News

   Horses thundered along Castlepoint beach when the beach horse races were held for the first time in five years on Saturday. The popular beach races had been cancelled for the past five years because storms ruined racing conditions but the event had lost no momentum when more than 3000 people turned out to watch the racing on Saturday. Castlepoint Racing Club president Andy Pottinger said everyone was “buzzing” after the racing. The races were a family affair, with people sitting along the sea-wall having picnics while they watched, he said. “The crowd was happy, it was a great day.” Pennon, trained at Wanganui by Kevin Myers, won this year’s feature race the Castlepoint Cup. The race meeting dates back to 1872 when local station hands rode on farm hacks competing for bottles of rum and any stray coins. Destination Wairarapa marketing Manager Barb Hyde said the meeting was one of the most unique racing events in the country. The races this year coincided with the Trust House Balloons over Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival.