Alexandra Park, Auckland facts for kids
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| Location | Epsom, Auckland |
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| Owned by | Auckland Trotting Club |
| Date opened | 1890 |
| Race type | Harness racing |
| Course type | Limestone/crusher dust, right-handed (clockwise); circumference 1010 metres |
| Notable races | Auckland Trotting Cup |
Alexandra Park is a well-known racecourse located in the Epsom area of Auckland, New Zealand. It is the main home for the Auckland Trotting Club. This large park includes a special track for harness racing, a big conference centre, and a new urban village that is being built.
Alexandra Park hosts many important harness races throughout the year. These include the famous Auckland Trotting Cup and the Rowe Cup. It is also where you can find the New Zealand Trotting Hall of Fame and a museum.
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History of Alexandra Park
Alexandra Park was named after Queen Alexandra. People believe this spot was where Auckland's first organised horse races happened in 1842. Back then, it was part of a large farm owned by William Potter and was known as Potter's Paddock.
How the Park Started
In 1887, a tramways company bought the land. They used it for their draught horses. However, they agreed that the land could still be used for sports like football, rugby, and cricket. The Auckland Trotting Club started holding regular meetings here in 1890.
Ten years later, in 1900, Queen Alexandra's eldest son, the Duke of Cornwall, visited. To celebrate his visit, the racecourse was officially named Alexandra Park. The parkland around it was named Cornwall Park. Around this time, the first grandstand was built for spectators.
Modernizing the Racecourse
The Auckland Trotting Club bought the property in 1912. Since then, they have continuously updated the facilities. They also made space for other events and activities. A popular tradition in Auckland has been the "Friday Night Trots." These are harness races held under lights, and they have been happening since 1958.
In recent years, the club has worked to improve its business. They want to make sure Alexandra Park continues to be successful. They also want to ensure a strong future for harness racing in the northern part of New Zealand.
What are the Park's Goals?
The club has three main goals for Alexandra Park:
- To make harness racing exciting and popular again in the area.
- To grow the business and attract new people to the park.
- To increase the value of the club's existing properties.
These efforts have been recognized. In 2015, Alexandra Park won a top award for its excellent strategy and planning. They were also finalists for awards in marketing and customer service in 2016.
New Developments and Activities
The club has also made some big changes to help trainers. They merged with the Franklin Trotting Club. This provides training facilities in Pukekohe to help reduce costs for trainers. They also offer special deals to encourage more people to race at Alexandra Park.
In 2015, a training centre was built at the park for The Auckland Blues. This is a professional rugby team.
Many other businesses and groups use Alexandra Park. These include the famous Cirque du Soleil, a Chinese restaurant called Grand Park, Sport Auckland, and a day-care centre. There are also a Caltex gas station and a Burger King nearby. On the racecourse itself, The Alex Eatery is a restaurant run by the club. The park's TAB (where people place bets) has the highest turnover in the country.
The conference centre at Alexandra Park has also been greatly improved. They have upgraded the facilities and catering services. Because of these improvements, more companies, public groups, clubs, and schools are using the centre for events. Alexandra Park is also hosting more race-night events and hospitality options. They aim to attract people who want a special experience.
