The Trackside commentator internship programme continues to pay dividends for racing’s future, with Dan Fogarty stepping into a full-time role as the commentator for the Southern region.

Fogarty (23) called the Southland Guineas thoroughbred meeting at Ascot Park in Invercargill on Saturday, and followed that up with the Gore Harness Racing Club grass track meeting on Sunday. 

Fogarty’s dulcet tones will become familiar for meetings broadcast from Southland and Otago, as he picks up the role from contractor Craig Rail. 

“Dan has followed in the footsteps of our premier Canterbury racecaller Matt Cross who also gained opportunities through the Trackside commentator internship,” Entain Australia and New Zealand’s Head of Live Racing, Kyle Bettler, said. 

“His ability to switch effortlessly between codes, his professional calls, and his ability to find a winner for punters means now is the right time for him to step into a full-time position.” 

Fogarty will move permanently to Invercargill later this year following a long-planned holiday to the Northern Hemisphere. 

It’s also been confirmed that Craig Rail will be returning to New Zealand following a brief period back in his native Australia and will be available from mid-March. 

“Craig has been a contractor throughout his tenure with Entain and will remain on our books providing important commentary and studio support on an as-required basis,” Bettler said. 

Central Districts greyhound racing commentator Mark ‘Roso’ Rosanowski will finish up in his role at the end of February due to the proposed closure of the New Zealand greyhound racing industry later this year. 

Rosanowski has been an ever-present part of the greyhound racing industry for more than 30 years and has performed many other presenting roles outside of his greyhound commentary during that time.  

“Roso’s passion and knowledge cannot be understated, and he has also been a tremendous role model and mentor for other commentators and presenters in the Trackside stable,” Bettler said. 

Rosanowski, in departing Trackside, reflected on the people in the racing industry he has met across the decades. 

“I have considered it a privilege getting to know the people across all aspects of racing,” Rosanowski said.   

 "I'm indebted to entrenched industry participants who accepted me coming in from the outside, not part of an established racing family, and being able to talk and interview people, some of whom I had considered idols. It’s an industry like no other, and I have loved being a part of it ever since heading along to the races as a youngster more than 50 years ago. 

“The past 10 years or so of greyhound commentating has been one of my career highlights, and a culmination of the passion for greyhound racing that I first discovered at QEII Park in the 1980s. 

"I'm thankful to have been involved in all three codes at various stages and witnessed some of the best equine and canine performances of the last three decades first hand." 

"To all the Trackside presentation team and especially the crew on the other side of the camera who worked long hours to make me look and sound as good as possible, a heartfelt thank you,” Rosanowski said.