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1899 NEW BRIGHTON TROTTING CLUB SECOND DAY SPRING MEETING

Handicapper Mr H Brinkman: Starter Mr D O'Connor

There was a fair attendance on the second day of the New Brighton Trotting Club's Spring Meeting today, and the weather was all that could be desired. The sport on the whole was fairly interesting, the contest between Florrie and Shylock being the closest witnessed at the meeting. The sum of £2050 was invested through the medium of the totalisator, making a total of two days of £4371, as against £4638 for the corresponding meeting last year. The following are details of the racing:-

MAIDEN HANDICAP (in harness) of 30 sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. One mile.

Mr W H Martyn's br g Rickety, by Childe Harold, aged, 9sec (Owner) 1.

Mr F Mulholland's b g Fleetwood, 3yrs, 10sec (Owner) 2.

Mr J Farrar's ch m Irene, 5yrs, 11sec (Owner) 3.

Protest 6sec, Diagram 7sec, Sue Dudley 8sec and Ayrshire Lad 13sec also started.

Fleetwood quickly passed Irene, and at the half distance was just in front of the breaking Rickety. The latter was in front shortly after entering the straight, and though he broke once, as also did Fleetwood, he went on and won by fully eight lengths. Irene was a poor third.

Time 3min 49sec. Dividend - £7 10s.

PONY HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 30 sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. Two miles.

Mr W Kerr's b m Frisk, aged, 24sec (Owner) 1.

Mr S Humphrey's br m Vaity Fair, 5yrs, 24sec (Angus) 2.

Mr T Hood's br g Wenlock, aged, 21sec (Stewart) 3.

Master Irvington scr, Agnes 10sec, Nita 10sec, Mihi 24sec, Ken-I-No 24sec, Botany 25sec, Bonnie Bell 25sec, Wakahe 27sec and Florence 30sec also started.

Frisk got to the front in the first four furlongs, and never being headed won by eight lengths from Vainty Fair, Wenlock three lengths away third.

Time 5min 42sec. Dividend - £1 18s.

SPRING HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 70 sovs; second horse 7 sovs and third horse 3 sovs from the stake. Two miles.

Mr H H Smith's ch g Wandering Willie, by Kentucky, aged, 22sec (M Edwards) 1.

Mr H Mace's ch m Jessie Palm, 5yrs, scr (T Price) 2.

Mr J Vallance's ch h Kingston, aged, 25sec (McMillan) 3.

Thelma also started.

Kingston was passed by Wandering Willie inside the half-mile, and when half the journey had been completed he was well in front of Kingston, after whom came Jessie Palm and Thelma together. Wandering Willie was never sobsequently threatened, and won by forty yards from Jessie Palm, who defeated Kingston by two lengths for second position.

Time 5min 18sec. Dividend - £3 2s.

SELLING HANDICAP TROT

Bess II 1, Wairarapa 2.

Time 2mn 56sec. Dividend - £8 6s.

ADVANCE HANDICAP (in harness) of 45 sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. Two miles.

Mr J Howard's br g Protest, by Kentucky-Shamrock, 5yrs, 18sec (McMillan) 1.

Mr J Douglas's b m Imogene, aged, 15sec (Owner) 2.

Mr H Cranfield's b m Mistake II, aged, 20sec (M Edwards) 3.

Bonnie McGregor scr, Annie Rooney 2sec, Lassie 10sec, Mambrino King 20sec and Sue Dudley 22sec also started.

Protest led almost the whole distance, and won comfortably by four lengths from Imogene, with the favourite, a similar distance away third.

Time 5min 45sec Dividend - £4 8s

A protest for incinsistency and informal registration was dismissed.

AVON HANDICAP (in saddle) of 70 sovs; second horse 7 sovs and third horse 3 sovs from the stake. Two miles.

Mr C Kerr's ch m Florrie, by Johnny Faulkner, 5yrs, 5sec (Owner) 1.

Mr V Harris's b g Shylock, aged, 8sec (Milne) 2.

