Chief Stipe

Yep I'm saying otherwise. Stopping punters overseas was on the agenda a long time before ENTAIN came along. I guess detail isn't your speciality.

I'd say he's had more opportunities than you regardless.

Can you explain how it was "ENTAIN'S decison"?

I've got my eye on one that beat him twice.

Like that Loo. Where do you buy them?

FFS does it matter? If you are a Trainer don't you have bigger issues to focus on? DO YOU AGREE OR NOT AGREE THAT SAM BERGERSON DESERVES HIS AWARD? IF NOT WHY NOT?

I'm over this whining. Why isn't everyone on the phone telling NZTR what they want? Besides the weather being absolute shyte (worse to come which is normal) can't all these trainers speak to each other and TELL NZTR what they want? Of that doesn’t happen then post all the correspondence online and have a real gripe. Personally I'm really really over Trainers and Owners that don't organise themselves and nail the decision makers. Reminds me of a body corporate - the all have the same problem but can't agree on how to fix it!

Why just single out "Southern Trainers"? Been any number of abandonments at BIG meetings in the North Island this season. Hawkes Bay and Te Rapa come to mind. For reasons not directly related to weather either!

Really? Do you want social media to vote on ANYTHING? I think the awards are well deserved. Take for instance Sam Bergerson. He had to work double this year as Mark Walker was often in OZ setting up the Cranbourne stable. A challenging period and as expected a slight drop in performance BUT still over $9m in stakes and top of the premiership with a pretty decent strike rate of 6.35.

I guess if you fund it you can judge it. Shame in a way that these initiatives aren't led by TABNZ or NZTR and have a wider voting BUT it is a positive. Perhaps a bit less in top end stakes should fund it?

No doubt. Probably a dietician. I've been lucky to visit Te Akau Stud and spend a few hours there. Karyn and David are really quite down to earth and genuine people. The environment out there would be just perfect to make a comeback from. Separate house, good meals, fully equipped gym, all the future spring horse talent has been spelling out there so can been seen each day - tempting for any horseman. Basically rehab on steroids (is that an oxymoron?).

Now you are only diminishing the achievements of an up and coming young Trainer. Partnered with a master in Mark Walker. I've been fortunate to meet Sam a few times over a period of time and he is growing quickly in all aspects of being a Public Trainer. I recall turning up at 5:30 in the morning to watch Trackwork and him telling me I was late and had missed half the work!!! Yes there are other up and coming young trainers and some good ones who will be recognised in their own time. After meeting a few of them it saddens me often when I see GOM's diminishing their efforts either directly or indirectly. We should embrace the fact that NZ still has a lot of dedicated young talent and Te Akau as much as any stable enabled that.

Hmmm...how would knowing who voted change the outcome?

His "peers" would in the normal use of the word mean licensed trainers.

David Ellis is a bit of a gym bunny and has a fully equipped gym at the stud farm. I'm sure he would have been motivating OP.

Why would there be any special terms on his licence? He will still be like many Senior Jockeys (and some not so senior) who constantly have weight management issues. That said if he were to be contracted to ride for specific stables on a retainer I imagine that it would be stipulated in the contract what the expectations around weight were.

THERE IS ONLY ONE! OPIE BOSSON CONFIRMS COMEBACK 🔥🍊🏆 Opie Bosson Returns for New Season! Https://bitofayarn.com Te Akau Racing is delighted to announce that Hall of Famer Opie Bosson ONZM, one of New Zealand’s greatest jockeys, has today confirmed that he will return to the saddle for the new racing season beginning 1 August. Bosson stepped away from race day commitments in early 2024, having achieved a remarkable 99 Group One victories and over 2100 career wins, creating an enduring legacy few in New Zealand racing can match. Now, after a year working closely within Te Akau Racing - both riding trackwork at our Matamata base and playing a hands-on role at Te Akau Stud - Bosson has made the decision to return, refreshed and highly motivated for the challenges ahead. “Stepping back from raceday riding gave me the time to take stock of everything,” Bosson said. “But riding trackwork every day, working with this new crop of horses at Te Akau, and getting fitter than I’ve been in years - I’ve rediscovered how much I love it. The drive is there. I want to give it another crack. I’m serious about it.” Bosson, who was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2023 and awarded an ONZM for services to racing, admits the spark and desire was reignited over recent months. “We’ve (Te Akau) got a stunning team of horses coming through for the new season - one of the best I’ve seen in a long time - and being a part of their development has made me want to be there on race day too. I’m enjoying working hard on my fitness, and I’d love nothing more than to bring up Group One number 100, and beyond.” Te Akau Racing Principal David Ellis CNZM said he was proud to support Bosson’s return, emphasising the dedication and professionalism he has shown during his time off the track. “Opie has been working every day in the gym at the farm, riding trackwork, and contributing to our programme on the farm and at the stables,” Ellis said. “He’s as focused and determined as ever, and you can just see he's rejuvenated and the enthusiasm is real. He hasn’t made this decision lightly - he’s earned the right to make this comeback on his terms, and we’re right behind him.” Ellis added: “We all know the incredible contribution Opie has made to Te Akau Racing. More than 50 Group One wins for our stable alone, six Karaka Millions' victories, iconic rides on horses like Imperatriz, Probabeel, Avantage, and Melody Belle. He’s a once-in-a-generation rider.” Bosson 's return is not a change of heart - it's the next chapter in a truly exceptional career, driven by a deep connection to the horse, the thrill of race riding, and a passion that clearly remains undimmed. “I understand some might be surprised by the decision,” Bosson said. “But for me, it’s come from a place of genuine passion and purpose. I’ve taken the time, I’ve done the work, and I know I’m ready. I’m coming back because I love the industry, I love the horses, and I still have goals I want to achieve - and that includes chasing Group One win number 100.”

That has been proven to be a very successful career step for those previous so I would expect nothing less from young Bergerson. An intelligent, hard working young man with an exceptional pedigree.

I already had - the TABNZ is a statutory monopoly. They just closed a leak. I guess they could have trumped the problem and put a tariff on it.

Good luck barking up that tree.

Wby would the Commerce Commission be interested? The TABNZ has always been a statutory monopoly. Competition or rather leakage has only been an issue since the internet started to offer overseas alternatives. The current legislation just closes tbat door through which the horse had bokted.

A very very good horse that filly.

September.

No he hasn't been "a trainer for 5 minutes". Was training horses since his grandad Herb showed him a horse. Aiden O'Brien said he was the best young horseman he'd had at Ballydoyle. Your claim to fame?

Sam Bergerson still gets up at 3:30am each morning to train horses and often still there until the early evening.