There are 11 thoroughbred racetracks south of the Waitaki River.
Otago has six thoroughbred tracks, though only two are used consistently during the year.
Wingatui and Oamaru are the mainstay of the industry's race meetings.
The Omakau, Cromwell, Kurow and Waikouaiti racetracks are used only once a year by thoroughbred race clubs.
Harness racing clubs also use the facilities, but also only once a year.
The four racecourses are administered and maintained by groups made up largely of volunteers.
The argument for shutting down racecourses that sit idle for much of the year is countered by the popularity of their meetings.
The four tracks each hold meetings over the Christmas-New Year Otago racing circuit and those meetings attract some of the province's biggest crowds and highest betting turnover.
Up to 5000 racing fans and holiday-makers travel to the meetings.
At other times of the year, standard race days in the province can struggle to attract 500 racegoers.Southland's five racetracks are used more consistently.
The Invercargill, Gore and Riverton courses hold the bulk of the province's meetings.
The Winton and Wyndham tracks have traditionally held the least number of race meetings and that number is declining. Wyndham will soon be used only for harness racing, after the local thoroughbred club elected to move its racing to Gore.
The Wairio Jockey Club was one of two clubs to race at Winton, but it has moved its annual meeting to Invercargill.
