Chief Stipe

Are they wasting it? They are probably just doing the same old same old i.e. what has been happening for decades. At least though those with skin in the game - Owners, Trainers and Drivers are benefiting.

What other options were there? Maybe. But hopefully the ENTAIN license has conditions that ensure some of that revenue funds Racing. You all forget that at the end of the day ENTAIN have bought a monopoly license for the NZ market. That license will have conditions for both parties.

Correct. The noise from one quarter is pittiful.

Justify what? Pitty throwing his toys out of the cot - AGAIN! Or the fact Te Akau had 49 wins in the South Island at a strike rate of 6.22? Te Akau started their horses 305 times in the South Island and arguably lifted the quality of those races they competed in. South Island racing benefited. Pitman crying a river isn't the South Island way that I was brought up on. Imagine if Canterbury rugby moaned that Auckland and Waikato had all the advantages and they didn't.

It's a capital fund for future investment. Do you know something different?

Windsor Park Stud First Foal 2025.mp4 https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B4oEibVca/

The NZ TAB was insolvent. There weren't too many companies wanting to buy it for more than a dollar!

NZTR Establishes Industry Investment Fund to Secure Racing’s Future NZTR has announced the establishment of a dedicated Industry Investment Fund, a strategic initiative designed to support the long-term financial sustainability of the Thoroughbred racing industry in NZ. NZTR | August 06, 2025 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has announced the establishment of a dedicated Industry Investment Fund, a strategic initiative designed to support the long-term financial sustainability of the Thoroughbred racing industry in New Zealand. The Fund has been launched with $10 million in seed funding, representing a contingency reserve that remains accessible to NZTR if required. This initial capital provides a strong foundation for the Fund to begin operating and building confidence across the industry as a prudent and forward-looking investment strategy. “This is a significant milestone for the industry,” said Russell Warwick, NZTR Chair. “The Industry Investment Fund is about future-proofing racing in New Zealand and is a proactive step to ensure we have a sustainable and diversified financial base for generations to come.” To ensure both security and growth, the Fund has been diversified across multiple investment accounts and providers. This approach balances the need for long-term returns with preservation of capital, aiming to outperform traditional term deposit returns over time. Term deposit rates continue to track down with the lowering of the Official Cash Rate which is expected to reach 2.75% by the end of the year. As the Fund grows, NZTR expects to build on the capital sum from any proceeds from the venue consolidation process which is a key part of industry strategy. These additional contributions will help reduce the industry’s reliance on wagering revenue and establish a robust alternative income stream. The Fund’s performance and investment mix will be closely monitored by the NZTR Audit & Risk Committee, with regular reviews to ensure alignment with industry needs and financial best practices. “The Fund gives us an opportunity to build sustainable revenue streams and allows our existing capital to work for the industry,” Warwick added. “It’s not just an investment of capital; it’s an investment in the future of New Zealand racing.”

