Chief Stipe

June 2025 OFFICIAL NOTICE DECISION OF HRNZ EXEMPTIONS COMMITTEE UNDER RULE 1303(3) N R MCGRATH Mr McGrath is currently Disqualified for a period of 8 years commencing 13 July 2020 until 12 July 2028 and is subject to the restricƟons set out in sub-rules (1) and (2) of rule 1303. Having completed more than half of his disqualification, Mr McGrath is now eligible under rule 1303(3) to apply to have the restricƟons removed and his applicaƟon has been considered by the HRNZ ExempƟons Commitee. The following exempyions have been granted: 1. The restricƟon under rule 1303(1)(a) is removed for the full remainder of Mr McGrath’s disqualificayion, with effect that he will be able as principal or agent to enter or run a horse in any race, either in his own name or in the name of any other person. 2. The restriction under rule 1303(1)(c) is condiƟonally removed for the full remainder of Mr McGrath’s disqualification, with effect that he will be able to assist or be involved in the gaitng of any horse after 1 October in the year before it becomes a two-year-old in any capacity other than as a trainer or stablehand. 3. The restriction under Rule 1303(2)(a) is conditionally removed for the full remainer of Mr McGrath’s disqualification, with effect that he will be able to assist or be involved in the gaitng of any horse after 1 October in the year before it becomes a two-year-old in any capacity other than as a trainer or stablehand. 4. The restriction under rule 1303(2)(b) is conditionally removed for the full remainder of Mr McGrath’s disqualification, with effect that he will be able to enter or remain on a racecourse or any other place under the control of a club when being used for trials, workouts, or (subject to him obtaining an exemption under the Racecourse Admission Rules) race meetngs but only as a spectator or horse owner and not in any other capacity. 5. The restricƟon under rule 1303(2)(c) is removed for the full remainder of Mr McGrath’s disqualification, with effect that he will be able to transfer the ownership of any horse either to or from himself. 6. The restriction under rule 1303(2)(d) is condiƟonally removed for the full remainder of Mr McGrath’s disqualification, with effect that he will be able to enter upon the stable area or area used for training of any property of a licensed person provided he is not involved in any capacity in the training of any horse and provided he does not undertake or partcipate in the work of a stablehand. At this time, the restrictions applying to Mr McGrath under paragraphs (b), (d), (e) and (f) of sub-rule (1) of rule 1303 remain in place. Brad Steele Chief Executive HRNZ OFFICIAL-NOTICE-HRNZ-Exemptions-Committee-N-R-McGrath-9-June-2025.pdf

You obviously have never been to a meeting at the mighty Victoria Park Raceway in Greymouth.

War Machine wins the Stradbroke Stradbroke Handicap winner War Machine. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography. By Racenet 06:17pm • 14 June 2025 Comments Dominant favourite War Machine gave supporters little need for worry when scoring a commanding win in the $3 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. War Machine is trained by brothers Ben, Will and JD Hayes and provided the famous Australian racing family with their first win in Queensland's signature race. The late Colin Hayes and his son David, Ben Will and JD's father, are both Hall of Fame trainers but neither have won a Stradbroke. War Machine was close to the speed throughout before surging to the front with 300m to go and was never getting run down, defeating Yellow Brick with Private Eye back in third. https://bitofayarn.com/topic/141198-war-machine-wins-2025-stradbroke-for-nz-connections/ War Machine was ridden by Tim Clark and the victory was his sixth from 13 starts, taking his earnings to more than $2.4 million. https://bitofayarn.com/topic/141198-war-machine-wins-2025-stradbroke-for-nz-connections/

A tidy fourth by ex-New Zealander Desert Lightening in the Straddie as well.

Are you blind?

War Machine was a poignant win in the Straddie given the Michael Moroney and Michael Wallace connections who both died recently. War Machine being trained in Australia by Moroney after initially trained (and bred) by Jim Wallace. With Jim and David Wallace still having shares in the horse.

Did you have access to the head on and inside video?

I doubt it would have won.

Is this a Scotsman laughing at himself? I guess it is quite generous for a Scotsman.

You Ok @nomates or just maxing the profile?