Mr M Edwards's ns b m Effie, 5yrs, 20sec (M Edwards) 3.

Torpedo 9sec, Miss Brownwood 18sec, and Jean Valjean 25sec also started.

Shortly after passing the mile-post, Miss Brownwood headed Jean Valjean, Effie, Shylock and Florrie, following in the order named. Four furlongs from home, the leader broke, letting up Jean Valjean, but the latter only momentarily held command, Shylock and Florrie ranging alonfside him, and, when the straight was entered, the four named were together. Florrie and Shylock fought out a capital struggle, which ended in favour of the former by a bare head; Effie, four lengths away, third.

Time 5min 3 1/2sec Dividend - £9 8s.

TELEGRAPH HANDICAP (in harness) of 40 sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. One mile.

Mr H Mace's br m Weary, by Brookholm, 3yrs, 23sec (T Price) 1.

Mr G B Murfitt's b m Daystar, 6yrs, 21sec (Owner) 2.

Mr R Sutherland's ch m Carolina, aged, 19sec (Needham) 3.

Monte Carlo scr, Clifton 11sec, Hollis H 12sec, and Kingston 19sec also started.

Weary lead the whole way, and won easily by six lengths. Carolina was three lengths away third.

Time 2min 39 1/4sec. Dividend - £1 14s.

FINAL HANDICAP (in saddle) of 40 sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. One mile.

Mr V Harris's b h Young Burlington, by Burlington B, aged, 9sec (Milne) 1.

Mr H Mace's br g Director, 4yrs, 23sec (T Price) 2.

Mr A Binnie's b m Miss Annie, 6yrs, 13sec (Owner) 3.

The Joker 9sec, and Flirt 18sec also started.

After going three furlongs, Director had established a commanding lead, but, shortly after passing the half-mile post, Young Burlington had caught him. The latter then broke, and when he had settled down again The Joker was on terms with him, with Director and Miss Annie close up. Entering the straight, The Joker broke badly, and lost his position, Young Burlington pacing home a comfortable winner by five lengths, with Miss Annie, a similar distance away third.

Time 2min 27sec. Dividend - £5 18s.

Credit: Star 19 Oct 1899

1898 NEW BRIGHTON TROTTING CLUB'S FIRST DAY SPRING MTGN

Handicapper Mr H Brinkman: Starter Mr C O'Connor

The New Brighton Trotting Club's Spring Meeting opened today in beautiful weather, and with a good attendance.

Results:-

MAIDEN HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 30 sovs; second horse 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr H Mace's b g Bob M, by Berlin Abdallah-Madeira, 5yrs, scr (T Frost) 1.

Mr J Wright's b m Mayflower, 6yrs, scr (Owner) 2.

Lady Tracy scr, Princess Victoria scr, Advice scr, Au Revoir scr, Glemnuick 2sec and Dolly Emerson 4sec also started.

Bob M took the lead in the first half-mile, and, going on, won easily. Au Revoir finished second, but having galloped most of the way, was declared distanced, and Mayflower, who finished seventy yards behind the winner, was placed second.

Time 5min 44 3/5sec Dividend - £1 16s.

PONY HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 30 sovs; second 5 sovs. One mile and a half.

Mr G Hutchinson's b m Amelia, by Berlin Abdallah, 5yrs, 12sec (J Lawrence) 1.

Mr A Reid's b m Lassie, 5yrs, 12sec (A White) 2.

Narragansett scr, Daystar 14sec, Rimu 14sec, Uncle Sam 15sec and Hamlet 15sec also started.

Lassie took a long lead in the first half mile, but Amelia quickly closed up, and in the next half-mile drew level, then going on, won by half a dozen lengths. Narragansett was third.

Time 4min 22sec Dividend - £1 12s.

BURWOOD HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 60 sovs; second 10 sovs. Two miles.

Mr H Peat's blk g Master Irvington, by Young Irvington, 6yrs, 20sec (T W Price) 1.

Mr J Milne's ch g Manton, aged, 9sec (Owner) 2.

