With Christmas and New Year now behind us, the business of getting on with the transformation of the racing industry lies ahead. Prior to Christmas the NZTR Board met to discuss the Racing Indu...

While much of the country is winding down to enjoy a relaxing holiday, I am well aware that, for many of those involved in our industry this is one of our busiest periods. It is timely to take thi...

The focus of most within the industry was on parliament on Tuesday afternoon when the Racing Industry Bill had its first reading. The Bill will now go to select committee with a reporting date o...

The week began with another update from RITA chair Dean McKenzie covering performance, Reform update and the announcement of RACEFORM. The full update can be read here In a discussion around wag...

This week kicked off with NZTR’s conference and Annual General Meeting in Wellington on Monday. Proceedings were opened by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Racing The Right Hon. Wi...

Earlier this week the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Racing Winston Peters tabled the RITA Annual report in parliament, leading into Thursday’s AGM in Petone. I am sure we can all ag...

There has been plenty of good news in the past week when it comes to numbers. The digital reach of our LOVERACING.NZ brand continues to grow, with our October figures extremely impressive when co...

With the NZTR Annual General Meeting due next month, today saw the release of our Annual Report for 2018-19. The report was sent to clubs, recognised industry organisations and other stakeholders ...

There has been a little lull with my weekly blog while I have been overseas, but it is pleasing to be able to resume regular transmission this week with the news that our Thoroughbred Welfare Guid...

The topic of whip use has been to the fore again lately, driven by comments from trainer Shaune Ritchie on the TAB’s Weigh In programme a few weeks back. As Shaune so rightly notes, it is a ...

Murray Baker, recipient of the NZTR Outstanding Contribution to Racing Award, is interviewed by Caitlin O'Sullivan. The more observant will have noticed a small but subtle change to the NZTR logo...

The early part of the past week was taken up with business around the Asian Pattern Committee (APC), which met in Japan.The good news to come out of this was the fact that the Wellington Racing Cl...

There was some interesting news out of Australia this week regarding the use of whips in races. What was encouraging was the fact it was driven by those involved in the industry, rather than activ...

As regular readers of the Blog will know, NZTR has spent a considerable amount of time working to develop our thoroughbred welfare guidelines. The guidelines, which are on our website, went out f...

The closure of venues as part of phase one of our venue report saw us promise to enter discussions with those clubs impacted as to how and where they might race this season. We have lived up to th...

This week’s blog is all about numbers and financial performance – a big thank you to all trainers, jockeys, stable hands, track riders and breeders for your commitment to the sport and...

Getting our racing in front of more eyeballs is a key focus for NZTR as we strive to grow the industry. The recent announcement from RITA that the TAB had signed an agreement with Spark Sport whic...

Attendees at the Pukekohe Park Ride to Time on Thursday enjoyed their day at the track. We are in the middle of the winter school holidays and by the end of next week more than 70 school-aged kids...

A visit to Hawke’s Bay at the end of June meant I was able to take part in the region’s annual foal walk which included a visit to six farms in the region. A large and enthusiastic g...

There were some encouraging figures around starter numbers and turnover on thoroughbred racing last week. Some $7.36m was bet domestically on NZ Thoroughbred races, add to this approximately $10m...

Much of the industry’s focus this week has been on parliament as the Racing Reform Bill went through the legislative process. The Bill, which will see the Racing Industry Transitional Agency...

Where would racing be without the volunteers? It is a refrain I often hear and, as I move around the country meeting with the enthusiastic and dedicated people who give freely of their time to th...

This week James Dunne and I represented our industry arguing our case in front of the select committee as the Racing Reform Bill moved through the parliamentary process. As we stressed to the memb...

Photo: Peter Rubery, Racing images One area where NZTR has been active lately, which has possibly flown under the radar, is around education. We have a number of people currently engaged in a vari...

This week you may have noticed the appearance of videos on our website and social channels from track managers leading up to their race days. This is something which had its origins from the recen...

Salvation Army Welfare Support Staff team member Andrew McKerrow photo: Supplied Last week I was able to address the annual racecourse managers’ conference in Napier about a range of actions...

How do you get your racing information? Chances are, if you are reading this blog, then you, like many others now get the information you want, online. You are not alone. The worldwide trend is t...

Bernard Saundry happy to meet Sir Patrick Hogan, Sir Tristram and Rick Williams Photo: Supplied This blog has met with an interesting response since I first started it earlier this year. It&rsquo...

The news the New Zealand racing industry has been waiting for was released earlier this week when Racing Minister, the Rt Hon Winston Peters made an announcement regarding the introduction of two ...

Connections of Wekaforce Photo: The Galloping Wekas I’m told there are some people out there who seem to think that the office at NZTR is just one giant sausage roll-fuelled morning tea. I...

Last Saturday was one out of the box at Awapuni with stunning weather and good, competitive racing. The Group One Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes race day is one of the highligh...

Gaul when he raced and Janova in the arena - the emigrant excelling in his new life. Photo: supplied In this blog post I’d like to give you an example of the great feedback we receive from ...

If you would like to donate to the official Victim Support fund, click here - Christchurch Silver Fern by Pat Campbell Like most people I was shocked and saddened by the act of terrorism in Chris...

First off, this week I’d like to address a matter which was raised during every discussion we had at the venue plan meetings around the country. No matter where we went the subject of stakes...

This week’s release of the Women in Racing survey was timely, given we mark International Women’s Day on Friday 8 March. The theme for International Women’s Day 2019 is: “T...

This week’s blog is a little later than normal as I’ve been at the first couple of North Island venue plan meetings. We are now in the final straight as the South Island meetings wrapp...

The past week has seen the first raft of meetings as we seek consultation around the recently released Venue Plan. First cabs off the rank were Riccarton, Wingatui and Gore, with all meetings well...

Here’s the first of my blog posts addressing key topics around our industry. Last week I saw an impressive interview on Breakfast TV with Worksafe NZ CEO Nicole Rosie talking about the shock...