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It would be interesting to see a breakdown of the number of mares being bred by the big studs, compared to the so-called hobby breeders

It's a tool to assist in achieving the objectives.

so the headline currently on the hrnz website is confidence returns,largest breeding increase in 16 years. hey,i'm not saying its not a good thing numbers are slightly up,but what is obvious is HRNZ are overplaying how significant the progress is. They could have run a headline that said breeding numbers 2nd lowest in history and that would have been just as true. Peden and steele talk about stabalisation of breeding numbers being so important and i get that,but its also very obvious that there had to be a point where numbers hit rock bottom. But anyone who thinks the numbers are good,as indicated by the headline,must be kidding themselves. all that story on hrnz is,is positive spin. i'm not saying i don't get why they have run that story,its just they have again way oversold it. lets remember HRNZ are throwing money around like theres no tomorrow and that includes substanial money being used to incentivise breeding. personally i just don't get why they can't see big holes in how they are dealing with the industry,including breeding incentives. Hrnz should be focusing on creating an environment where breeders have the confidence to continue breeding without the need for hrnz subsidising. And what happens if and when they can no longer keep stake levels at their current level because they have spent all the money trying to give an impression things are better than they really are. And i note they said the sires $5000 or under was the main reason the breeding number rose. Up by 231 on the previous year. But of course that also meant the sires over $5000 were down by 132. now that harness 5000 does seem to have worked for hrnz. I have no idea why anyone with much sense would breed to a harness 5000 on the basis of that it will be eligible for a one off race once a year worth $60,000. But people seem to think like that. My guess is yes there may be that one race they could aim to start in 4 years time but while they realistically have a very small chance of starting in may still be the same,every other race they are running in throughout the year could and probably will be less than what the current stakes are because hrnz is overspending to create that false impression. . As i said one other time,seeing more breed because of the harness 5000 is like watching the people silly enough to breed to nz stallions because hrnz said they would be running for bonuses in years to come,which of course they cancelled beofre anyone got that chance who had bred. But hey,hrnz seem to have sold people on that,so that was a win for hrnz.

Gamma, it's obvious a discussion (I was going to say argument but refrained) with you about this is futile. Only the future will tell who was right or wrong. My understanding is that when the Entain deal was signed, it was conditional on NZ introducing Geo-blocking (which Australia have had for years).The idea/thinking was that that would create a large boost in wagering (I seem to recall a figure of $40m being talked about) to replace for the money that Entain is putting in now. Given that HRNZ have just announced that turnovers are actually down on a reduced turnover of last year, and the year before that etc., that seems to have been proven to be pie in the sky. As I've said before, we don't have generous State Governments of billionaires to help...ALL, I repeat, ALL our money comes from wagering, hence my comments on Slot Racing, which, as does Cup Week almost every year, run at a substantial loss.

It's not the Entain money that will 'Stop' the industry . They are the one's propping it up with spare back pocket cash at the moment. NZ and Australia. blatant mismanagement is JUST Not Correct. they're helping out in hour of need. And as The Galah correctly says , SPortsBetting is the go these days for them , and horse racing is just like a side dessert if you like , that they don't really need. It's a TWILIGHT industry . NZ especially has TWILIGHT participants. I can't believe Ricky May coming back again , nor Barry Purdon the other day. Dr Chin . really ? who's gunna lose money betting on them ? not you or I. didn't get enough youngsters involved is the HUUUGEE knife in the back for NZ harness. I agree Fully with you Brodster that the mile racing and smaller field's are quite boring. commonly run in Aus every day of the week. and you have advocating keeping them to a minimum in NZ as a spectacle or a Betting prospect. NZ has a GREAT VAriety of RACES put on by HRNZ 9cmpared to Aus) and Caters for All their participants. THE PARTICIPANTS are just as Important as the Punters to keep it going. No Participants = No Racing = You're washed Up. ENTAIN and HRNZ are handling it to keep it going. And you know this. you're just being mean really not appreciating the efforts . we'll lose heaps on the Interdominion but you still need these Pinnalcle events to keep people like Seymour interested ( as well as all the 5 day to day meetings we run each and every week. HRNZ does it better than all our OZ states , except NSW HR which look after their participants magnificently across the board and hopefully at a profit. For your tiny HRNZ industry the results achieved are Just amazing really. fancy people grizzling they put in 200-300 thousand ( a pittance to Entain) to run the feature Slot TROT of Australasia? , of the world nearly? . with some of the world's best trotters EVER SEEN , yet this thread says Call it off ?????????????????. I give up mate. It's like calling off the Olympics 100m because BOLT was too fast for them . 🤣😆. forget the spectacle 😉