Awahuri scr and Sans Souci 15sec also started.

Young Irvington increased his lead in the first mile, and won, uncallenged, by sixty yards.

Time 5min 38sec Dividend - £2 10s.


SELLING HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 25 sovs. One mile.

Skipper 1, Mistake 2, Burwood Peggy 3.

...



Credit: Star 13 Oct 1898

1898 NEW BRIGHTON TROTTING CLUB SECOND DAY SPRING MEETING

Handicapper Mr H Brinkman: Starter Mr C O'Connor

The New Brighton Trotting Club's Spring Meeting was continued today. The weather was fine, and there was a large attendance. Results:-

MAIDEN HANDICAP TROT (in harness) of 30 sovs, second 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr W B Edwards's ns br g Johnny III, aged, 7sec (J Milne) 1.

Mr A G Holmes's b m Sing Sing, aged, 8sec (W Kerr) 2.

Mr T Popham's ch m Rossignol, 4yrs, 8sec (Albaugh) 3.

Guy Irvington 8sec, Au Revoir 9sec, Bess 11sec, Sue Dudley 11sec, Kent 11sec and Kenny 12sec also started.

Johnny III, Rossignol and Sue Dudley were rounding the last turn together, when Rossignol broke and capsized Sue Dudley's sulky. Johnny III then went on, and won by three lengths, Sing Sing beating Rossignol on the post for second place.

Time 5min 52sec Dividend - £4 4s.

PONY HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 30 sovs, second 5 sovs. Two miles.

Mr R Hill's b m Jessamine, 5yrs, 20sec (Owner) 1.

Mr A Reid's b m Lassie, 5yrs, 24sec (Smith) 2.

Mr G Land's b m Come Again, aged, 26sec (Day) 3.

Master Irvington scr, Sailor Boy II 10sec, Angeles 32sec and Uncle Sam 32sec also started.

Lassie led until the home stretch was entered, when Jessamine took command, and, after a good race, won by three lengths, the same distance separeating second and third.

Time 6min 9 1/4sec Dividend - £1 16s.

SPRING HANDICAP TROT

Tracy Belle 1, Monte Carlo 2, Young Burlington 3.

...



Credit: Star 15 Oct 1898

First record of the President of the New Brighton Trotting Club, Mr H McIllraith (President 1894-1904). However, from a comment in Bernie Wood's book "The Cup", it appears trotting may have taken place at New Brighton prior to this date. The New Brighton Trotting Club rented its course at New Brighton from Henry Mace, a studmaster at "Brooklyn".

NEW BRIGHTON RACING CLUB

The New Brighton Racing Club's summer meeting was held on December 16, with eight events on the programme. The sum of £834 10s went through the totalisator. Mr F Holmes's Oddfellow, with 10sec start, and driven by Munro, won the mile Handicap Maiden Trot in 3.18. In the Handicap Maiden Trot, in saddle, of one mile, won by Stockholm in 2.57 from 14 starters, Miss Nelson, Valentine, Victor, Curly Wig and Post Card had no investments on their chances.

-o0o-

The Press: 17 Dec 1892

Stewards - Messrs E Blake, M H R, H Gain, H Mace, H J Derrett, J Turner, Hawkins, T Free, W Thompson. Judge - Mr J Perkins. Starter - Mr H J Derrett.Secretary - Mr A I Rattray.

The annual summer trotting meeting of the New Brighton Racing Club took place yesterday. The shower that fell just as the train was leaving for the North Canterbury meeting prevented a number of townfolk from from journeying thither, and when things meteorological became more reassuring they went to New Brighton, the result being that there was a fair attendance. £834 was passed through the totalisator, and there was some fairly interesting trotting during the afternoon.

The following are the results:-

HANDICAP MAIDEN (in saddle) of 20 sovs. One mile.

Mr E C Slackwood's b m Stockholm, 4yrs, 6sec (Owner) 1.
Mrs W Jackman's gr m Fair Nell II, aged, 6sec (Harris) 2.

