Racing came to Cessnock about 1908 with the first track on the site where the Calvary Nursing Home stands on Wine Country Drive.

The Cessnock Racecourse Advisory Group along with Newcastle Jockey Club have set aside the day to honour and pay tribute to those people who helped the racing club through its pioneering days.

Thoroughbred racing at the present site began in 1925.

Some of those to be honoured were involved many decades ago in the formative days of the club, while others contributed in more recent years, especially with some of the major events conducted by the club.

Races on the program will carry their names and the club hopes to trace relatives who will be invited to the day.

NJC chief executive Matt Benson said the local advisory panel had exhaustively searched the “record books” and the final names will be announced closer to the meeting.

Meanwhile,  Benson said the recent Anzac Day meeting proved a huge success with the club happy with the family atmosphere provided along with tributes to the Anzacs and Light Horsemen from World War I with the unveiling of the “Bill the Bastard” warhorse.

He added that plans are to further boost the 2018 meeting with family entertainment, a re-enactment of a cavalry charge and tributes to our armed forces.

In other racing news, the panel is working on ways to attract local businesses for a special meeting and hospitality to promote their services and provide clients with a great day out.