Iconic IRT Harness Jewels return to Cambridge Raceway

Media Release on behalf of Cambridge Raceway

15 March 2021

The IRT Harness Jewels will return to Cambridge Raceway on Queen’s Birthday weekend with the feature race meeting taking place on Sunday June 6, 2021.

This season defining event, crowning harness racing’s champions, features the best age group races for pacers and trotters, with nine Group One races over 1609m worth a staggering $900,000 in total stakes money.

“We’re really excited to have this iconic race meeting back in Cambridge,” Cambridge Raceway CEO Dave Branch said.

“It’s a brilliant showcase of our industry and a great event for our Cambridge and Waipā community to enjoy and we’re looking forward to celebrating after a tough year.”

Cambridge Raceway was set to hold the 2020 edition of the IRT Harness Jewels last May, but the event was cancelled due to Covid-19.

The IRT Harness Jewels, which traditionally alternate annually between the North and South Islands, were last run at Cambridge Raceway in 2018 and then in Christchurch in 2019.

“We were really proud of what we achieved at the 2018 event,” Branch said. “We had over 4,000 guests on course which created an amazing atmosphere to compliment the top quality racing on the track.

“This year we’re aiming even higher with a range of experiences to light up the senses and hospitality options to impress and entertain.”

International equine airfreight company IRT, are sponsoring this event for the second time, and Branch is grateful for their support.

“IRT’s commitment to the harness racing industry is incredible, especially given the events of the past year, and we couldn’t pull off these major race meetings without their support,” he said.

“We were so disappointed we couldn’t bring our shared vision to life last year but we’re excited to be working with IRT once again.”

Hospitality options for IRT Harness Jewels 2021 include a luxury gourmet experience in the G.H. Mumm Marquee, viewing the action from the best seats in the house in the IRT Skyline Lounge, the relaxed atmosphere of The Clubhouse and the popup Speights Summit Ultra Bar for diehard sporting fans.

There will also be a food truck village, fashion on the field competition, the Cambridge Colts and Fillies Club with free children’s entertainment and an after party featuring the popular covers band The Wingmen.

“We know from 2018 that our hospitality packages will sell out again,” Branch said. “So this year we have a focus on improving the GA experience with the aim of getting another 1,000 people on course.”

General Admission tickets are $20 per person and free for under 18-year-olds and include a souvenir racebook and pen. GA tickets ordered online before Friday June 4 will also receive a $5 TAB betting voucher and drink voucher.

Supporting the race meeting are the IRT Harness Jewels 2021 Golf Day on Friday June 4 at the Cambridge Golf Course and the IRT Harness Jewels 2021 Eve Function on Saturday June 5, to be hosted by racing journalist Michael Guerin.

General admission and hospitality packages for IRT Harness Jewels 2021 are now on sale, visit www.cambridgeraceway.co.nz/harnessjewels for more info.