After Disco Time suffered his first career defeat in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park, his connections are hoping for a fresh start to his 4-year-old season March 7 in the Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.View the full article

Thanks. That's enlightening. Just I didn't recall that term being in the ToR objectives for the project.

Did it lose momentum you mean? 1 l behind at 150M...1/2 L at 100M..head behind 30M out...it had momentum alright and was going to win a head....after being carted 3/5 widths out after another look 0.01 sec behind at the post...call it a DH in olde school lingo of course subjective...BUT didn't even rate a mention in the report WOEFUL

It’s been a successful New Zealand raid for the Gavin Bedggood-trained Kingswood, and the grey entire will be looking to end it on a high when he heads to Ellerslie on Saturday. The son of Roaring Lion won first-up in New Zealand on Boxing Day at Ellerslie in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) before finishing runner-up to Legarto in last month’s Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa. The ledger is now one apiece between the pair, with Legarto running third in the Zabeel Classic, and Bedggood is hoping Kingswood can once again have the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained mare’s measure when they return to Ellerslie on Champions Day to contest the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). “I have got full respect for her and she beat us fair and square last start,” Bedggood said. “We are racing back right-handed, which I know is my horse’s advantage, and hopefully back on a track with a little bit more of a forgiving surface can help us.” Bedggood has been rapt with what has turned into a lucrative campaign and he said he would love to return to New Zealand in the future if the opportunity presented itself. “It’s been a well worthwhile trip, and we have been very well looked after,” he said. “Mike Rogers, who has accommodated us for the last 11 weeks at Pukekohe, has bent over backwards to help us. It has been good. “I was over there a week leading up to Christmas and I did 10 days after the sales and all my riders have done a two-week block each. It has been a little bit testing in that regard, but it has been a fruitful trip, and I would have no hesitation doing it again.” Kingswood is set to return to Australia following Saturday’s race and Bedggood is looking forward to tackling some elite-level targets on home soil with the six-year-old, but he has yet to lock down what they will be. “He will fly out on Sunday and head back to Victoria,” he said. “He will be nominated for the Australian Cup (Gr.1, 2000m) and a few different races in Sydney, but we might put him aside and prep him up for Brisbane.” While he will be chasing Group One glory and the lion’s share of the $1 million purse on offer in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes, Bedggood will also have a couple of runners at Flemington on Saturday. Jennilala will be seeking to defend her crown in the Gr.3 Matron Stakes (1600m), while in form gelding Castellar will contest the Herald Sun Plate (1100m). “Jennilala won that race 12 months ago,” Bedggood said. “She is deep into her campaign whereas when she went into it last year she was first-up. I am hopeful more than confident of her winning, but she ran well a fortnight ago. “Castellar is in great form. He was gallant in defeat last start, he probably went a bit too quick. Although it is a step up in grade, he drops in weight, and he will be very competitive in that race.” View the full article