August scr, Blackberry 5sec, Miss Nelson 5sec, Valentine 5sec, Victor 5sec, Cleveland 5sec, Curly Wig 5sec, Post Card 6sec, Kaitoke 7sec, Fair Play 8sec, Gobo 8sec also started.

There was nothing in it but Stockholm and Fair Nell II, and the former trotting kindest won by thirty yards. Time, 2min 57sec. Dividends - Inside £16 4s 6d; outside £8 2s.

HANDICAP PONY TROT (in saddle) of 15 sovs. 14.2 or under. Two miles.

Mr W J Doyle's b g Black Oats, aged. 39sec (Harris) 1.
Mr J Hill's br g Bobby Burns, aged, 12sec (Owner) 2.

Sultan scr, Polly Plum 7sec, Sambo 12sec, Ayrshire Lass 20sec, Vanity 30sec, Uncle Tom 35sec, Lulu 39sec, Mellora 39sec, Empire 39sec, Newlyn Maid 39sec, Gipsy Prince 39sec, Alice Grey 43sec, Queen of the Ring 43sec, Bloxwich 45sec also started.

Black Oats got to the front early, and won by 7sec from Bobby Burns, who beat Newlyn Maid by about fifty yards. Time, 6min 11sec. Dividends - Inside £2 1s; Outside £1 0s 6d.

AVON HANDICAP (in harness) of 30 sovs; 3 sovs from stake for second. Two miles.

Mr A Douglas' b m Lena, aged, 40sec (Owner) 1.

Mr D Barnes' ch g Colonial, aged, 13sec (Owner) distanced.

Home Rule 17sec, Dorothy 23sec, Maid of Lusky 35sec, Locket 40sec, Oddfellow 40sec also started.

Lena was never headed, but Colonial got within 10sec of her. Time, 6min 6 1/2sec. Dividends - £10 14s; Outside £5 7s.

HANDICAP MAIDEN TROT (in harness) of 20 sovs. One mile.

Mr Holmes' br g Oddfellow, aged, 10sec (Munro) 1.

The Whale scr, Red Rose 9sec, Bexy 9sec, Dennis 9sec, Queenie 10sec, Clearwell 11sec, Dick Turpin also started.

Won with ease by twenty lengths from Dennis, Dick Turpin third. Time, 3min 18sec. Dividends - Inside 1 11s 6d; Outside 15s 6d.

NEW BRIGHTON HANDICAP (in saddle) of 20 sovs. Two miles.

Mr F Whitehead's b g Fairchild by Berlin, 5yrs, 14sec (Owner) 1.
Mr A Duncan's blk g Darkie, aged, 19sec (Owner) 2.
Mr T Laffry's b m Louie, aged, 22sec (Hamil) 3.

Springfield 10sec also started.

The issue was in doubt all the way through Fairchild breaking, but he finally won by three lengths, a length and a half between second and third. Time, 5min 44sec. Dividends - Inside £1 13s 6d; Outside 16s 6d.

HANDICAP PONY TROT (in harness) of 15sovs. 14.2 or under. Two miles.

Mr T Honeybone's b m Polly Plum, scr (Munro) 1.
Mr J Peacock's rn g Vanity, 23sec (Owner) 2.

Mona 28sec, Uncle Tom 28sec,Senator Bill 30sec, Soliloquy 30sec, Hilda 30sec, Black Oats 20sec, Princess May 38sec, Bloxwitch 38sec also started.

Black Oats jibbed at the post, and Polly Plum had her opponents caught at the end of a mile and a quarter, and thence out trotting easily, finished three lengths in advance of Vanity, the rest distanced. Time, 6min 22sec. Dividends - Inside £1 16s 6d; Outside 18s.

STEWARDS' STAKES HANDICAP (in harness) of 20 sovs. One mile.

Mr G Fergusson's ch g Tinker, aged, 22sec (Farrar) 1.
Mr D Barnes' ch g Colonial, aged, 7sec (Owner) 2.

