Chief Stipe

Racing hub site revealed - Cambridge News www.cambridgenews.nz Dairy land tagged for mega racing hub Waikato Thoroughbred Racing has secured a conditional deal to buy 150 hectares south of Hamilton, marking the first major step toward relocating and modernising the region’s thoroughbred racing operations. Chief executive Andrew Castles told The News the deal follows a year-long search for prime Waikato land. He said it was a once-in-a-century opportunity to reshape the industry. The “super club,” formed in 2023 through the merger of Waikato Racing, Cambridge Jockey and Waipā Racing clubs, has chosen a dairy farm site bordering the Waikato Expressway to the north and the Te Awa River Ride to the south, with Pencarrow and Duncan roads on either side. “If you asked me where the optimum site would be for a 100 year build to secure the future of thoroughbred racing in the Waikato, I doubt you could find a better site,” said Castles. The club’s due diligence included aerial surveys, environmental assessments and infrastructure analysis – Castles even flew over the property by helicopter. The current landowners will continue dairy operations until contractual dates are met, beginning with the 2027 dairy season. Environmental studies are underway and, led by BCD Group, will cover water supply, wildlife, roading and electricity demand. One of the key drivers behind the move is growing pressure on the Cambridge training centre, where housing intensification and traffic congestion are making daily training more difficult. To fund the new site, the club would sell its existing land in Hamilton, Te Awamutu and Cambridge. The proposed development would replace Te Rapa’s ageing infrastructure. Plans include flexible event spaces, equine rehabilitation and veterinary facilities, and capacity for up to 1500 horses. The scale of the site also allows for future projects such as a national sales centre. “Gone are the days of the grandiose grandstand. It will be a modern, multi‑purpose facility that can double as an event centre,” said Castles. The location near Hamilton Airport is seen as a strategic advantage. It is expected the airport will expand international services over the next decade. “I believe it will be a proper international airport,” Castles said. It would make it ideal for international buyers and horse movement between countries. Board chair Bruce Harvey said the economic benefits outweigh the loss of dairy land, citing job creation, construction activity and regional growth. The shift from bovine to equine agriculture would bring greater employment and economic activity, he said. “It would outweigh the loss of 150 hectares of dairy land.” Engagement is now underway with neighbours, iwi and Waikato District Council, where the land is situated. Politicians, including Racing Minister Winston Peters, have all been in the loop. An open day is planned for next month. The project remains firmly thoroughbred-focused. Castles emphasised the mandate given by members to pursue long-term industry sustainability. Cambridge is already the largest training centre in Australasia, while Matamata ranks among the top five. Together they support thousands of horses. Te Awamutu’s future is still uncertain amid stalled plans for a waste-to-energy plant. Both Castles and Harvey credited the 2023 merger for enabling the project. “We wouldn’t be having this discussion if you had three separate clubs,” said Castles. “We have to acknowledge the foresight that past club members had,” said Harvey. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Matt Ballesty said the project had benefits for the country. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to design a venue that works for today’s participants and future-proofs the industry. “The site offers a future racing and training precinct with a broad range of amenities – not just a racetrack. Multiple club members, local residents and the wider community will benefit from an enhanced, shared asset,” said Ballesty.

New racing home eyed - Cambridge News www.cambridgenews.nz The search for a greenfield site to house Waikato’s racing industry appears to have narrowed to land immediately south of Hamilton – and an announcement understood to be only days away. Waikato Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Andrew “Butch” Castles declined to comment citing the sensitivity of ongoing negotiations. “I can’t be clearer — it is very delicate and I am not in a position to comment,” he said. Industry sources suggest agents acting for the club have identified flat land near the Waikato Expressway, capable of accommodating a single, purpose-built hub for racing and training. This move follows a landmark decision at last year’s annual meeting, where members of the newly merged Waikato Thoroughbred Racing – formed from Te Rapa, Cambridge, and Waipā racing clubs – endorsed a grand plan to sell existing assets and secure a “super site” of between 125 and 200 hectares. The preferred site needed to sit in a triangle from Hamilton north, down to Te Awamutu, and across to Cambridge, they decided. It needed good access to water, with the right kind of topography and non-peaty. A new site would eventually replace the racing and training venues in Hamilton, Cambridge and Te Awamutu. If the purchase proceeds, it would trigger a cascade of property sales, beginning with the 34ha site in Te Awamutu where the Waipā club raced from 1915 until the 2020-21 season and where around 100 horses still train. Cambridge with 61ha and Te Rapa with 50ha would have to remain operational until the new hub was completed, thought to be by 2035. The News understands the proposal has high-level government support and would be largely self-funded. Cambridge – which celebrated its centenary in 2019 – is home to the Southern Hemisphere’s largest thoroughbred training centre, with 1300 horses regularly working on its 13 tracks. That includes the country’s first synthetic all-weather horse racing track. The Polytrack surface is made from a mixture of silica, sand, carpet fibres, rubber and wax. Its $13 million cost was partly funded by the Provincial Growth Fund and was opened by racing minister Winston Peters in July 2021. Te Rapa in Hamilton, meanwhile, is Waikato’s premier racecourse and event centre, once spanning more than 150ha during racing’s heydays when thousands of punters flocked to race days. Racing first started on the course in 1924. Urban expansion in both Hamilton and Cambridge has steadily encroached on both venues, making the land increasingly valuable for residential and commercial development. The club is hoping to secure a private plan change to rezone 6ha for medium-density housing. Board chair Bruce Harvey said after last year’s annual meeting a greenfield site would centralise operations and future proof Waikato’s racing industry. Challenges at Cambridge – where new housing has added traffic to roads used by horses – and the need to bring Waikato’s racing fraternity under one roof were key considerations. For Waikato Thoroughbred Racing, the solution lies in creating a modern super hub – a facility that secures the industry’s future, provides world-class infrastructure, and ensures the region remains a powerhouse of New Zealand racing. Trainers would be able to either hire or lease land at the super hub while there would be an opportunity for racing-related ancillary businesses. The main racetrack would be sand-based but there would also be options for synthetic racing and training tracks. While officials remain tight-lipped, industry insiders describe the proposal as “exciting” and potentially transformative. With racing already contributing more than $500 million to the Waikato economy and supporting 3800 full-time jobs, a centralised hub could be the game changer that secures the industry’s future.

Thats what I said.

You miss the point I made. None of them have spelt out the financial reality. None of them have put the numbers in their face and said what do you want? A long slow death or racing to continue?

Well Rooke learnt that the horse doesn't have a turm of foot (you need one to win a MC) but is a solid stayer. So why the hell sit back on a slow pace? In my opinion thats what is killing NZ racing. Get to the front, stack, sit, sprint.

The basis of your analysis is that the punter loses. Correct?

So you disagee?

I actually think Rooke is a breath of fresh air. He analyses each ride and adapts. His ride on Sharp 'N' Smart was superb. Any other NZ rider would be still waiting at the 200m.

We are pleased to share the Terms of Reference and provide an update on the engagement process that will guide the development of a future-focused masterplan for New Zealand’s equine racing infrastructure. Project Stamina: Terms of Reference and Engagement Overview Dear Industry Participants, We are pleased to share the Terms of Reference and provide an update on the engagement process that will guide the development of a future-focused masterplan for New Zealand’s equine racing infrastructure. As previously communicated, Project Stamina aims to produce a unified masterplan for racing and training venues nationwide. It will provide a clear, long-term view of where and how the industry should invest across both the Harness and Thoroughbred codes. In doing so, it links this investment to reliable tracks, a consistent racing product, stronger wagering performance, and revenue generation to reinvest back into the sport. Project Stamina will create a sustainable and financially robust racing sector. We are committed to collaborative, sector-wide engagement, and the purpose of this update is to keep you informed about how this process will unfold. RCP have been appointed as independent consultants, and the Terms of Reference for the process are linked below, and can also be found on both the HRNZ and NZTR websites. PROJECT STAMINA TERMS OF REFERENCE Overview of the Engagement Process The engagement will take place in two key stages and follows a best-practice planning approach to ensure transparency, consistency, and equitable input across all levels of the industry: Discover, Compile and Analyse (through to Mid-February 2026): Structured engagement has commenced with representatives of HRNZ, NZTR and TAB NZ to confirm key issues and opportunities. Additional subject matter experts may be engaged if specific knowledge gaps are identified. Insights from this stage will help shape masterplan options. Evaluate and Report (by late May 2026): Feedback will be sought from across the NZ Racing Industry, including Racing Clubs and Recognised Industry Organisations, through online surveys, workshops, and meetings (online or in-person). The focus will be on gathering views about the benefits of a preferred masterplan option and the actions required to achieve it. Industry feedback received will be used to approve the masterplan by the governing bodies of the two racing codes. Regular updates will be provided at every stage to ensure transparency and reinforce stakeholder confidence that their input is being thoughtfully considered. Project Stamina intends to embrace change, but not for change’s sake. With ageing infrastructure, we need to strategically invest in the venues which provide the best opportunity to future-proof the racing industry for long-term sustainable success. This process begins with complete transparency - no decisions have been made, and industry input will play a central role in shaping the preferred approach. Next Steps This process is guided by a commitment to transparency and collaboration. Keeping you informed is a key part of our approach, and regular updates will be provided to ensure stakeholders remain abreast of considerations. Initial updates will be shared via email and existing channels (such as newsletters). More detailed information about the timing and opportunities for engagement will be available in the New Year, but current expectations are for a May 2026 release of the report. For now, we wanted to provide this overview so you know what to expect and how the process will progress. A monitored inbox (stamina@tabnz.org) has been set up for industry participants to be able to correspond with the process and we invite questions and feedback directly. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to New Zealand racing. Your participation is both crucial and encouraged. Together, we can build a vibrant and sustainable future for our industry. Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing E: nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz FacebookLinkedInWebsite New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing 18 Dick Street, Cambridge 3434 Email: office@nztr.co.nz Tel: 0800 946 637 NZTR.CO.NZ Unsubscribe