Burgeoning thoroughbred giant Yulong Investments has made a splash in New Zealand this season, buying up the nation’s top three-year-olds, and while they have already been rewarded with instant success, they are favoured to have plenty more on Champions Day at Ellerslie on Saturday. Zhang Yuesheng’s Victoria-based operation has purchased a quartet of Kiwi three-year-olds in the last six months, and they have tasted topline success courtesy of Well Written (Written Tycoon) in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Ohope Wins (NZ) (Ocean Park), who led home a Yulong quinella in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) last month. While Ohope Wins has crossed the Tasman in a bid to add to her elite-level tally under leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller, New Zealand Oaks runner-up Autumn Glory (NZ) (Ocean Park) and Well Written have remained in New Zealand to contest the Gr.1 HKJC World Pool New Zealand Derby (2400m) and $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) respectively on Champions Day. Autumn Glory will be joined in the Derby by That’s Gold (Lucky Vega), who will carry Yulong’s silks for the first time after they purchased him following his dominant victory in last month’s Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m). Well Written and That’s Gold have a particularly close connection with Yulong, with the pair being by resident stallions Written Tycoon and Lucky Vega respectively, while That’s Gold was bred by the farm, and Well Written was purchased by Yulong’s sales and nominations manager Harry King as a weanling in Australia on behalf of his brother Benji. She was subsequently on sold through Brighthill Farm’s 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus to trainer Stephen Marsh and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock, and the King brothers have been enjoying watching her meteoric rise as a three-year-old. Harry King had the pleasure of purchasing a share of her back, on behalf of his employer, ahead of her New Zealand 1000 Guineas success last November, and she continued on her upward trajectory, subsequently winning the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) and $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), and capturing the attention of racing enthusiasts on both sides of the Tasman. She now heads into The NZB Kiwi on Saturday, representing TAB’s slot, as a dominant $1.20 favourite, and like many, King is hoping she can continue her winning ways this weekend. “It is a very exciting weekend for Benji and I and the whole team involved in selecting her,” King said. “Benji gave me a bit of a brief to find some nice foals, he was unable to make it to the sale (in Australia), and we were very fortunate to get her and bring her back to New Zealand. “She is the first Group One winner by Written Tycoon for Mr Zhang (Yulong principal). For me to be involved in purchasing her with Dylan Johnson and Stephen Marsh privately was extra exciting.” King said he took particular satisfaction from her Karaka Millions win where he was trackside to watch her triumph, with the bonus of Benji training a winner on the undercard. “I was speaking to Benji during the week and I think what has hit home is after the Karaka Millions I opened social media and saw Chris Waller, Peter Moody and Gai Waterhouse all commenting on Well Written,” he said. “That gave us a bit of excitement, seeing those people that we look up to all talking about a horse that we purchased.” While the brothers didn’t retain Well Written to race, she has helped raise the profile of Benji’s business, Foxhill Thoroughbreds, and given them the confidence to continue to invest in bloodstock. “The amount of business he has gotten out of it in terms of marketing and promotion is great,” Harry King said. “Even off this sale he has been sent two horses by David Digney, who bred Well Written. “We have purchased three or four horses over the past 12 months, two of those at Karaka that sold out straight away. We got a nice colt that we purchased out of Book 2 that we have put a lot of friends in, and he is a nice, sharp two-year-old looking horse and we will be expecting him to run in the Karaka Millions next year.” While King is particularly close to Well Written’s journey, he has also been watching Yulong’s other recent New Zealand purchases with interest, and he is pleased to see his employer investing heavily in his homeland. “As a proud Kiwi, and someone who works for Mr Zhang, I take great pride in seeing what he is doing over there,” King said. “Being brought up in New Zealand and a former employee of NZB (New Zealand Bloodstock), it makes me proud to see him going full force into New Zealand and supporting an array of trainers. We are not just supporting one trainer. “We have got That’s Gold (trainer Chris Wood) running now, who is a son of Lucky Vega, who looks like he is really in the market for the Derby ($5 second favourite) with Autumn Glory (trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood) looking a strong chance ($4.20 favourite). “We have purchased Ohope Wins (formerly trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott) and brought her back to Australia and she is with Chris Waller.” King has also been buoyed by the strong interest Yulong’s purchases have garnered. “Between those four horses, they have really captured the New Zealand imagination,” he said. “The support that we have had from New Zealanders, and even Australians, they are really getting in behind them, particularly Ohope Wins and Well Written. “As a farm, we haven’t been going for generations, but for us to be involved and a part of that has really given everyone here a lot of satisfaction.” While King said he would love to be at Ellerslie for Champions Day, he has commitments at Flemington, with Yulong the naming sponsor of the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m), but he will be keeping one eye on the television taking in the racing action from Ellerslie. “It is a massive day at Flemington and as a farm we like to sponsor and support race clubs,” he said. “We have still got jobs to do back here at Flemington, and that will take pole position, but we will have huge interest in what they are doing at Ellerslie. “I was there that day last year, we had our first ever runner in New Zealand in our silks in Vega For Luck (in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes, 1200m), and a year later we now have some of the headline acts. “We feel very grateful to be playing our role in that day because it is just a superstar day for New Zealand racing.” View the full article

