RACING NEXT FRIDAY 30TH JULY - FIRST RACE 1.54. FREE ENTRY ON FRIDAY. PUNTERS CLUB FROM RACES 3 TO 7. $10 A SHARE. COME ALONG AND ENJOY A FRIDAY ARVO AT THE NEWCASTLE TROTS.

NOW is the time to join the Newcastle Harness Racing Club. We offer many beneftis to our members including

• a share in the club members horse LIVIN IT LOVIN IT , which made a winning debut for members [see news].
• discounts at the bar 
• free entry to a selected meeting
• random discounts in pacers restaurant    
• trips and lunch to some of our leading stables

To join down load a membership application form from our web site and send it away with your $22 payment.

Upcoming events.

• Xmas bookings are filling fast - give us a call to book your works party
• Melbourne Cup day - bookings are also open {and coming in} for our Melbourne cup day race meeting. Give us a call and we can send you an infomation pack

NURSES DAY AT THE TROTS
An invitation from the Newcastle Harness racing club

When: Thursday afternoon 18th November 2009. Starts 12.30. Lunch 1pm          

Refreshments  for sale. “A free glass of champers on arrival”
Entertainment.  Lucky door prizes ???? 1 person a race can ride on the mobile barrier - Punters club

RR [Dick} Osborn was inducted into the Hunter region Sporting Hall of Fame on Sunday 16th May. He became the first Trotting/harness racing inductee.
Dick Osborn is a living legend of the Hunter Valley Harness racing industry He followed his grand father and father, who were pioneers of the sport in the Newcastle region in the early 1920’s, into harness racing or as it was more commonly known then as trotting. Dick won the first race run at the first night meeting held in Newcastle at the Broadmeadow showground on the 16th December 1949. He was 19 years old at the time. He had only had a handful of drives at the time prior to that first night meeting. Newcastle was the second region in NSW to commence night racing only a few months after Harold Park in Sydney. Dick embarked on an incredible run of Hunter valley trainer and driver premierships winning 16 drivers premierships in succession and 17 trainer’s premiership in total. His driving career ended after a horrendous fall at a race meeting at Wyong in the early 1990’s. Dick Osborn went onto to fill a number of roles within the harness racing industry since his accident prevented him from driving. He continued to train horses. He was a breeder and owner of standardbred horses. Dick and his wife Carmel have continued the harness racing tradition with 10 children, many of which have gone onto to have a successful involvement in harness racing including trainer/driver sons Michael, Gerry, Paul, Charlie and daughters Lizabeth and Anne who had an administrative role for many years. Grandsons Luke Jennings and Josh Osborn are also involved in the harness racing industry with Josh currently leading the Newcastle junior driver’s premiership. Dick’s nephews Matt, Cameron and Anthony Davies have also entered the ranks of harness racing drivers. You can see the legacy he and his wife have created. Dick, now 80 years of age still has an administrative role {which he has held for several decades} with harness racing NSW as a supervisor at harness trials which are held every second Sunday at Cessnock. One of the most prestigious awards presented in harness racing each year in the Hunter Valley is the Dick Osborn Medal which is presented for outstanding service to the local harness racing industry. For a sport that had its origins some 90 years ago in this region, Dick Osborn is the ideal candidate to become the first ever Harness racing/Trotting inductee into the Hunter Valley Sporting Hall of Fame. He is an icon of the local harness racing industry. He is well respected and loved. He is still actively involved in his 80th year and he has established a dynasty that continues the Osborn family tradition. His record of 16 consecutive driver premierships and 17 over all trainers premiership is a mighty one.

Dick Osborn {left} pictured with his late brother Ray

Rules of NHRC members horse.

The Newcastle Harness racing club will from time to time as it sees fit either lease or purchase a horse {club horse} to race on behalf of the valid club members* of the NHRC.The executive of the NHRC and CEO will manage the affairs of the club horse on behalf of the club members. There will be no cost to members for the training and upkeep of the club horse NHRC will pay for any cost associated with the club horse for the time it is owned by the club

Any profits earned by the club horse will be used towards the training and upkeep of the club horse and any additional funds over and above the upkeep and training costs will be used towards club members promotions**

A local trainer who is a member of the club will be chosen by the executive to train the horse.

A local driver who is a member of the club will be chosen by the executive to drive the horse. In the first instance it will be the trainer. In the event the trainer and or driver is unable to train or drive the horse the executive can engage another local trainer and or driver who is a member of the club to undertake those duties.

The NHRC will design and pay for a set of club colours for the driver to wear. The club colours will incorporate the club logo. The board of the NHRC will decide prior to each years memberships being due the terms of the continuation of the club horse to race on behalf of club members with a view to EITHER continuing or not continuing to race the horse for the benefit of paid up members.

*valid members are those members who have paid the appropriate fee at the appropriate time of year to be a member of the NHRC including life members and must be over 18 years of age
** members promotions can include such things as free entry to race meetings- BBQ’s at the track – complimentary drinks –track side presentations and or photos with the horse should it win race/s and other promotions organised by the NHRC on behalf of club members.