Levin's history documented

Horse racing is full of stories of successes against the odds, but few New Zealand racing clubs have as many stories and triumphs to celebrate than the Levin Racing Club (LRC).

To make sure all these stories are recorded, the LRC announced at its Ryder Stakes meeting last Saturday that is has engaged local writer and racing enthusiast Lloyd Chapman to write the club's history.

While the LRC celebrates its 100 years of incorporation in 2016, racing in the Horowhenua region dates back as far as the 1850s.

From the challenges faced by the Horowhenua Hack Racing Club at the turn of the last century to the contentious decision by the club to move its racing operations to Otaki in 1990, the story has many downs as it does ups.

Club president David Archibald says the history is less about the events than the people behind the club, and their horses. "We have many local families part of racing in Levin such as the Ryders, Skeltons, Haighs, Prestons and O'Malleys,'' he said.

It was the vision of Levin people that saw the Levin Turf Classic become such and iconic event. The book should be a winner.''

Author Lloyd Chapman has already started researching the club's personalities and history.

It is hoped the book will be ready for publication in 2010.

Anyone interested in contributing material to the book is encouraged to contact Lloyd Chapman: history@levinracingclub.co.nz

- © Fairfax NZ News