Gamma, we admire your support for HRNZ and the high class harness horses! However, for NZ there is absolutely no reason for confidence in harness racing in the future! You will realise in the future that those that are prepared to speak up about the blatant mismanagement of harness racing in NZ are speaking up for the best interests for longevity of the industry! The Entain money has been blatantly mishandled and you and everyone else will see that once it is stopped! The total silence from HRNZ and Entain is surely showing that they know we are right or they would be defending their position and guaranteeing that things are going in the right direction???? How on earth can things be going well when the North Island clubs are broke and getting poorer by the day?

What chance tomorrow? Second fav and not much to beat. Not much luck with draw but big track and gun jock. Track too firm? It’s her big chance to finally pick up a group win. As track unlikely to be soft be hoping for at least 6 bucks.

they could spend it on thoroughbreds I spose. 🙄 But that would be no no no good to ya. and harness racing NZ. Thankfully Ladbrokes put on QLD racing (Ladbrokes is a subsidiary of Entain) and we don't bet much on the 'Boring' racing here. the fields are too even with the rating system. It's just 500-600 participants making a living virtually. So even though QLD harness is running at a betting loss we still use the ENtain money to run the Interdominion each Winter and a whole host of Group 1' s (just in July and Dec as that's the budget we have) . the 2 Interdominions are worth $1.5 million between them . BUT WE don't say DISGRACE and WASTE of FUNDING , even though the whole lot is funded by Queensland racing (and not the participants like the slot races) just because in ALL likelihood LEAP TO FAME and KKEAYANG ZAHARA will Win the 2 Interdominions and will Stifle the betting. We have the races Still !! and enjoy and Don't call it a disgrace or Recklessness . a bit like the progressive HRNZ introducing the great slot racing to Addington past 2 years as well to really sell the great harness product. I guess it's in the approach you have as a doomsayer . how's your Bunker going. get it as deep as Brodie yet 😋

Betcha started out as if they were going to be more user friendly than the standard TAB site! However they dont now appear to be heading in the right direction in several respects! When you receive advice from them that they no longer are going to offer any promotions to you just because you arent a losing punter then that is less than average. Yes they are there to make money for the industry I appreciate that, however when their advice to you is not correct, you can tell that they are not travelling well!!!!!!

Well they're just preparing for some fabulous Autumn racing . Here's the article. Track All done up with new surface ready to go. Plenty of Group racing. Gunna be epic !! hope you enjoy. Only one kiwi tackling the Miracle Mile qualifiers this week ? . PINSEEKER with Jonny Cox . The same bloke who was the only one Brave enough to go to the Interdominion last year ( Chapman's did send their Pacer to McCarthy to have a go thought. Beach Ball . so credit to them too for having a go too) So should be plenty of horses in NZ harness racing to cheer on next few weeks . Messenger, Taylor Mile and that . Choc's and Marketplace and Rubira clashes. gunna be a ripper. It's the first time the track has been re-surfaced since 2023 when major flooding prompted a complete reconstuction. "I am very grateful to the Auckland Trotting Club and Red Contracting for their help in getting the job done so efficiently," says Denton. Alexandra Park's meeting tomorrow night kick-starts the new Northern Lights Autumn Carnival which will see 13 Group 1s and nearly $5m in feature race stakes on offer between March and May at the Park and Cambridge Raceway.