Shela 13sec, Maid of Lusky 18sec, Dennis 18sec, Oddfellow 19sec, Little Kate 19sec also started.

Won by thirty yards. Time, 3min 6 1/2sec. Dividends - Inside £3 14s; Outside £1 17s.

PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP (in saddle) of 20 sovs. One mile.

Mr T Grey's b m Miss Irwell, aged, 19sec (Owner) 1.
Mr C adcock's blk m Hippias, aged, 14sec (Hammond) 2.

Darkie 11sec, Chuznee, 16sec, Gobo, aged, 21sec also started.

Won by 10 lengths. Time, 3min 4sec. Dividends - Inside £1 16s; Outside 18s.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 9Dec1942

1888 NEW BRIGHTON RACING CLUB: TROTTING MEETING

[Per the "Star's" Pigeon Express]

Starter and Handicapper - Mr S P Andrews.

The Trotting Meeting of the New Brighton Racing Club was held today. The weather in the morning was overcast, and a drizzling rain falling before the commencement of the proceedings, the attendance was very small. The course was in capital order, and the arrangements as good as usual. The following are results received up to the hour at which we went to press:-

MAIDEN TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. No weight under 10st. About two miles.

Mr J Munro's ch m Kelsie, aged (Owner) 1.

Mr J P Horner's b m Gipsy's Warning (Owner) 2.

Mr T Lynskey's b m Banshee, 6yrs (Owner) 3.

Scot and Welcome Jack also started.

Kelsie went to the front immediately the word was given, and never being headed won by 300 yards.

Time 6min 53sec. Totalisator - Inside (£1 tickets) £37 16s; Outside (10s tickets) £7 4s.

HANDICAP TIME TROT (in harness) of 30 sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. About three miles.

Mr J Farrar's b g Billy, aged, 40sec (Owner) 1.

Mr D Barnes' ch g Richmond, aged, 30sec (Owner) 2.

Mr H Piper's ch m Lioness, aged, 25sec (Owner) 3.

Nana 50sec also started.

HANDICAP SELLING TIME TROT (in saddle) of 20 sovs. The winner to br sold by auction after the race, and the proceeds to go to the Club. No weight under 10st. About two miles.

Mr R Sunderland's gr m Sedgemere Lass, aged, 30sec (Farrar) 1.

Mr Farrar's ch g Dick, aged, 40sec (Hammel) 2.

Mr G Duke's br m Blind Kate, aged, 45sec (Pearce) 3.

Emulation 35sec, Hero 40sec, Minnie 40sec and Locomotive 40sec also started.

HANDICAP SELLING TIME TROT (in harness) of 20 sovs. The winner to be sold by auction after the race, and the proceeds to go to the Club. About two miles.

Mr J Munro's rn m Quida, aged, 30sec (Owner) 1.

Mr H Mace's ch m Kate, aged, 30sec (Milne) 2.

Mr R Sunderland's gr m Sedgemere Lass, aged, scr (Mehan) 3.

King Billy 20sec and Cobweb 30sec also started.

CONSOLATION HANDICAP TROT (in saddle) of 10 sovs. About two miles.

Mr B Edwards' br g Lunatic, aged, scr (Owner) 1.

Mr D Barnes' ch g Richmond, aged, 25sec (Owner) 2.

Dick 40sec, Nana 40sec, Minnie 50sec and Tandy 60sec also started.

Won by four lengths.

Time 6min 45sec. Totalisator - Inside (£1 tickets) £2 3s; Outside no investors.

Credit: Star 25 & 26 Sept 1888

NEW BRIGHTON HARNESS RACING CLUB: EARLY HISTORY

At a meeting held in the Sawyer's Arms Hotel in February 1883, the stewards "were empowered to select a course for races anywhere within the Avon Road District."

The stewards chose land that skirted the swamps adjacent to New Brighton beach. Racing in those rather primitive conditions, the "Beach Racing Club", virtually the New Brighton Trotting Club, began to lose its savour, and the beach club was wound up, the grounds were taken over by the "Canterbury Sports Club Ltd" with the object of "encouraging athletics."

