Horse racing has been part of Feilding's history from its very earliest of days.

In 1871 Sir William Feilding arrived in New Zealand and together with Mr Arthur Halcombe purchased 106,000 acres of land for just 15 shillings an acre. They established the Manchester Block, as it was then known, with Mr Frank Lethbridge becoming one of the more substantial land owners. Barely five years after the settlers arrived Frank Lethbridge had carved a racecourse out of the fertile land, which became known as Lethbridge's Run. Frank Lethbridge was the Feilding Jockey Club's first President and also served as the judge. In the early days there were three clubs racing on Lethbridge's Run. However in 1880 the Feilding Jockey Club took over the Hunt Racing Club and Steeplechase Club. Frank Lethbridge continued as President of the Feilding Jockey Club until 1911.

In 1890 the Feilding Jockey Club shifted from Lethbridge's Run to set-up a new racecourse, where the Club raced for just over 100 years until 1999 when the decision was made to sell the racecourse to the Manawatu District Council and transfer the Club's racing operations to Awapuni. The Feilding Jockey Club land is now part of Manfield Park.

Feilding Jockey Club's vision to realise their assets and invest the proceeds from the sale of the racecourse to underwrite the Club's racing activities at Awapuni has been hailed by industry leaders as one of the best decisions made by a New Zealand Racing Club in recent years.

In 2002, the Feilding Jockey Club joined the Manawatu Racing Club, Marton Jockey Club, and Rangitikei Racing Club to form the combined racing enterprise RACE, which has enabled the club to continuly showcase its proud racing tradition and its historic connection with the Manawatū racing community. 

Over the life-time of the Feilding Jockey Club there has been many significant races that have helped to build upon the clubs rich history, however it is the Feilding Gold Cup that has stood the test of time.

As far back as 1916, the Feilding Gold Cup is a premier staying race and an important part of the Club’s racing heritage. Being contested over 2100 metres, the race has managed to continually attract top-quality open-class horses.

Run in late October or early November the Feilding Gold Cup is contested for a $80,000 with the historic gold cup forming part of the prize.

Following the closure of the Feilding racecourse, the Feilding Gold Cup has continued to be run under the clubs banner within RACE, helping preserve the Club's racing heritage