Gamma, I really do admire you rose-tinted glasses. Yes, the 7 slot holders put in $30k each, but although I was never much good at maths, that only comes to $210K.So to say HRNZ only puts in a small amount to a $500k stake is simply wrong. Nobody likes watching super horses race more than me, as I've been doing for around 60 years, but I'm a realist and, as it stands, the race will be boring and very expensive for a game that can't afford either. I could send the rest of the day outlining the better ways that the Entain money could be spent, but others on here have already done it on here.

Eight-year-old mare Pride Of Jenni bids to become the first two-time winner of the All-Star Mile (G1) when she enters the gate March 7 at Flemington Racecourse.View the full article

At the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association conference, experts see a future where prediction markets could work for racing, but first the sport needs to protect its turf. View the full article

A filly by Nyquist and colt by Yaupon realized the co-fastest eighth in :9 3/5 on Day 2 of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March 2-year-old in Training Sale's under-tack show on Thursday. Offered as Hip 391, the day's fastest-working colt is out of unraced Stand Back (Giant's Causeway), the dam of Grade II winner Step Forward (Speightstown). The Florida-bred hails from the family of Grade I winners Cavorting (Bernardini) and Clairiere (Curlin). He is consigned by Raul and Martha Reyes' Kings Equine. “I expected something good, but we never was to say [they will go] in :9 3/5 or :9 4/5 because you don't want to jinx the poor horse,” said Raul Reyes. “I did expect him to go fast because he's been very quick the whole time. Also, being by Yaupon, I expect him to have natural speed.” A $110,000 buy by Scott and Evan Dilworth at Keeneland in November of 2024, the colt RNA'd for $235,000 when offered at that venue last September. Reyes explained, “One of the reasons the owner didn't sell the horse [as a yearling] was because he felt the horse had ability and he wanted to keep him for the 2-year-old sales.” Already in the 2-year-old sales' game for 25 years, Kings Equine recorded a first with Thursday's co-fastest eighth of a mile worker. “That was the first time I had a horse go in :9 3/5 in my life,” Reyes said. “I've had a lot of horses go in :9 4/5 but never that fast.” According to Reyes, the reason for that somewhat surprising fact is likely because the body under-tack appearance is as important as the listed breeze itself. “Right now, the majority of the bloodstock agents clock the horses galloping out,” he explained. “It's become pretty much a standard thing now. Going fast an eighth, that's pretty good. But it's better if you also have a good gallop out too.” Heading the fillies during Thursday's session, Hip 372 is out of Smooth and Savvy (Lucky Pulpit), a half-sister to Grade I winner Smooth Like Strait (Midnight Lute). This is the extended family of GISW Siphonic (Siphon (Brz) and Laragh (Tapit) in addition to Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents). A member of the Wavertree Stables consignment, the Mar. 26 foal was purchased for $300,000 at Keeneland September last year. Hip 284, a filly by Drain the Clock registers the fastest quarter at OBS on Day 2 | OBS| Photos by Z Leading the fray with the track-record equaling quarter mile in :20 1/5 was Hip 284, a Kentucky-bred filly by Drain the Clock. Out of the 9-year-old Queen of Aces (Street Boss), the Apr. 4 foal is from the extended family of Kentucky Oaks heroine Dispute (Danzig). “We knew she was fast,” said Jesse Hoppel. “We let her run and found she was faster than most of them here. She had a good day.” Represented by his first crop of juveniles in 2026, the Maclean's Music stallion stands for $10,000 LFSN at Gainesway. “I have a lot of Drain the Clocks right now, her and several others in training and to tell you the truth, I can't think of one I don't like,” he said.” I have another colt [Friday] that is going to breeze pretty good. I think all in all, the sire might be a pretty decent stallion. I haven't found one (Drain the Clock) I didn't like yet.” Asked why the decision was made to work a quarter rather than an eighth, Hoppel explained, “Some horses by themselves are self-motivated and they'll do it on their own. Those horses who want to do it by themselves and are naturally aggressive, they like doing it and those are the horses I try to send farther because they like it. If you like your job, you do it better.” Hoppel also was responsible for the second-fastest quarter-mile worker at OBS on Thursday, a colt by Mo Town (Hip 299) who completed the task in :20 2/5. A $40,000 Keeneland November purchase in 2024, the colt is out of the listed-producing mare Reckon (Into Mischief). “That horse has been unreal,” Hoppel said. “I bought him as a baby and was thinking I would call somebody and get a partner on the way home. And I ended not calling anybody and keeping him for myself. He just grew up and got better and better and better. You pull him out on the end of the shank, he's absolutely striking. Fellow consignors that I respect on the way up to the chute were asking 'Who's that?' He's just a physically imposing individual.” The under-tack show continues through Saturday with sessions beginning each day at 8 a.m. The OBS March sale will be held next Tuesday through Thursday. Bidding begins each day at 11 a.m. The post Yaupon, Nyquist Juveniles Work Co-Fastest Eighth, Drain the Clock Filly Posts Top Quarter on Day 2 of OBS Under Tack appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