Yes and that is disappointing. If I was Ballesty I would have come out hard and strong and told the hard cold facts and then presented a plan. No need to go through the process AGAIN. @Special Agent I know you are really close to the Levin Racing Club but you are selling the silver and bludging off Otaki to keep going, Is that what you really want?

Racing NSW puts Australian Turf Club into administration The Australian Turf Club is set to have a Racing NSW-appointed administrator put in charge with the racing regulator stepping in after raising financial and governance concerns earlier this year.https://bitofayarn.com By Bren O'Brien ● Racing Industry ● December 15, 2025 ATC chair Tim Hale has led the fight against the club being put into administration. (Photo: Bronwen Healy – The Image is Everything) The Australian Turf Club has has an administrator appointed by the state’s racing regulator Racing NSW. The directors of the ATC were informed on Monday, having been handed a show-cause notice by Racing NSW in September. Racing NSW issued a statement confirming the ATC had been unsuccessful in fending off administration.https://bitofayarn.com “Racing NSW today announced the appointment of an Administrator to conduct the affairs of the Australian Turf Club (ATC),” it read. Advertisement “This decision follows an extensive and exhaustive Show Cause process, together with multiple formal joint meetings between the Boards of Racing NSW and the ATC. “These steps were undertaken to ensure the ATC was afforded every reasonable, and indeed ample, opportunity to address the serious concerns raised.” The statement said the ATC board was “repeatedly invited to provide detailed submissions, present its proposed strategy to improve the Club’s financial performance, its future solvency and respond comprehensively to concerns regarding corporate https://bitofayarn.comgovernance”. “Specifically, the ATC board was unable to demonstrate it could develop and implement a strategy to improve the commercial performance of the club, or rectify the serious financial issues. Further, the corporate governance concerns had not been appropriately addressed,” it said. Racing NSW has confirmed it has appointed a professional administrator who will report to a committee, which is being established. The identity of that administrator has not yet been announced. “This committee will be constituted of the necessary expertise and may include a mix appointed from current ATC board members, ATC members using a best practice skills matrix and other suitable persons,” it said. “This committee and administrator will replace the functions of the Board of the ATC. The day-to-day operations will continue to be managed by the ATC’s executive team and there will be no impact on the conduct of race meetings or events at ATC venues.” “This administration period will provide an opportunity for the ATC to improve its financial performance, address the serious financial issues and develop a robust and best practice long term strategy for the club, using the best possible skills and expertise.”https://bitofayarn.com Advertisement The initial show-cause notice in September came in the same week as the departure of chief executive Matt Galanos and the resignation of two of the club’s directors, Ben Bayot and Natalie Hewson. Subsequent to the inital Racing NSW notice in September, ATC chair Tim Hale issued a response, which claimed the show-cause related to perceived governance and financial matters extending back many years. “It does not impact our racing program, our operations, or the experiences we deliver for you as members,” he said.https://bitofayarn.com “The ATC does not accept several of the points raised by Racing NSW and will respond in detail in due course.” After the deadline for the response to the show cause notice was extended, the ATC directors, chair Hale, deputy Caroline Searcy, Annette English and David McGrath, as well as interim chief executive Steve McMahon, have met Racing NSW twice in the past three weeks to discuss the show cause notice. The most recent meeting was last Friday. Two NSW provincial and two country race clubs have previously been asked to show-cause as to why they shouldn’t have an administrator put in place to run the clubs due to financial and/or governance concerns.https://bitofayarn.com Wyong (2014), Hawkesbury (2021), Queanbeyan (2014) and Tamworth (2021) race clubs were all placed into administration by Racing NSW after being issued with show-cause notices over the past 12 years.

