,000 Phil’s Electrical and Gipsy Caravans Levin Ryder Stakes, named in recognition of the contribution made by members of the Ryder family to racing in the region.

The region can lay claim to champion jockeys like W D Skelton and Tony Allan, has produced champion trainers like Chris Waller and Andrew Scott, and a string of champion horses, too.

Although downgraded to Heritage status in recent years, the Levin Ryder Stakes has in the past launched the careers of champions such as Veandercross, Weston Lea and Beechcraft.

While the two codes are no longer the only games in town – both face increasing competition for our affection – they’re still strongly threaded in our social fabric. One obvious and necessary evolution to both codes that has served to strengthen that weave has been the acceptance and inclusion of women. It’s hard to believe there was ever a time otherwise.

The growth of women’s rugby in recent years is exponential and the success of women in racing, both as trainers and jockeys, has been nothing short of phenomenal. And both are the richer for it.