They won't be afraid to force the issue with Belle Neige or Gus, I would say.

You guys are just Bitterly disappointing these days. Not a skerritt of support for the great competitors on the track , nor your fabulous organizing bodies . And the Galah backs you u calling it a disgrace ? that's a disgrace lol 😆😋 (should leave that for Doomsday Brodie) Of course any race Keayang Zahara is in doesn't have good betting. duh. that's what happens when champions arrive. So you say DON"T HAVE THE RACE because of the Betting ???😅🤣 that's great support for the champions lol 😂 I do concede, You can't really back anything to beat her. (my suggestion would be take First 4 in those sort of races but whatever) As for Recklessness with ENTAIN money. what total ROT. ENTAIN puts in the money to use over a season. They are worth BILLIONS they are back in court this year with a potential $100,000,000 fine (for money laundering) and already have that set aside , should the day come. WHAT BETTER way for them to SPEND their proceeds but on BIG Harness races. The Slot races involves the PARTICIPANTS putting in $30,000 each as well . The small input from HRNZ is a True Blessing for them. Not a disgrace. They are rejoicing in their good fortune. Great racing of some of the best TROTTERS EVER SEEN in Gus, Keayang Zahara and Muscle Mountain . 14 fabulous Group 1's to be run at Auckland through the Autumn next 3 months, on their newly re-surfaced track . Well done HRNZ for the great NZ racing and support of your participants. 🏆💰 Thank you Entain for the great Entertainment as well. Disgrace and recklessness ??? lol 🤣 poor old trotters. NZ used to like them too over the years. times change I spose.🙄😉

