Bayleys International Raceday is THIS Saturday and we couldn’t be more excited. This year sees the day soar to new heights with the addition of the hugely popular St Paddy’s Day Lawn Party – we hope you find a pot of gold as a result of your days’ punting!
The highlight of our racing season here at Tauranga, the event also features the 54th running of the Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy, a relationship that’s very close to our hearts at Racing Tauranga.
Our relationship with the Japan Racing Association kicked off in 1971 with the inaugural running of the Japan Trophy Race. The relationship between our Clubs was cemented with the creation of the New Zealand Trophy Race, run at Nakayama Racecourse in Tokyo, this year celebrating its 43rd running due to a biannual schedule earlier on in the race’s history.
To add further excitement to the day (as if it needed any more!), the winning trainer of this year’s race will receive a trip for two to Tokyo to attend the G2 New Zealand Trophy Exchange Race on Saturday 12th April 2025 – something new to this year.
Racing Tauranga Chairman, Michael Bayly, highlighted that this incredible prize is the result of a long-standing relationship between the racing jurisdictions.
“The 54th running of the G2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy Race is Racing Tauranga’s highest profile race and we’re thrilled to be acknowledging the support of trainers throughout New Zealand in this way.
“Our relationship with the JRA is one that has been in place for some time and we really value the link between our Club and Japan.
“This latest initiative will continue to strengthen the bond between us, allowing us to celebrate thoroughbred racing in Japan with some key stakeholders from the New Zealand industry.
“We’re looking forward to rewarding our winning trainer with a trip to Japan to experience the incredible Japanese hospitality and, of course, attend the races to see the New Zealand Trophy Race take place.”
The Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy has an illustrious history with many high profile winners including the popular Sir Slick who claimed the Group 2 feature twice. It was won last season by Diss Is Dramatic for trainer, Lisa Latta, with the raceday attended by New Zealand Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon.
Fields are out now for the G2 feature and with G1 winners like Waitak and Aegon as well as Karaka Millions 3YO runner-up and G2 winner, Wild Night, making his NZ return, the stakes are high and the racing will be top-tier. Time will tell which runner has the luck of the Irish on their side!
In addition to all that quality racing, we’ve pulled out all the stops and have free kids’ activities, Irish music & Guinness bar, live performances of the national anthems of NZ and Japan as well as a spectacular Kapa Haka performance all lined up for your enjoyment. A day with something for everyone, it’s got the added perk of also being FREE general admission with select hospitality tickets still available.
Join us to experience one of Tauranga’s premier sporting experiences.