This Saturday, Racing Tauranga will host the popular Bayleys International Raceday featuring the 54th Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy, alongside the inaugural Reunion Lunch event, the brainchild of Noel Harris and Earl Harrison.
The Reunion Lunch is designed for all industry participants—past and present—to celebrate the good times, share stories, and reconnect over a great day of racing. We can't wait to welcome them to the track.
The idea for the reunion emerged after Noel and Earl attended Dave O’Sullivan’s funeral. They realised that such sombre occasions were often the only opportunities for the industry of old to gather, prompting them to create a more uplifting event to bring everyone together. And so, the Reunion Lunch was born.
With the last industry gathering more than 25 years ago, Noel and Earl began spreading the word and selected Tauranga as the venue, thanks to its central location, timing, and proximity to other attractions, allowing attendees to enjoy a long weekend. Initially, they booked a room for 80 guests, but with the guest list now closer to 200, a larger space was needed!
Kylie Harris has played a key role in organising the event. She notes that the event's popularity reflects the time and effort Noel and Earl have dedicated to the industry.
“Noel and Earl have always maintained strong bonds with older jockeys,” says Kylie. “They make the effort to visit, stay connected for birthdays, funerals, and everything in between. Their dedication to relationships makes them perfect hosts for this event.”
Kylie also mentioned that attendees are traveling from all over the world, including the Philippines, Australia, Thailand, and the South Island.
They have had expressions of regret from some of the industry’s biggest names such as Jim Cassidy, Shane Dye and Chris Waller who are sad to be missing such an occasion.
Chris Waller, described by Kylie as someone who never forgets where he came from, was so supportive of the event that he’s contributed to the production of commemorative caps for the first 190 attendees.
The event will bring together up to five generations of racing participants, and Kylie believes it will be a unique experience for the industry.
“Our industry is fast-paced, and we rarely get the chance to celebrate and reflect before moving on to the next race,” she says. “It’s so important to celebrate our guests' contributions to the sport and recognise how they’ve shaped its future.”
Kylie adds, “Some attendees were involved before racing became a professional sport, when there was less money and everyone travelled together, staying at each other’s homes. They were significant parts of each other’s lives. We’re excited to hear the incredible stories that will be shared on Saturday.
“History deserves to be celebrated, and we’re thrilled to be part of an event that will do just that!”
Noel, Kylie, and Earl have dedicated countless hours to organising this year’s event, and they hope its success will inspire others to step up and carry the idea forward, ensuring it remains a beloved occasion for the industry for many years to come.
The team here at Racing Tauranga is excited to be part of such a meaningful event and looks forward to witnessing the genuine love for the horse and the sport that will fill the day. We can’t wait to see the faces—and hear the stories—on Saturday.
To learn more about the day, use the link below.