NZTR weighs export levy hike amid industry pushback New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing says it is in the early stages of evaluating the fee structure for the export of horses to raise revenue and direct it towards the local industry. By Tim Rowe https://bitofayarn.com ● Breeding and Bloodstock ● March 5, 2026 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing is examining the fee structure for the export of horses despite concerns that a steep hike would impact the international trade of bloodstock. (Photo Darren Tindale – The Image is Everything) The regulator of New Zealand’s heavily export-reliant thoroughbred sector is weighing up whether to increase the levy imposed on owners of horses departing the country as a way of boosting revenue to support the local racing industry. As the proposal reaches the consultative stage, detractors have voiced concern that New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s tentative steps to hike the export fee could make it harder for stakeholders to sell horses to overseas jurisdictions.https://bitofayarn.com A figure of as much as $5000 – up more than tenfold on the current amount of $450 – was first put forward by NZTR, but after swift and stern feedback from stakeholders, it appears as though the organisation has already backed away from such a steep increase. The Australian industry charges the owners of exported horses $550, while the United Kingdom imposes a £196 levy, and Ireland charges €234. Advertisement NZTR also charges a $250 levy for horses imported into the country, or $330 if the arrival is lodged more than 30 days after arrival. Australia is New Zealand’s major export market for thoroughbreds, while Hong Kong is also a pivotal jurisdiction, but buyers from that region have a major presence at New Zealand Bloodstock auctions, particularly at the Ready to Run Sale each November. To a lesser extent, jurisdictions such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Korea also play an important role as export markets for the New Zealand industry. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing general manager of racing Mitch Lamb confirmed that the organisation was considering the structure of its fees across a range of areas, including the export and importing of horses. “We’re really right at the start of an internal process that may end up being a conclusion that sees a rise in fee or it may end up being a conclusion that sees it not being touched,” Lamb told The Straight. “It’s a fee that hasn’t been touched from my understanding for about 11 years … (and we’re) taking on consultation from those stakeholders and we’re obviously still needing to go through a proper process internally as well. “In fairness, it’s probably one of about 40 things that are at that similar stage (at NZTR at the moment).” New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing chief executive Andrew Birch warned that a significant increase in the levy would diminish the country’s ability to compete with other thoroughbred breeding countries. “New Zealand is very much an export nation and this ecosystem of trading has been imperative to the ongoing viability of a host of our trainers, owners and breeders,” Birch said. “We have a clear advantage in terms of our natural environment, skilled horse people and relative costs of producing quality thoroughbreds, so let’s not jeopardise that. “While we appreciate that the current export levy hasn’t been touched in some time, and hence a small rise would be palatable, anything that would put us at a disadvantage to our fellow exporters is clearly of grave concern. https://bitofayarn.com “We want to work collaboratively with NZTR to ensure that a quick-fix solution to revenue raising doesn’t come at the expense of the long-term sustainability and international competitiveness of New Zealand’s thoroughbred export sector.” Australian buyers accounted for more than half the Book 1 spend at January’s NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, signing for 200 horses at a combined $41.145 million.https://bitofayarn.com Hong Kong buyers also spent more than $5 million, contributing 6.8 per cent to the gross of $79 million, while China, South Africa, Singaporean, UK and Japanese buyers also purchased horses at New Zealand’s 100th National Yearling Sale. Appointed to his position at NZTR in September, having previously worked with wagering firms in Europe and Australia, including with Tabcorp and its media business Sky Racing, Lamb has been consulting various stakeholders about the export levy. They include the country’s sole auction house, New Zealand Bloodstock, and the Bloodstock Agents Federation New Zealand, which have voiced their concerns about a possible hefty fee hike. “I think it would be incumbent on me to do that, stepping into the role and this is just one drop in the ocean as to what we’re reviewing and looking at to potentially change for next season,” Lamb said. “If we were to find new revenue streams … whether it’s fees or whatever they might be, and that includes our funding from our (wagering) model with Entain, it’s incumbent on us to be as transparent as possible with stakeholders as to how we’re going to spend that money.” The trans-Tasman approach – Is racing missing its Australasian opportunity? Any changes made to the levy would need to be ratified by the NZTR board, which is chaired by breeding industry figure and Westbury Stud general manager Russell Warwick.https://bitofayarn.com The development comes as NZTR prepares for its Champions Day, a World Pool meeting at Ellerslie highlighted by the second running of the $4 million The NZB Kiwi. The slot race is expected to be dominated by unbeaten filly Well Written, with the field attracting a sole Australian raider, the last-start Mitch Freedman-trained CS Hayes runner-up Asakura. Another eight Australian-trained runners are entered for stakes races at Ellerslie, with connections taking advantage of the $10,000 NZTR travel subsidy. NZTR’s financial incentive aimed at connections of Australian-trained horses came in for criticism from some local participants after the Gavin Bedggood-trained Kingswood won the Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic on Boxing Day. A last-start second in the Herbie Dyke Stakes, Kingswood continues his Kiwi campaign in the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes on Saturday.https://bitofayarn.com Lamb believes the travel incentive had proven successful in boosting turnover from Australian punters on its meetings. He described the travel subsidy as a return-on-investment play that had so far delivered dividends for the industry. “The wagering figures in general domestically have been very encouraging throughout the entire season and certainly on those big days, specifically the wagering figures out of Australia,” Lamb said. https://bitofayarn.com “When you look at that (Karaka) Millions night, they were really, really positive. It’s one piece of the puzzle, getting Australian horses to race here to maximise those wagering opportunities … and we’ll definitely continue to look at opportunities to get them over here to race.”

