The first race meeting was held there in January 1906.[1]
In November 2022 it was reported that a $12.4 million investment from the New Zealand Government's Infrastructure Acceleration Fund would be used in a new 850 home housing development and shopping centre on Trentham Racecourse land. Mayor of Upper Hutt and Wellington Racing Club president Wayne Guppy said it would future proof the Club allowing it to upgrade its facilities and continue to operate, as well as boosting the Upper Hutt economy. Tim Savell, the chief executive of RACE Incorporated, which administers racing clubs in the lower North Island, including the Wellington Racing Club, said the proposed work would provide the club with income and much needed new facilities.[2]
Trentham was also the venue for the Wellington Derby between 1966 and 1986. Linda Jones won the 1979 Wellington Derby on Holy Toledo, likely becoming the first woman rider to win a Derby anywhere on the world.[5]
