The Auckland Racing Club began in 1874 when the Auckland Jockey Club and the Auckland Turf Club amalgamated. Although racing actually began some 32 years earlier at the Epsom Racecourse or Epsom Downs as it was called then. Ellerslie Racecourse has first class and even award winning facilities and is well utilized with other events other than racing ? at these times it is known as the Ellerslie Function and Convention Centre.