With a field size of just over 130, the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI) meeting smashed their previous attendance record as they convened the 30th annual conference at Tampa Bay Downs on Sunday, Mar. 1. Over the course of the three-day event, members soaked up presentations centered on integrity issues for equine athletes, traded their craft with one another through fellowship and made new connections that will be essential once they return to their respective jurisdictions. A survey of the Tampa roll call reflects the organization's regional diversity that emanates from racing commissions to track security, plus there was a healthy international contingent. At this year's event conference goers hailed from Europe, South Africa, Canada and also East Asia–including Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea. Don Ahrens, one of the founders of the organization, said that ORI has really morphed over the past three decades which has led to better communication between groups like regulators, racetracks and horsemen. “The personal contact that was established by a mere 22 investigators who first met in Oregon when the idea of ORI took shape all those years ago is alive and well today,” Ahrens said. “We've steadily built something based in education and the affiliations we continue to make form a strong, cooperative network. This not only helps our members, but we spend significant amounts of time disseminating knowledge to other entities and that strengthens relationships across boundaries.” Presentations during the conference shift each year, but what remains constant is the program seeks to push the envelope when it comes to innovation. How to use data and AI to strengthen equine security, an investigator's role in aftercare and combating corrupt practices around the racetrack were just some of the themes covered during the sessions. “The annual ORI conference is one of my favorite meetings to attend,” said Dr. Angela Pelzel-McCluskey, an equine epidemiologist for the USDA. “It continues to be the best place for our top racing investigators in the country to share information, improve their skills and support each other in their combined goal to protect the health and welfare of the horse.” On the Tampa program, Dr. Pelzel-McCluskey provided an update in her talk about how Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) in the national herd makes the racing sector a high-risk population and particularly susceptible to blood-borne disease transmission. Highlighted in her presentation were two outbreaks of EIA in 2024 and 2025. According to Dr. Pelzel-McCluskey, also of interest to investigators were eight EIA cases in Thoroughbreds involving contaminated blood, plasma or biologic products which were illegally imported from other countries. ORI conference chair Deanna Nicol of Tampa Bay Downs added that important topics like Dr. Pelzel-McCluskey's provide members with essential information for their own toolkits. “The dedication to safety, security and integrity that this group of individuals display and incorporate into their daily routines, and how hard everyone strives to work together is focused on creating a proactive environment for the sport,” Nicol said. “The camaraderie at the conference creates unique bonds among the group.” During the Monday evening program, which featured a keynote address by Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' & Owners' Association Administrative Vice President Steve Koch, ORI established a pair of new commendations–the Hanna Hagler Outstanding New Member Award and the Melvin Bell Distinguished Service Award. Hagler was a law enforcement agent with the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, who was diagnosed with cancer and passed away last year. The inaugural award was given to New Jersey Racing Commission investigator Kara Vesci. Bell, a former police officer in Dallas, was an investigator for 20 years with the Texas Racing Commission until his death in 2022. Keeneland's Billy Fryer, himself a retired Lexington police officer, was named as the recipient. ORI's highest honor, the John F. Wayne Lifetime Membership Award, was bestowed on Director of Enforcement for the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission Jason Klouser. During the conference, a raffle held for the attendees yielded over $3,000, which was donated to Thoroughbred aftercare. Next year's ORI meeting is set to be hosted by Santa Anita Park. The post 30th Investigator Conference At Tampa Fields Largest Attendance Ever appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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