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Marton Jockey Club

Established in 1886, the Marton Jockey Club has a proud history deeply woven into the racing and farming communities of the Rangitīkei. For almost 140 years, the Club has been a cornerstone of the region’s racing tradition, with its history featuring memorable race days, legendary horses and even a Royal Visit.

The Club’s original Marton racecourse also experienced its share of challenges, with the historic grandstand destroyed by fire in 1954. In 1980, after considerable debate, the Club made the significant decision to move its race meetings to Awapuni Racecourse in Palmerston North, where it continues to race today.

In 2002, the Marton Jockey Club became part of RACE (Racing at Awapuni and Trentham Combined Enterprises), joining with fellow Central Districts clubs to form a stronger collective racing operation.

Today, the Marton Jockey Club continues to honour its proud heritage while looking towards the future, with its annual race meetings at Awapuni and feature events such as the Marton Cup and Hunterville Vet Club Metric Mile keeping the Club’s long-standing connection with the Rangitīkei and Central Districts racing communities alive.

One of the most famous days in the Club’s history came on New Year’s Day in 1935, when more than 10,000 people gathered at the Marton racecourse to welcome His Royal Highness Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester, son of the reigning King George V. In an extraordinary moment, the Duke took part in the one-mile and 137-yard Ladies’ Bracelet, riding the horse Black Man under a weight of 13 stone 2 pounds. The pair led early in the race before fading in the straight to finish fourth.

Later that afternoon, the Duke presented the Marton Cup to Hastings owner-trainer C. J. Stowe, whose outstanding mare Cuddle had taken the feature race. Cuddle would go on to become one of New Zealand’s great staying mares, winning two Auckland Cups, the New Zealand Cup and the Doncaster Handicap in Australia. Her legacy continues to be recognised through the Wellington Racing Club’s Cuddle Stakes.

The Duke was obviously impressed with the hospitality he received from the Marton Jockey Club and later presented a trophy to be known as the Duke of Gloucester Cup, for competition amongst amateur riders. The Duke of Gloucester Trophy is still competed for annually in New Zealand, and changes venue each year. 

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