With the demise of this company, Henry Mace, a soft drinks manufacturer, bought the land and built "Brooklyn Lodge" where he founded a stud and training and racing stables. Once he sank wells for irrigation, upgraded the track and built accommodation for the public, trotting became an established sport in the area. The New Brighton Trotting Club was then re-established; and, leasing the track from Henry Mace, held the first official race meeting on March 16th, 1895.

Henry Mace died in 1902 and the next year Robert Button bought the course from Catherine Mace for £2,000, leasing it to the trotting club until 1909 when the Button family sold it for the same amount to the club.

During the First World War, though sections of the army used the grounds for training exercises, racing continued and prospered with further amenities being added for the public's accommodation. Then came the Second World War, and once again the grounds were given over to the Defence Department - and the club raced at Addington.

During the post war decade trotting on the New Brighton grass track was a popular sport, but members quickly realised that where night trotting had been introduced, clubs showed an increase in profit - and times were getting hard for this one!

In 1962, members voted in favour of selling their freehold course to the Christchurch City Council. As a result, in May 1963 the club purchased shares in the Addington Trotting Course Ltd. and held their final race meeting on the New Brighton course on September 21st, 1963. Since that time, the New Brighton Harness Racing Club as it is now known, has made Addington Raceway its home.

These days, the imposing QEII sports complex stands on the former New Brighton course.
++ NOTE: Since the 2011 earthquakes the sports complex has been demolished and the current plan is relocate Avonside Girls High and Shirley Boys High to a new facility on the site.



Credit: NZTC: Centennial Publication

EARLY RACING PRIOR TO NEW BRIGHTON TC

Among the fine pioneers who helped convert the Canterbury plains from tussock-strewn wastes into their present-day productiveness were many who had followed the hounds and ridden over steeplechase courses in England. Naturally, their inherent love of sport soon asserted itself in the land of their adoption. Not long after Hagley Park had been laid out, it was a common meeting ground for horsemen of that time, many of whom not many years previously had helped to swell the throng in Rotten Row.

So it came about that before long Hagley Park saw the start of racing activities in the young settlement. There were no regular race meetings but matches between prominent horsemen were of frequent occurrence. Anniversary Day could always be relied upon to produce two or three contests of this kind, and great was the interest taken in them. When the Canterbury Settlement was first formed, a large tract of land at Upper Riccarton was set aside as a racecourse reserve, and it was there that the Canterbury Jockey Club made it's headquarters. There it has remained ever since, and from one with primitive appointments the course has progressed into a racetrack that has few superiors in Australasia. The first contest for the Canterbury Derby, now known as the NZ Derby, was decided in 1860, victory resting with Mr Harris's mare, Ada, which was ridden by R Reay. In the same year, the Canterbury Cup was instituted, the initial race being won by that great mare, Wetsail, owned by Mr C Redwood, of Nelson.

In the (18)seventies racecourses sprang into existence from one end of Canterbury to the other. Meetings were held at Akaroa, Ashburton, Burke's Pass, Leeston, Geraldine, Hurunui, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Ohoka, Oxford, Southbridge, Timaru, Waimate and Woodend. Many of these Clubs have dropped out, but in their time they did much to advance the sport of kings.

It was at these old-time meetings that trotting gained its first foothold. As yet, no proper trotting club had been inaugurated, and the few horses in training were recruited mostly from the local tradesmen's carts. Matches between these were often witnessed in Hagley Park, but an even more popular racing ground was the fine stretch of road extending from the Ferry Bridge into the city. These races invariably finished at the old White Hart Hotel, where those who had not followed the trotters on horseback congregated to see the final stages. As the number of light-harness horses and patrons increased, there grew a demand for increased racing facilities.

