Matamata training facility expansion

[curious]

Matamata Racing Club Races into the Future with Exciting Expansion

In an exciting step for the Club’s future, the Matamata Racing Club (MMRC) is proud to unveil plans for a significant expansion of its racehorse training facilities.

May 19, 2025

 

 

In an exciting step for the Club’s future, the Matamata Racing Club (MMRC) is proud to unveil plans for a significant expansion of its racehorse training facilities - an investment that promises to boost not only the Club’s training capacity but also the strength and sustainability of New Zealand’s thoroughbred industry.

The Club’s recent acquisition of the neighbouring Valachi Downs property has enabled it to explore expanding its current training facilities, addressing growing demand and supporting not only the Club’s financial position but also the broader growth of the New Zealand racing industry at this crucial time. This development will transform the landscape of local racing, with the proposed construction of up to 20 state-of-the-art barns designed to accommodate up to 250 more horses. These new facilities will complement the existing stabling infrastructure, which already caters to approximately 150 horses.

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“This is more than just an expansion. It’s a vote of confidence in our trainers, our horses, and the future of New Zealand racing,” says MMRC General Manager Regan Donnison. “We’re responding to real demand and positioning ourselves—and our region—as a key contributor to the national industry moving forward.”

MMRC has long been a cornerstone of New Zealand racing, home to many legendary trainers and the launchpad for countless equine champions. In the 2023/24 season alone, horses trained at Matamata won 45 individual stakes races, including a remarkable 40% of all Group 1 races run in New Zealand. The current season is also shaping up to be a strong one for Matamata trained thoroughbreds, with a dominance of some key spring & summer majors including the inaugural running of the $3.5M NZB Kiwi.

The Club’s on-course training facility is already one of the busiest in the country, servicing around 40 trainers and up to 850 horses monthly. Its amenities, including multiple training tracks, a swimming pool, schooling fences, weighing scales and other modern aids including customised jumpout gates, have made it a preferred destination for trainers at all levels. This next phase of development will ensure Matamata remains at the forefront of the industry for years to come, while strengthening the Club’s ability to continue investing in its facilities with the goal of achieving world-class standards in the near future.

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Andrew Scott, co-trainer of Wexford Stables, welcomed the move, saying: “It’s great to see a local club taking a progressive approach. If all goes to plan, their proposed facilities will be a real asset to the industry — creating more opportunities for people to train on track, in line with a growing trend across Australasia. There’s still a way to go before it’s fully realised, but it’s a strong step in the right direction.”

And the Club’s ambitions extend beyond infrastructure. MMRC’s vision is firmly focused on supporting a vibrant and sustainable future for the entire racing community. By providing affordable, purpose-built stabling solutions and encouraging collaboration between racing clubs and trainers, MMRC is actively working to secure the long-term sustainability of racing in the Northern region and beyond.

Expressions of interest for leasing barns in the new development are now open, with flexible sizing aimed at accommodating a wide range of trainers, from established operations to up-and-coming professionals.

“This project is about growth, opportunity, and making sure we’re doing everything we can to support our trainers and the industry at large,” Donnison said. “We’re incredibly excited about this next chapter of Matamata’s racing story.”

For more information or to express your interest, contact Regan Donnison at regan@matamataracingclub.co.nz.

[Chief Stipe]

Valachi Downs property in relation to the Matamata Course.  I think this property was called Valachi Racing.  Valachi Downs was bought by Elsdon Park about three years.  I might be wrong but I'm sure someone will correct me!  I also thought the Matamata Club bought this property 3 years ago.

[Special Agent]

All other clubs and trainers will be drooling.

How fantastic to see a racing club expanding when others have driven their assets into the ground.  Then there's those clubs not in debt and minding their own business expected to give up what they do have to the failures.

Well done Matamata.

[mikeynz]

Just now, Special Agent said:

All other clubs and trainers will be drooling.

How fantastic to see a racing club expanding when others have driven their assets into the ground.  Then there's those clubs not in debt and minding their own business expected to give up what they do have to the failures.

Well done Matamata.

Seem to be heading in a different direction than Auckland Trotting Club.

[Special Agent]

1 minute ago, mikeynz said:

Seem to be heading in a different direction than Auckland Trotting Club.

Or pretty much any club, to be fair.

[curious]

2 hours ago, Special Agent said:

Or pretty much any club, to be fair.

They have had about a .5m cash flow surplus on operations the last couple of years but a significant loss on training operations. This seems like a positive and proactive step to remedy that.

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, curious said:

They have had about a .5m cash flow surplus on operations the last couple of years but a significant loss on training operations. This seems like a positive and proactive step to remedy that.

I reckon Te Aroha will be involved going forward as well.  Matamata main turf track will need some rejuvenation work soon.

Interesting though that many have slagged Mildon the track manager at Hastings.  He started his career at Matamata.

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, curious said:

They have had about a .5m cash flow surplus on operations the last couple of years but a significant loss on training operations. This seems like a positive and proactive step to remedy that.

Look closer at what caused the "significant loss".  $400k isn't that much is it?  Which raises the question - how many horses do you need to make a track profitable?

@Dark Beau Trentham has less than 10.

[curious]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

Look closer at what caused the "significant loss".  $400k isn't that much is it?  Which raises the question - how many horses do you need to make a track profitable?

@Dark Beau Trentham has less than 10.

350k 2 years ago with substantial R&M. 100k last year. Is Trentham profitable then?

[curious]

7 minutes ago, curious said:

350k 2 years ago with substantial R&M. 100k last year. Is Trentham profitable then?