"Grumpy Old Man Syndrome," sometimes referred to as Irritable Male Syndrome (IMS), is an informal term describing a state of increased irritability, mood swings, and other emotional and physical changes in aging men. While not a recognized medical diagnosis, it's often linked to hormonal changes like declining testosterone levels (andropause) and other age-related factors. Key Symptoms and Causes: Irritability and Mood Swings: Men experiencing this may become more easily agitated, frustrated, and prone to emotional fluctuations. Loss of Confidence and Energy: A decline in physical and mental vitality can contribute to feelings of sadness, underachievement, and low self-esteem. Cognitive Changes: Some men report difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and reduced mental sharpness. Hormonal Changes: Andropause, the male equivalent of menopause, involves a natural decrease in testosterone production, which can impact mood, energy levels, and libido. Lifestyle Factors: Retirement, loss of social roles, and other major life changes can also play a role in the development of this syndrome. Stress: Chronic stress can exacerbate irritability and mood swings, potentially leading to a cycle of negativity. Other Considerations: Depression: Irritability can be a symptom of depression, and men experiencing this syndrome may also be dealing with undiagnosed depression. Relationships: The emotional changes associated with this syndrome can strain relationships with partners, family, and friends. Seeking Help: If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional. A doctor can help determine the underlying causes and recommend appropriate treatment options, which may include hormone replacement therapy, lifestyle adjustments, or therapy. It's important to remember that "Grumpy Old Man Syndrome" is not a universal experience, and many men navigate aging with grace and good humor. However, recognizing the potential for these changes and seeking help when needed is crucial for maintaining well-being.

@nomates did you and @Comic Dog get stuck in the primary school yard?

Madame Shinko. I've got a picture somewhere of me leading her back into the birdcage after shaking Andrews hand.

How old would he be now? Rode a G3 winner for me in 2006!!

Olympic rider suspended for repeatedly whipping young horse in video says it was a ‘rescue mission’ - Horse & Hound www.horseandhound.co.uk Australian Olympic rider Heath Ryan said he is sad an “awful” video has surfaced of him repeatedly whipping a young horse – which he described as part of a “rescue mission”, and which the FEI and Equestrian Australia are investigating. The 66-year-old, who competed at the 2008 Games in dressage and was eventing at four-star level in 2024, has been provisionally suspended as of today (12 June). The video has been shared widely on social media. Watch the video https://content.jwplatform.com/previews/pWEeG2W3 An Equestrian Australia (EA) spokesperson told H&H the federation is aware of the footage and has received a formal complaint about the matter. “Equestrian Australia is extremely alarmed and concerned by the treatment of the horse shown in this footage,” the spokesperson said. “Equestrian Australia’s complaints, disputes and discipline policy includes high standards to protect all participants and their horses against any adverse physical, social, and emotional conditions during all EA endorsed equestrian activities that are conducted under the auspices of EA or by any EA affiliate. We also have a code of conduct which requires participants to adhere to the FEI code of conduct for the welfare of the horse. “The person depicted in the video is a member of Equestrian Australia. EA is currently investigating this matter through the lens of these two policies and will have more to say about the matter when we have more information to hand.” “A problem child” In a statement, Heath said the “most awful video” was taken two years ago, of a six-year-old called Nico, a “beautiful type” who was “dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery”. “He was genetically a result of my best stallions, all of which were successful in grand prix dressage, so Nico was beautifully bred,” he said. “Nico belonged to a wonderful family friend who had been put in hospital in intensive care by Nico. Prior to this really bad accident Nico had always been a problem child and would just stop. This gradually got worse and worse until the accident. The owner of Nico and my friend is a diminutive lady and 100% not capable of being physically aggressive in any way.” Heath said Nico had always had a very good home, wanted for nothing and was loved. “Here is the question,” he said. “If a beautiful six-year-old horse turns up at your facility and it was bred by your stallion and it belonged to a lifelong friend of yours who had been put in hospital in intensive care by this horse would you just send it to the knackery?? “Well, I didn’t and I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable. Well, did I get a shock. “And so the video. I have never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video. If I had been thinking of myself I would have immediately just gotten off and sent Nico to the knackery. That video was a life or death moment for Nico and of that I was very aware. I felt I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options. “Anyway by the end of that initial ride I did feel Nico was responding. I rode Nico for another couple of days and he responded very well and started to go without the use of excessive driving aids. I then called up another friend of mine who is also a grand prix dressage rider who is always watching out for a special horse but has very limited resources. I disclosed the whole story but said that I thought if Nico could find the right home I thought he was a good horse and maybe a very good horse.” New home He said Nico went to a new home, which turned out to be a very good one; he shared another video of the horse “thriving in a loving and competitive home with an exciting future”. “All of this transpired sincerely with the horse’s best interests the sole consideration,” he said. “Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video. “What can I say? If you think I did that flippantly, you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to Nico and asking the hard questions. That was the last place I wanted to be. I have never before ridden a horse that reacted like that and I certainly will never do it again. “Was it worth it? Well, not for me however I am very happy for Nico. I need to add that this happened about two years ago and the video has been posted by an unhappy ex-employee. “All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission.” In an updated statement this afternoon, EA said it had suspended Heath pending investigation. “Equestrian Australian takes matters of animal welfare very seriously,” it said. “Contrary to commentary on YouTube, we have no information to suggest Equestrian Australia management asked for the footage of this incident to be removed.” An FEI spokesperson told H&H it had mirrored the EA suspension, adding: “The FEI is aware of the footage published on social media and is taking it very seriously. We are liaising with Equestrian Australia and looking into this incident.”