One of the first tracks was a Brown's Paddock in Ferry Road, just on the town side of where the Lower Heathcote course was subsequently formed. It was a rough spot, with practically no conveniences, and did not survive many meetings. Then a change over was made to Heathcote, where gatherings, which included gallops, hurdle races and trots, were held for many years. Not until the early 'eighties was trotting put on an independent footing by the formation of a club devoted entirely to its interests. This was the Lower Heathcote Trotting Club, and in subsequent years arose the Lancaster Park Trotting Club (reorganised afterward and made the Lancaster Park Amateur Trotting Club), New Brighton Trotting Club, Canterbury Trotting Club, and Plumpton Park Trotting Club, now known as the Canterbury Park Trotting Club.

From the very earliest days New Brighton had always been a keen trotting centre. Such fine sportsmen as Tom Free, T Marr, Henry Mace, John, Charlie and Willie Kerr, H McIlwraith, and others, did much as owners and breeders to help the sport to its present high standard. In the 'seventies that grand stretch of beach northward of where the pier now stands was a favourite congregating ground. For several years meetings were held there, the flat and hurdle events being run over straight courses, while the trotters had to turn round a post and finished where they started.

The late Tom Free at the time owned the Bower Hotel, and also a good deal of the sandhills property between the hotel and the sea. Recognising the disadvantages of racing on the beach, he formed a body known as the New Brighton Racing Club, to promote all classes of racing in the district. Mr Free let the Club have what is now the New Brighton racecourse at a nominal rental, and formed a right-of-way to give access to it from the old New Brighton Road. It was a rough-looking spot in those days - nothing but sandhills, manuka scrub, and tussocks greeting the eye in all directions. In places the sandhills were levelled to make way for the racing track, but in others it was cut through them.

One of the last meetings held on the beach was in 1885. At this gathering C Kerr won the two miles trot with Queen, who was followed home by Sly Sam. The three miles trot went to Sly Sam, who at an earlier meeting had returned a big dividend. It was in 1884 that the first meeting was held on the newly-formed New Brighton course. Johnny Kerr rode his own horse, Larry, to victory in the open hurdles, and subsequently Willie Kerr appropriated the Maiden Hurdles with Patience. Burlington won the Maiden Plate, while the principal event for the afternoon, the Avon Plate, went to Rebecca. The only trotting event on the programme fell to Mr W Graham's Miriam, with Flora second and Old Bob Riley third. Among other winners at those early gatherings were Maud S, Roger, Ragman, Cock Robin, Jumbo, Gipsy, Miss Scott, Arthur and Young Irvington. The last-named was owned by Mr Tom Free, whose son Arthur steered the son of Irvington in most of his races.

Irvington was imported from America by Mr John Kerr, of Nelson, in 1882. Subsequently he stood a few seasons in the New Brighton district, and afterwards found his way to New South Wales. He was brought out from America at the same time as Vancleve, Childe Harold, Fitzjames, Newland's Hambletonian, Blackwood Abdallah, Berlin, Bill Allen, and Pinole Patchen. The importation of so many well-bred sires soon brought an improvement in the class of light-harness horses, which up to this time had been without the influence of American blood. Unfortunately, the best of the collection - Childe Harold and Vancleve - were snapped up by Australian buyers without being used in New Zealand. Irvington remained here one or two seasons only and he will always be remembered as a sire of great producing mares.

Quite a number of useful gallopers were attracted to the early New Brighton meetings, while such well-known sportsmen as J E Pilbrow, 'Dan' O'Brien, 'Pasty' Butler, H Vallance, J Lunn, R Richardson, H Piper, S Wilson, J Ward and H Murfitt were generally in evidence. On one occasion Geo. Murray-Aynsley rode Master Agnes at 12st in a Lady's Bracelet, but more than met his match in J E Pilbrow's Vanity Fair.

