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Punters enjoy the sun and the racing at SkyCity’s Boxing Day Races at Ellerslie Racecourse.
A record number of people flocked to Ellerslie Racecourse for the Boxing Day races.
More than 14,000 people were counted at 2.30pm, and the number increased as the afternoon progressed, one of the largest crowds the racetrack has seen in more than a decade.
With much of the world still under tight Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, it is also likely to be one of the world’s biggest racing events in 2020.
Paul Wilcox, Auckland Racing Club CEO, said he was impressed by Aucklanders’ support.
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“After a long and peaceful winter, it’s great to see Auckland come back to life in time for summer.”
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The Boxing Day Races drew a record crowd this year.
Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis and his stable trainer Jamie Richards won six of the day’s 10 races.
Wilcox said it could be another Ellerslie record: “We have verified with several sources who have said that this is a feat that they have not seen accomplished on a first day here in their life.
“Either way, it is a very rare feat!”
Last year, race goers were greeted by animal rights protesters who lined the street, holding signs and shouting “racing kills.”
