Gore Harness Racing Club Celebrates 125 Years

The Gore Harness Racing Club marks a significant milestone this weekend as it celebrates its 125th anniversary, reflecting on a rich history in Southland’s harness racing scene.

Early Beginnings and Historical Highlights

The Club has the distinction of hosting Southland’s inaugural trotting meeting in November 1893, taking place on a track near Gore. The formal establishment of the Gore Trotting Club occurred in July 1900, leading to its first official meeting at the Gore Racecourse on 1 May 1901.

One of the more infamous episodes in the Club’s history unfolded during the 1908 meeting. A horse named Conocrah, which won the Ladies Bracelet, became the centre of controversy when it was discovered that the horse had been registered twice—once by the secretary of the Riverton Trotting Club and again by the secretary of the Southland Trotting Club. The registrations did not match, and it was found that the horse’s appearance had been altered: a white blaze on its face was tampered with and its tail was docked. Despite an investigation, the true identity and origin of the horse remained a mystery. When Forbury Park stewards asked to see the horse, they were told it had died and was buried near Mandeville. An exhumation failed to conclusively identify the remains as Conocrah, and the horse was never seen again. Several individuals connected to the incident received disqualifications ranging from five years to life.

Notable Winners Through the Decades

50 Years Ago – 1976

In 1976, the main event, the Royal Hotel Festival Cup, was won by Handout, trained and driven by Henry Skinner. The principal trot, the Gore Businessmen’s Association Handicap, was claimed by Tactmae, trained by Jim Dynes and driven by Alan Scobie, with Holy Cord and Bob Crane finishing second and third respectively.

The on-course tote turnover reached $81,952, with off-course betting totalling $282,171.

40 Years Ago – 1986

The 1986 main race, the MLT DB South Island Handicap, was won by Malaz, trained and driven by Hamish Hunter. The sixth heat of the Southland Oaks was secured by Ollies Chance, trained by Trevor Tisdall and driven by Stuart Allcock.

The on-course tote turnover exceeded $152,414, while off-course wagering totalled $745,960.

30 Years Ago – 1996

In 1996, The Music Man, trained and driven by Brian Norman, won the main pace of the day. The main trot was taken out by Folkstone, trained by Murray Gray and driven by his son Brett.

The on-course tote turnover reached $45,011, and off-course betting amounted to $883,474.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink