The organisers made use of the venue’s unique spaces to create distinct experiences.

Since its inception in 1991, the New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards has become an annual tradition for New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. 

In September 2024, the Awards evening took place at Mystery Creek Events Centre, celebrating the achievements of the 2023-24 season. The black-tie event honoured excellence in the industry for both horse and human athletes, and featured a formal awards presentation, a fine dining experience, and a lively after-party.

“We aimed to create a memorable evening that not only celebrated the successes of the past season but also offered an enjoyable and fun experience for all guests,” said the event organisers.

The choice of Mystery Creek Events Centre was based on several important factors. “We needed a venue that could accommodate our guest list, offer different spaces for the various elements of the evening, and provide the technical capabilities for live presentations and entertainment,” they explained. 

The venue's reputation for hosting prestigious events, its aesthetic appeal, and the convenience of free parking were also key considerations. While the venue's location, being slightly outside of town, could have posed a logistical challenge, this was easily overcome by arranging a bus service which was well utilised by guests. The overall advantages of the Waikato venue, based in the heart of Thoroughbred country, made it the perfect choice.

The organisers made use of the venue’s unique spaces to create distinct experiences. Guests entered through the foyer into a cocktail-style reception area set up in the Convention Centre for the first session of the Awards. This environment was created to encourage hosts and guests to interact and feel welcomed.
 
Guests then transitioned into the main hall, where a three-course seated dinner was served, alongside the remaining Award presentations. During the formalities, the cocktail area was seamlessly transformed into a vibrant after-party space, giving guests a place to continue celebrating after dinner. 

Additional areas, such as the upstairs Convention Suites, were used as a lounge/green room for entertainers to relax when they weren’t on stage, while a themed hallway led Award winners to the media marquee for live interviews and a photo wall.

The event utilised several of Mystery Creek's preferred suppliers, including caterers who delivered a well-received dining experience and bar service.

Feedback from guests about the event was positive, with most commenting on the atmosphere created, and the efficient running of the evening. The transitions from the cocktail reception to the seated dinner and then the after-party were particularly well-done.

“The venue was perfectly suited to our vision, and the staff were responsive and supportive throughout the planning and execution stages,” said the organisers. 

“We would absolutely recommend this venue for similar functions. The communication from the Mystery Creek Venue team was excellent, they were a pleasure to work with, and the flexibility of the space allowed us to create the event we had envisaged.”