Advisory: Reducing Contamination & Adverse Swab Riskshttps://bitofayarn.com Issued 5 August, 2025https://bitofayarn.com This advisory offers practical guidance to help trainers reduce the risk of contamination. Responsible Medication Use When deciding on treatments, work closely with your veterinarian to choose registered medications that have well-established withdrawal periods. Always speak with your veterinarian about these timeframes and consider building in an extra safety buffer, to minimise any risk. Before administering any drug, verify the horse’s identity, use a new sterile needle for each animal, and change gloves between treatments. You are also required under the Rules to maintain accurate records, listing the horse’s identity, medication details, dosage and the administration date/time. It is best to only use commercially manufactured, registered products and ensure they are kept in a secure controlled location with the appropriate labelling. Stable Management & Contamination Control Organise your stable to physically separate treated horse(s) from race-ready stock by assigning clearly marked stalls and keep them in quarantine until the medication has cleared its system (use the withdrawal period and buffer as your guide). Designate specific treatment areas and ensure any shared equipment is disinfected thoroughly and allowed time to dry before use. Pay special attention to powdered oral medications: consider mixing them into dampened feed in an area separate to the feed room and horse boxes, do notre-use feed buckets unless scrubbed clean, and wipe your horse’s lips afterward to avoid airborne residues. If medication is injected, dispose of sharps (needles) and expired drugs through authorised medical waste channels, speak with your vet about how they can assist you in this. Do not dispose of sharps with general refuse. Whichever route of administration, refresh bedding in treatment stalls daily and schedule a weekly deep clean of all surfaces and maintain routine cleaning of high-touch fixtures using neutral pH detergents. Feed & Supplement Protocols Source feed and supplements from reputable equine specialists and ideally have robust quality assurance practices including batch testing and traceability. Inspect feed carefully and adopt a first-in, first-out use schedule. Use products that fully list ingredients to ensure safety and consistency. Staff Hygiene & Awareness Ensure staff and contractors are trained and understand their responsibilities to reduce the risk of contamination. Require staff to apply good hygiene practices, such as washing hands or changing disposable gloves before and after treatment tasks. Post reminders in key areas to avoid unsanitary practices, for example, human waste in yard areas has led to detectable residues of human medication or illicit drugs. Personal Medications & Recreational Substances Handle personal (human) prescriptions, like inhalers or EpiPens, with the same care as equine medications, for example wear gloves and wash hands afterwards. Store all personal medications in a designated area away from horse areas. Encourage staff to confidentially disclose any personal treatments and adjust their stable responsibilities accordingly. Set clear boundaries regarding recreational substance use. Pets, Livestock & Other Animals When other animals on the property need treatment, keep them away from racing stables until any medications have cleared from their system(s). Discuss with your veterinarian if there are risks regarding cross-species contamination. Clearly label their feed, medication and equipment to avoid accidental contamination with racing horses. Additional Strategies to Minimise Positive Samples Always double-check each horse’s identity before every treatment; a single mistake can lead to a positive result. Never re-use needles or syringes. Oral dosing tools should be dedicated to one medication and cleaned thoroughly between uses. Implement clear labeling on all equipment and medications. Consider introducing environmental swab checks in high-risk areas, like treatment stalls and tie-up rails, to identify residues. Implement cleaning logs and adjust protocols based on swab findings. Adopt conservative medication withdrawal practices by assuming detection times may exceed published values or may be impacted by specific factors specific to the individual horse (e.g. metabolic state). If you are in doubt, add at least an extra day or two to your usual safety buffer. A ‘better safe than sorry’ mindset can avoid an inadvertent positive sample. Safer treatment, cleaner stables Reducing the risk of prohibited substance detection or contamination starts with a clear principle: treat only when clinically necessary, using consistent, well-managed stable protocols. Medications may complement but must not replace appropriate rest or rehabilitation. All treatments should be guided by veterinary advice, supported by a diagnosis, and above all prioritise the horse’s welfare. Withdrawal periods must be strictly observed. Indiscriminate or frequent use increases the risk of contamination. While treatment supports equine welfare, it must be selective, justified, and controlled. An evidence-based approach reduces costs, eases withdrawal planning, and lowers the risk of breaches. RIB-contamination-prevention-advisory-.pdfhttps://bitofayarn.com

Dr Eliot Forbes discusses his work with Chrissy Fox on the Bred 4 Champions podcast Category: Announcements | Newshttps://bitofayarn.com Date: 06/08/2025 Dr Eliot Forbes joins Chrissy Fox to discuss his work with the NZ Racing Integrity Board, global leadership in the racing industry, and advancements in wagering integrity and animal welfare. https://bitofayarn.com

Perhaps the horses are tiring and would have run even slower if not whipped.

At the end of the day looking at it without any complexity. The number of wins in the South Island was: Te Akau 49 Strike Rate 6.22 Pitman 40 Strike Rate 10.5 So much for those saying Te Akau have an "appalling Strike Rate in the South Island" - it is actually better than their NZ average. @Scooby3051

My point exactly.

Ask @Pitman why it matters so much.

Perhaps. But Ballesty and NZTR are getting the most feral comments in social media. From the usual suspects I might add. I just don't get how some of these people like Colin Wightman @Transparency get away with it without inciting a legal challenge of some kind. @Freda you may have valid issues with the management local and nationally but some of the stuff Wightman is posting is way over the top. Most of it BS I might add. Plus there are NZTR license holders hiding behind non-de-plumes and proxies saying some way off comments. Even I have received those.

