Ruakaka Racing

The Whangarei Racing Club is an incorporated society, promoting and assisting the development of the sport of thoroughbred horse racing in Northland by conducting race meetings, horse training and other events and functions at its Ruakaka Racecourse on Peter Snell Road, Ruakaka. Trainers also utilise the Bream Bay beach that adjoins the eastern edge of the racecourse.

Racing at Ruakaka is held at various times throughout the year but has the reputation of being a strategic NZ thoroughbred racing winter racetrack with its sand based profile. Being only a ninety minute drive from Auckland north shore and twenty-five minutes south of Whangarei in the Marsden Point greater region, the course attracts many summer holiday visitors with the Summer Festival Race meeting in January, its winter racing season of Saturdays in June, July and August and then its premier Spring Into Racing meeting that features the Northland Breeders Stakes (LR).