For @JJ Flash and others benefit: Timeline End of June 2025 - ENTAIN is expected to have completed the planned improvements to its AML and CTF systems. Which were notified to AUSTRAC. Before 4 August 2025 - AUSTRAC and ENTAIN are required to attend mediation. By 12 September 2025 - if mediation does not resolve the matter ENTAIN is required to file its defence to the Statement of Claim. After 12 September 2025 - a hearing date will be set which could be many months in the future and of course a settlement could be reached at any point up to and before that hearing is concluded. There is an advantage to waiting until the system upgrades have been completed and spending the available time to build a defence in case the mediation talks reach a deadlock. There is also the case in progress where Star Casino are pushing back against their fine seeking relief to avert bankruptcy. That said the precedents mentioned in the previous post are good guidelines to what penalty may be agreed. It isn't inconceivable that ENTAIN show that they have made significant steps to address AML issues in their upgrade and that they agree with AUSTRAC to do more and avoid a fine.

It's interesting how some in this industry are quick to promote a doom and gloom headline or rather a perception of one. The perception is that ENTAIN are going to take a HUGE financial hit from the AUSTRAC Anti-Money Laundering charges. Aka @JJ Flash However if you read the 600+ pages of the AUSTRAC Statement of Claim against ENTAIN and then compare to other successful prosecutions there is a strong case to argue that ENTAIN will get either: 1. A statutory enforced requirement to work with AUSTRAC to achieve compliance (ENTAIN had already agreed to pursue that course); and/or 2. A fine. The quantum of that fine will be comparable to other fines that AUSTRAC have successfully prosecuted in similar cases. There is a precedent for option 1 and that is the Sportsbet prosecution. In terms of option 2 a fine. The degree of non-compliance is not close to the level of WESTPAC's which incurred a $1.3billion fine. So it can be expected to be less. Skycity Adelaide incurred a fine of $67 million. Star Casino received a fine of $450 million. Arguably the ENTAIN case lies closer to SkyCity than Star. Star was allegedly turning over $70m a week with high risk customers which is $11.9 billion a year. There were identified 117 high risk customers with one being given $167m gambling credit!!! By comparison AUSTRAC has identified 17 high risk customers who spent $152 million with ENTAIN. In another case Crown Casinos was fined $450 million - just one of their high risk customers had a turnover more than the entire NZTAB!! Other mitigating factors in ENTAIN's favour is that some of the non-compliance was "purchased" in that it relates to activity done by companies purchased by ENTAIN before they took over. ENTAIN have also been cooperating fully. ENTAIN has a market capitalisation of $8 billion and since the AUSTRAC case was lodged has seen no change in share price i.e. the market does not perceive a high risk from the current litigation.

Well based on that description some of the very people you openly deride would fit the bill. Yet it seems being successful excludes them from your list.

@Comic Dog and @Pete Lane BOAY as long as I'm involved is staying right where it is. I'm guessing that will be longer than other forums unless @Comic Dog has a succession plan. @JJ Flash in life we always find our level and I guess you have found yours.

Yes and being the gentle horse that he was you can't help but get attached to him.

Doesn't mean he doesn't have "an interest in racing". Probably a lawyer or such but had an interest in racing. For quite some time now you don't need to walk into a TAB to have an account. Define the "grass roots level"? Imagine the uproar if they hired someone for the top job whose only experience was as a Stablehand. "Grassroots", "The Coalface" and even "Battler" are just metaphors to describe something that is often very fluid in definition. It seems more and more we categorise and label individuals as a means to create virtual tribes which are then pitted against each other.

I can't think of any at a Senior Management level.

That's a bit of a stretch @Doomed . Who has been employed that doesn't have an interest in racing?

@Comic Dog you are not in a position to call anyone a hypocrite let alone @hesi