Original BOAY Thread:

Response from NZTR: Matt Ballesty Jul 24, 2025, 2:37 PM (11 days ago) to Darin, Chief Eliot responded on behalf of NZTR

Response from HRNZ: Hi Doug, Thanks for your emails. I caught up with Brad late yesterday and he has noted that Dr Forbes has responded on behalf of the codes, so HRNZ will not be responding separately. Kind Regards Leanne Leanne Holdem EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT & BOARD SECRETARY Phone 03 964 1194 Mobile 027 445 1414 Email leanne@hrnz.co.nz https://bitofayarn.com 114 Wrights Road, Christchurch 8024 PO Box 459, Christchurch 8140 www.hrnz.co.nz https://bitofayarn.com

Response from RIB: Dear Mr Graham, The letter was grounded in a clear and straightforward premise: to promote respectful conduct and professionalism across all sectors of the industry. It was intended to reaffirm the shared values fundamental to a healthy and sustainable racing environment.https://bitofayarn.com We consider that the letter articulates the position clearly, and we have no further comment to make at this time. Kind regards, Eliot Forbes Dr Eliot Forbes Chief Executive m: +64 27 354 9711 e: eforbes@rib.org.nz w: www.rib.org.nz https://bitofayarn.com

With Brent's prior approval his Open Letter was forwarded to Dr Eliott Forbes - CEO RIB, Mr Matt Ballesty - CEO NZTR and Mr Brad Steele - CEO HRNZ. Their respective responses are posted below - however note that the RIB responded on behalf of all three agencies. My email with the Open Letter attached was as follows: Dear Mr Steele My name is Doug Graham. I host and manage an online forum called Bitofayarn.com (BOAY). The Open Letter to the Racing Community: Adherence to Racing Codes of Conduct jointly published to all racing stakeholders by NZTR, HRNZ and the RIB was published on my site and elicited a number of responses. One poster has written his own Open Letter in response - Mr Brent Gardiner (@Curious) which has drawn a largely favourable response from other posters. I have attached his Letter to this email. Firstly I would like to say that I somewhat concur with the intent of your Open Letter having had to deal with some over the top posts from irate industry stakeholders. Trying to maintain a balanced debate while moderating the extreme views can be difficult at times. That said I have found some comments by known active participants in the racing industry to be way beyond common decency.https://bitofayarn.com You can view the debate on BOAY here: https://bitofayarn.com/topic/142345-an-open-letter-from-nztr-hrnz-and-the-rib/ I would interested to hear your response to Mr Gardiner's attached Open Letter and would be grateful if you would respond. I know Mr Gardiner personally and although we differ widely on some issues in the industry I know he is an active and passionate investor in the industry with the best intentions. That said he has felt first hand the impact of what he considers to be poor decisions made by the administrators of the industry. Regards Doug Grahamhttps://bitofayarn.com "Chief Stipe" - Bitofayarn

@curious response.Https://bitofayarn.com Open letter response to the recent open letter from the RIB, NZTR and HRNZ. Racing’s Call for Respect Risks Sliding into Authoritarianism By curious. An open letter recently issued by the Racing Integrity Board, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, and Harness Racing New Zealand aims to promote respect and professionalism in the racing industry. It outlines a unified stance against behaviours such as online abuse, public harassment, and negative commentary, and calls for all participants to model integrity and support one another. On the surface, the letter expresses admirable goals: protecting individuals' wellbeing, creating a safe environment, and upholding the dignity of the sport. But when examined more deeply, it raises serious concerns about how far central authorities are willing to go to control speech, enforce conformity, and discourage criticism. In the name of promoting unity, the message risks veering into authoritarianism. Central Control over What Can Be Said The letter promotes a singular, top-down vision of acceptable conduct—defined by governing bodies and enforced through disciplinary means. While civility and respect are important, when leadership dictates what constitutes “supportive” or “negative” behaviour, and equates the latter with moral failure or professional risk, the result is a chilling effect on open dialogue. Dissenting opinions—even those voiced in good faith—may be rebranded as harmful or abusive. This is not inclusivity; it is control..https://bitofayarn.com Https://bitofayarn.com Vague Standards, Broad Powers The letter cites “online abuse,” “unwanted attention,” and “negative behaviour” without defining them. This ambiguity gives the authorities wide discretion to determine what crosses the line. One person’s whistleblowing could be another’s misconduct. One person’s critique of governance might be labelled as “eroding trust.” Authoritarian regimes often thrive in such grey areas, where boundaries are not defined by law or principle, but by the mood of those in charge. The Threat of Punishment The letter makes clear that disciplinary action—including removal from participation—is on the table for those who breach these ill-defined standards. Without transparency about how such judgments are made, who hears them, or what recourse individuals have, this becomes less about justice and more about control. It fosters an atmosphere where people are less likely to speak out—Https://bitofayarn.comfor fear that their words might be misinterpreted as misconduct. The racing industry already operates in a tight-knit environment where reputations are hard-earned and easily destroyed. Introducing threats of punishment for loosely defined behaviour further concentrates power in the hands of a few, while silencing the many. Emotional Appeals as Tools of Compliance Finally, the repeated use of emotional language—“let’s stand together,” “lead with integrity,” “we all deserve to feel safe”—while seemingly benign, carries a deeper implication: that anyone who resists or questions the narrative is an outsider, undermining unity and progress. In authoritarian environments, emotional appeals are often deployed to equate obedience with virtue, and dissent with disloyalty. This framing discourages necessary friction and fosters an unhealthy culture of silence, in which genuine concerns or systemic issues are swept under the rug for the sake of "harmony." A Better Way Forward Respect in racing is vital. But respect must also be extended to those who speak out, ask hard questions, or challenge the status quo. If the industry truly wants to build a safe and inclusive culture, it must begin with transparent, democratic processes—not top-down decrees. There is a clear and present risk that the good intentions behind this letter could slide into an authoritarian approach to industry governance. Rules must be fair, specific, and consistently applied. Dissent must not be mistaken for disloyalty. And integrity must mean more than compliance—it must include courage, openness, and accountability at every level. Otherwise, New Zealand racing may find that in its effort to silence a minority, it has silenced the very voices that could have helped it grow. Open letter response from Brent Gardiner the RIB, NZTR and HRNZ (1).pdf

