History of the Infusion Catering, formerly Wanganui Function Centre

History of the Wanganui Jockey Club 1848 - 1998

The Wanganui Jockey Club is the oldest surviving New Zealand club still racing at the original venue. During October 1998, the club celebrated its 150th jubilee. A book tracing the history of the club was written by L Sole.

A tragic fire in 1997 meant the old grandstand was burnt to the ground, however out of the ashes has risen the Function Centre and its purpose built rooms suitable for modern meeting and function needs.

Irrelevant but fascinating information

1875 - 1876	This season Charles Elliot prepared the first Turf Register
1870's	More defined rules of racing were established
1880's	Introduction of the totalisator Elimination of flag starts and introduction of the strand barrier Emergence of Metropolitan Clubs
1890's	Introduction of paid handicappers, starters and club secretaries First Government intervention into racing Full-time trainers became well established The emergence of the N.Z.R.C.
1900	The English Jockey Club recognised the N.Z.R.C as a governing body Uniform Rules of Racing established throughout the country
1910	Bookmakers prohibited from betting in streets, licensed premises or any racecourse
1913 - 1914	Stipendiar Stewards appointed
1913	Assumed names to be registered with the N.Z.R.C Jockeys' apprenticeships extend to three years Disqualified horses in a race to be regarded as unplaced
1914 - 1918	WWI Racing days restricted
1915	Horses to be ridden out if they had a chance of getting first, second or third The Gaming Act amended so that convicted persons who had not re-offended could apply to be exempted
1916	First four horses to be weighed in
1920	All Hunt Clubs were allocated racing licenses
1920's	Redistribution and reduction of permits in some areas
1930's	The Depression
1939 - 1945	Racing days cut back Restrictions on the distance a horse float could travel Racehorses were not allowed on trains for a time. Passenger trains could not run to races either The military took over some racecourses Racing journalists were allowed to predict the outcome of races, and their columns were avidly followed Doubles were legalised Photo finishes introduced Apprentice schools were set up in different areas Special provisions were made for apprentices
1950's	The T.A.B. was set up Doping procedures were instigated
1960's	End of Post-war boom Betting climbed on the T.A.B., but stakes hardly moved from the fifties Horses and jockeys traveled to Australia for higher winnings Operating costs for all clubs rose steadily
1964	Trotting and galloping clubs sought tax relief
1966 - 1967	The wall market collapsed with the loss of traditional British markets for wool and beef The Government bought in a new budget with abolished food subsidies and raised customs duty on tobacco, alcohol and motor fuels
1969	Jackpots introduced but ceased in the early sixties because of security problems and Treasury's reaction to not getting gaming tax.
1970's	N.Z. Racing Authority established Women seeking or getting jockeys' licenses set The Establishment back on it's heels Classic races re-structured Owners and Trainers Federation contributed to the general welfare of the racing industry in this decade Video filming of races 7 day rule about the administering of drugs introduced Judicial panels organised on a district basis but supplemented on a district basis by members of other clubs judicial committees The 70 year old rule that required horses in the same ownership to be bracketed on the tote was deleted Midweek races with the facility for up to 10 races, the programme's were introduced for low grade runners Smaller clubs with only equalisator betting got on-course betting permits
1974	Computerised telephone betting began with all selling offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch linked to a central Wellington computer
1975	Trebles introduced
1976	Quinellas
1978	Introduction of computers into the industry
1979	Blood typing was in by now having become part of racing law and a laboratory was set up at Lincoln University. Later transferred to Massey
1980's	Increased in the number of horses being bred and raced
1981	New computerised fully integrated on and off course betting system N.Z.R.A took control of jurisdiction of licenses, dates and venues
1984	Programme and stakes restrictions
1987	Lotto introduced
2006	Wanganui Function Centre becomes Infusion Catering