First TAB New Zealand Board appointments announced

Racing Minister Grant Robertson has announced the first members of the TAB NZ Board.

“This Board will progress from the excellent work done by the interim board, put in place in August 2020,” Robertson said.

“The TAB Board was created under the Racing Act passed in 2020. The Act outlines a process for appointing the board through the establishment of a selection panel to make recommendations to the Minister of Racing.

“This includes three people nominated by the racing codes and up to four other members who have a range of knowledge and experience outlined in the Act.

“The selection panel has taken particular care to work thoroughly through the process to identify suitable candidates. I thank them for their work,” Robertson said.

“I am excited to have the new Board in place. This is a significant step for TAB New Zealand. I also want to thank the interim Board for the work it has done to help get us to this point.”

The TAB NZ Board comprises Mark Stewart (Chair), Anna Stove (Deputy Chair), Bill Birnie, Paul Bittar, Jason Fleming, Wendie Harvey, and Raewyn Lovett. Mr Birnie, Mr Bittar and Mr Fleming are the nominees of the racing codes.

• Mark Stewart has considerable business and governance background, including in sports and recreation.
• Anna Stove was a member of the interim Board, and provides continuity to the new Board. She brings strong commercial acumen and racing sector knowledge.
• Bill Birnie has extensive governance experience in the racing and sport sectors, and in audit and risk governance.
• Paul Bittar brings governance and executive experience in the racing and sport sectors, both in Australia and New Zealand, with particular knowledge of wagering.
• Jason Fleming has worked across all aspects of Class 4 gaming and has racing industry experience at executive and governance level.
• Wendie Harvey is currently a Gambling Commissioner and has a legal background, with strong experience in strategy, business and culture transformation.
• Raewyn Lovett is currently a Director at Sport NZ and has significant sports administration, as well as commercial and corporate law experience.

The Board will commence on 1 August 2021 and has been appointed for a term of three years, ending 31 July 2024.

 

Bergerson appointed assistant trainer at Te Akau

Former Sunline Trust Scholarship recipient Sam Begerson has been appointed assistant trainer to Jamie Richards at Te Akau Racing.

Te Akau Principal David Ellis has been impressed with the 27-year-old since he has joined the racing arm of the operation, and he is pleased to offer the young horseman the new opportunity.

“Sam is an outstanding young man, a fine example of passion and professionalism, and comes from a family with a strong and generational background in working with horses,” Ellis said.

“Horses are the cornerstone of our business and we strive to attain the best we can for our owners. We need the best quality horses but I can’t stress enough the importance of having the right people involved as well. It doesn’t matter what business or industry you’re in, success is generally determined by how professional and talented your staff are and at Te Akau, we’re fortunate to have the very best.”

Bergerson hails from a racing family, with his father, Roydon, and grandfather, Herb, both trainers.

Trainer Jamie Richards is looking forward to working closely with Bergerson as his new assistant.

“Sam has played an important part in our team since joining Te Akau and has really made his mark in the past 12 months,” Richards said. “I look forward to welcoming him on 1 August as our assistant trainer.

“I thank Dave (Ellis) and Karyn (FentonEllis) for sharing my belief in Sam’s capability, and he’s a very well liked member of our team.”

Bergerson is excited about the opportunity to take on a leadership role with Te Akau.

“I was both surprised and excited when David and Karyn first told me. I see it as a massive opportunity, I appreciate the trust they have in me, and even to be considered for the role is a great thrill,” he said.

“I feel honoured to be assistant trainer in such a prestigious racing organisation. It’s still to sink in, it’s a bit overwhelming and a bit daunting, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

New $2 million race for Sydney Spring Carnival

Racing NSW has announced that a new race, A$2 million The Invitation (1400m), will be run in October 2021, headlining several enhancements to the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival.

The Invitation will be run for fillies and mares over a distance of 1400m at Royal Randwick on Saturday, 23 October 2021.

The field for The Invitation will exclusively comprise 12 starters invited by a panel convened by Racing NSW. Invitations will be extended to fillies and mares from across Australia and New Zealand, and the race will be run under a set-weight and penalty scale.

The Sydney Spring Carnival will also be further boosted with the following prizemoney increases and additional new races:

- George Main Stakes rises from $500,000 to $1 million

- Hill Stakes increased from $500,000 to $1 million

- New 2300m handicap on The Hunter raceday with prizemoney of $300,000

- New 1000m handicap on The Gong raceday with prizemoney of $300,000

“As we head towards The Everest and The Golden Eagle, The Invitation will provide a further highlight to spring racing in Sydney with a unique formulation of the field by invitation only,” Racing NSW Chairman Russell Balding said.

“The Invitation also provides the Sydney Spring Carnival with a marquee race for fillies and mares.

“The addition of The Invitation and further targeted prizemoney increases consolidates and capitalises on the development and enhancement of spring racing in Sydney over the past five years.

“The Hill Stakes will be run for the 100^th time and it is fitting that this race be commemorated with prizemoney of $1 million where we are confident of attracting some of the best middle-distance horses in Australasia.

“Further, running the George Main Stakes at $1 million recognises this race in its own right and also provides a superb progression for horses stepping up in distance to 2000 metres or contesting the Epsom for record prizemoney in 2021.”