An open letter to the racing community from NZTR, HRNZ & RIB No images? Click here Open Letter to the Racing Community: Adherence to Racing Codes of ConductHttps://bitofayarn.com To all participants, members, volunteers, employees, suppliers, and supporters of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and Harness Racing New Zealand. New Zealand’s racing industry thrives because of the dedication, integrity, and passion of thousands of individuals, on the track, behind the scenes, and in our communities. Each of those individuals who run businesses, are employed, volunteer their time, or in other ways lend their positive support to racing and its participants play a vital role in ensuring our sport remains strong, inclusive, and future-focused. Unfortunately, there is a small minority of people whose persistent negative behaviour runs counter to these shared values. This may be either online abuse, personal attacks, public harassment or unwanted attention. These behaviours cause real harm, impacting individuals’ mental wellbeing, reputation or career, and eroding the trust and cohesion our sport depends on. Together, we have a collective responsibility to uphold the standards of respect, professionalism, and integrity that define a healthy and sustainable industry. Abuse, whether verbal, physical, written, digital or psychological, has no place in New Zealand racing. We all deserve to work and participate in an environment where people are treated with dignity. This is not just about compliance, it’s about maintaining a supportive and positive culture and community that more people want to be a part of. It’s about creating an environment where people feel safe, valued, and proud to be part of the racing industry. We ask everyone, regardless of their role, to lead by example, speak out when behaviour falls short, and support one another in maintaining high standards of conduct. As part of this commitment, our organisations have: Maintained strong channels to raise concerns or report misconduct, so individuals can confidently, safely and confidentially report concerns. Reinforced expectations for on-course behaviour at all race meetings and industry events. Confirmed that appropriate consequences will be applied, ranging from formal warnings up to disciplinary action or removal from participation in industry activities. Committed to strengthen each Code’s respective Rules of Racing, including explicit references to such misconducts and to the sanctions that may be imposed. This letter marks a united stance across equine codes and the Racing Integrity Board. We are committed to taking meaningful action, and just as importantly, to setting a positive and respectful tone for the future. Let’s lead with integrity. Let each of us call out poor behaviour. And let’s all stand together in creating a racing industry where everyone feels safe, supported, and welcome. Yours in racing, Racing Integrity Board New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Harness Racing New ZealandHttps://bitofayarn.com ☎️Racing Integrity Board Confidential Integrity Line Make an anonymous report by: calling 0508 742 123, or submitting information online via: www.integrityline-nz.org/rib ☎️OnTrack In a non-emergency, contact the OnTrack support line on 0800 667 224 for free, confidential support and assistance. Tel: 0800 667 224 (support line) Email: support@ontrack.org.nz

I suspect there is a system constraints and an air gap between the system that you update horse details in and the Website.

Geez now we are down to worrying about paperwork. Who knows perhaps Malmaison is heading back to Riccarton after his Taupo comeback trial.

Depends on what the deal was. Is 50% GBR, NBR or Gross Profit? Do your GBR figures include Sports? Actually I should ask Racing's new Prince of Darknes @Newmarket - he allegedly has all the facts.