Among those who had most to do with the club's early destinies were T Free, M Hawkins, J Wild, R Sunderland, D Barnes, John Kerr, and R Richardson, the last named of whom officiated as starter. Unfortunately, the undertaking, a proprietary one, was not a success, and after a few years a new body known as the New Brighton Sports Club, took over the course. This concern started off with a big flourish of trumpets, but after less than two season's activities had to throw in the towel. After going begging for some time, the racecourse was acquired by the late Henry Mace in 1888 and about the same time the New Brighton Trotting Club came into existence. Prominent among its officials were Messrs H Mace, T Marr, T Free, D Barnes, J Free and Smithson. Mr Calvert, a well-known vet, usually officiated as starter. An arrangement was entered into with Mr Mace, whereby he kept the course and buildings in order and charged the trotting club and the Christchurch Racing Club so much a day for its use. Like most proprietary concerns, however, the new trotting club failed to make much progress, nor was the management all that could be desired.

At almost every meeting a selling race was included on the programme, and these were seldom above suspicion. It was one of them that led to the biggest rumpus ever witnessed on a Canterbury course. As previously mentioned, part of the New Brighton track along the back straight was cut through a sandhill with high banks on either side. For about a furlong the competitors were completely lost to view, and here it was that some desperate happenings took place. In the race under mention, a well-known owner-trainer of that time had a fairly useful trotter engaged, and entrusted a relative with a good sum to back it on the totalisator. By some means the commission was shut out. The horse referred to had a useful lead when the field entered the sandhill, but by this time the backer had raced across the course and imparted this ill news to the driver. When the field reappeared to view the leader had dropped back to last, a position that he stuck to for the remainder of the journey. No sooner had the race finished than pandemonium broke loose. So scared was the driver (whose money was not on) of the hostile demonstration, that he failed to weigh in, and bolted for town. This saved his skin, but did not prevent him from being "rubbed out" for a lengthy period.

On another occasion the story is told by old timers of all the competitors coming to a halt in the shade of the sandhill, and an argument arising as to who was to win. One rider, who was leading at the time, waited in vain for the others to come up, and at length in despair shouted out "Come on you loafers or I'll turn back." No wonder the meetings came into disfavour with the general run of racegoers, and that in 1891 the club was reorganised with the proprietary element cut out.

New blood was introduced into the management with the late Mr A I Rattray as secretary. From that time there was a marked change for the better in the affairs of the seaside club. The New Brighton body weathered the depression years of the 1930's very well indeed, and although it was forced to give up its popular course during World War II and for some years afterwards, its return there last season proved a move in the right direction. The public are according the club most gratifying support, and the racing provided on the mile grass circuit last season was of a standard bettered on very few courses throughout the Dominion.


Credit: F C Thomas writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 10Aug49

PRESIDENTS: New Brighton H R C

1894-1904 H McIlwraith
1904-1908 T Marr
1908-1915 E A Archer
1915-1916 Capt A W Owles
1916-1917 W E Thompson
1917-1918 W H Denton
1918-1919 A M Loasby
1919-1920 A S Duncan
1920-1921 W J Hopkins
1921-1922 B J McKenna
1922-1923 E H James
1923-1924 G Scott Jnr
1924-1925 T H Ker
1925-1926 Capt A W Owles
1926-1927 A J Harper
1927-1928 J R D Johns
1928-1936 W E Thompson
1936-1938 G L Berry
1938-1940 J R D Johns
1940-1942 B J McKenna
1942-1943 H C Harley
1943-1945 W Thomson
1945-1947 O Hutchinson
1947-1949 E A lee
1949-1951 T E Johnston
1951-1953 E Smith
1953-1955 A G Jamieson
1955-1957 S J Moore
1957-1959 W E Desmond
1959-1961 A McDonald
1961-1963 A E Laing
1963-1965 W F Stark
1965-1967 H E Cook
1967-1968 M T Dixon
1968-1970 J E Prendergast
1970-1973 J R Hartley
1973-1976 G M Hammett
1976-1979 B B Woods
1979-1981 H W Hickman
1981-1984 G S McHerron
1984-1987 A F McDonald
1987-1990 W K Lochhead
1990-1993 W J Hitchings
1993-1996 P I Renwick
1996-1998 D A Young

1998 Amalgamated with CPTC & NZMTC to form a new Club