@curious you might be able to tell me but is the HKJC World Pool and advantage or a disadvantage financially to NZ when there are two $1 favourites? How is the top up to $1 accounted for? I'll admit I haven't got a clue but it struck me that you'd make more money out of a fixed odds market excluding Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior than the Tote. I also thought that if you were going to launder money then those two races were the ones to do it on!

Is it? If it is then that is a fundamental issue. Unless a Club has alternative revenue streams then it is impossible for them to maintain their core racing assets.

Are rebates the only way he makes a profit?

Wrong again. In the first instance it is the responsibility of Clubs to provide safe tracks and to maintain them. Obviously under the current structure NZTR can only advise. As for the Whip rules - NZTR sets those rules. The RIB enforce them and they should be doing more as the QA arm of the industry enforcing raceday protocols e.g. rating tracks properly and making sure horses gallop on them prior to the first race etc.

I think you are missing the point. The Messara plan needed to be sold (still does) and sold hard. There wasn't enough hard reality talking particularly around the finances of Clubs.

There's the conundrum. The assets aren't earning enough to maintain themselves now. We are rapidly heading towards a scenario of "do you want 25 racecourses or none"? All well and good sounding altruristic saying that "the assets should go to the community that built them" but that isn't the case. They are racing assets.

Really they broke 1:23 for 1400m and went 1:09 flat for 1200m on a G4? By the time the Pakenham Cup ran it was listed as a Good 4.

The plan was derailed by self-interested Clubs aided and abetted by a few loud mouth stirrers. Coupled with that and a lack of strong charismatic leadership it all turned to shyte. Now everyone is entrenched and the problems are not fixed and if anything are getting worse. Reinforcing that are half arsed renovations constrained by a lack of capital and expertise. Even those that had the capital didn't get it right and are now believing their own propaganda e.g. Ellerslie. The "iconic shape" justification is hilarious!

I have no idea. But in my opinion that track didn't play fair or consistent and I suspect the upgrades were done on polling the Jockey's.

In my opinion and experience supports that opinion the industry participants at all levels focus on the wrong things. For example isn't it more important to focus on the safety and consistency of tracks first rather than issues that are further down the line like counting whip strikes? When working in IT I used a process I learnt through an academic course that worked well. That process in brief was to identify the constraints (bottlenecks) in a system and elevate that constraint to the number one focus. The first step was to measure that part of the process accurately especially the variance from the mean - then assign all change resources to that constraint. The first step in the change proces was to remove the variance (make the process outputs consistent) and once that was done raise the mean. THEN only then once that constraint was eliminated focus on the elevate the next constraint. As you know for a very long time I've been advocating the focus of all the industry resources on fixing the tracks - making them more consistent, safer and fairer. If we did that you'd see an improvement in lots of other areas e.g. race riding tactics. You'd also see an improvement in revenue and a rise in the optimism of owners and trainers. The same should apply to rule enforcement. Focus on those rules that affect horse and Jockey safety. Whip strike counting and placement is a distraction that as you point out some major jurisdictions have less emphasis on.

Beating the Aussies at their own game! He will probably rate over 130 now.

Mmmm something doesn't seem quite right with those sectionals nor any of them. They upgraded to a Good 4 after Race 1 from a Soft 5 and then after Race 7 to a Good 3. Yet they barely broke 12's in the Race 7 over 1200m running 1:09.76.

@Huey best horse in the world bred in NZ!!

Ka Ying Rising