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Story: Canterbury region

Riccarton Racecourse

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Riccarton Racecourse

Horse racing and trotting have a long history in Canterbury. By the 1870s Riccarton Racecourse was known as the home of the New Zealand Cup. This is still the focus of a racing carnival, held annually in November. The woman at left is singing the national anthem to the crowds on Cup Day.

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Canterbury Racing - Canterbury Jockey Club

by Colin Berry

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How to cite this page

John Wilson, Canterbury region – Sport and leisure, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/10394/riccarton-racecourse (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by John Wilson, published 2 March 2009.