Chief Stipe

Uh? AI provides mostly erroneous results particularly when the data set is tiny. Even when the data is significant it often gets it wrong. I'm not sure that would be a good thing for Integrity. I don't have a problem with paying professionals a professional salary.

Finishing line in sight for greyhound racing 12:05 pm today RNZ Gallery Racing Minister Winston Peters says greyhound racing is winding down around the world. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii Cabinet has formally agreed to shut down greyhound racing in New Zealand. The agreement cements an in-principle decision taken last year to end greyhound racing from 31 July 2026, in the wake of three major reviews of the industry over animal welfare and safety concerns. A bill will now be drafted to give effect to that decision, and will include setting up a transition agency - funded by the TAB - to manage rehoming of greyhounds and supporting industry members while the sport is wound down. Industry members will be supported as greyhound racing comes to an end, Winston Peters says. Photo: 123RF Racing Minister Winston Peters said having a comprehensive plan was crucial, and a ministerial advisory committee led by Heather Simpson had been consulting with sector representatives, rehoming agencies, animal welfare groups, and government agencies to plan out the process. "It is important people get the opportunity to have their say. The decision to end greyhound racing was not one Cabinet took lightly. I acknowledge the impact that closing the industry will have on those involved," Peters said. "But globally the industry is winding down, with Tasmania recently announcing an end to greyhound racing. The bottom line is too many dogs continue to die and be seriously injured, and it is time to do the right thing." He said the bill to bring the shutdown into law would be introduced to Parliament before the end of the year, and consulted on through the select committee process.

Finishing line in sight for greyhound racing 12:05 pm today RNZ Gallery Racing Minister Winston Peters says greyhound racing is winding down around the world. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii Cabinet has formally agreed to shut down greyhound racing in New Zealand. The agreement cements an in-principle decision taken last year to end greyhound racing from 31 July 2026, in the wake of three major reviews of the industry over animal welfare and safety concerns. A bill will now be drafted to give effect to that decision, and will include setting up a transition agency - funded by the TAB - to manage rehoming of greyhounds and supporting industry members while the sport is wound down. Industry members will be supported as greyhound racing comes to an end, Winston Peters says. Photo: 123RF Racing Minister Winston Peters said having a comprehensive plan was crucial, and a ministerial advisory committee led by Heather Simpson had been consulting with sector representatives, rehoming agencies, animal welfare groups, and government agencies to plan out the process. "It is important people get the opportunity to have their say. The decision to end greyhound racing was not one Cabinet took lightly. I acknowledge the impact that closing the industry will have on those involved," Peters said. "But globally the industry is winding down, with Tasmania recently announcing an end to greyhound racing. The bottom line is too many dogs continue to die and be seriously injured, and it is time to do the right thing." He said the bill to bring the shutdown into law would be introduced to Parliament before the end of the year, and consulted on through the select committee process.

Alledgedly by a Andrew Knowler Open Letter to the New Zealand Racing Establishment This industry is being strangled by boards, bureaucrats, and blazers who cost a fortune and deliver nothing. Owners, trainers, breeders, and punters are footing the bill so administrators can keep their cushy seats warm. Enough. Here are the facts: $13 million wasted on “Racing Integrity.” $14 million blown on NZ Thoroughbred Racing. That’s $27 million a year — $11,000 a race. 4,300 starters last year at $6,279 per horse. That money isn’t going into prize money, better tracks, or promotion of the sport. It’s vanishing into meetings, reports, and salaries. The TAB board? Just another layer of highly paid suits clipping the ticket. No transparency. No accountability. Another trough for insiders while grassroots participants struggle to stay afloat. A nine-raceday card burns about $100,000 in governance costs before the first horse even walks into the birdcage. A hundred grand gone to administration before the product even exists. It’s waste, pure and simple. And let’s name it: NZTR’s board — Cameron George, Sir Peter Vela, and the rest of you — this is on your watch. Costs balloon. Stakes stagnate. Participants drown. Where’s the leadership? Where’s the courage to clean house? Or is it easier to nod through another round of “business as usual” while pocketing the fees? “Integrity” is the most abused word in this industry. Real integrity would mean cutting the fat, ending duplication, and getting money back to the people who actually put horses on the track. Instead, the current model exists to protect jobs, not the sport. Here’s what must happen now: Cut the boards: NZTR reduced to five members max, term limits enforced, seats openly contested. One lean integrity unit: No overlapping empires. Independent, efficient, accountable. Full salary disclosure: Every director, every executive, every consultant — published. No more hiding. Hard cap on admin costs: NZTR + RIU + TAB together capped at 5% of turnover. No excuses. Redirect savings to stakes: Every dollar stripped from bureaucracy must go straight into prize money and grassroots infrastructure. Performance contracts only: Miss targets, you’re out. No golden handshakes. No endless extensions. Independent reviews every 3 years: By international experts, not insiders marking their own homework. This isn’t complicated. Slash the boards. Cut the wastage. Put the money where it matters. If you don’t, you’ll go down as the people who killed New Zealand racing — not through lack of passion, but through suffocating it under layers of board papers and inflated salaries. The industry is bleeding out while you polish your chairs in Wellington. Enough. The people who actually run horses, ride them, and pay the bills are done waiting. Change — or get out of the way.

Obviously doing the same thing you are accusing the current management of i.e. being ineffectual or doing the wrong things.

It would if the Government banned betting on imported Greyhound racing wouldn't it?

Yes but is ENTAIN entitled to compensation for losing NZ Greyhound revenue? Or did they know it was going to happen when they signed up? Banning betting on imported Greyhound racing would I think be a bridge to far this Government. However it has always been a risk for ENTAIN where on one side they have purchased a business with a monopoly license and all its benefits but on the other side that license is subject to political whims.

Where were you when they needed you Sideline Sam?

At least they are attempting to repair the decades of neglect and waste by your generations lack of foresight and planning. Or were you born a sideline cynic @Huey ?

The Prince of Darkness returns and again goes off half cocked. For your information I have mentioned in detail the AUSTRAC vs ENTAIN statement of claim and the associated process. There is a lengthy Thread on BOAY discussing the detail if you care to look for it. I doubt you have the stamina to read the full 640 pages let alone comprehend them especially relative to other cases AUSTRAC has taken on. If you had then you would have an understanding of the penalty precedents and where the ENTAIN case sits relative to those. The subjective term "not pretty" is meaningless. Not correct. A decline in wagering in OZ for a number of reasons has affected all agencies. Some more than others. ENTAIN is more profitable than most in OZ. The wagering decline has necessitated a review and adjustment of stakes. Nothing to do with freebie offers that your gambling is dependent upon. I doubt you realise that most offers reduce the value ofyour return anyway. Why not? There is no legislation proposed to stop it. You have no idea what ENTAIN was expecting as evident in your surprise that they have achieved a 12% increase in NGR when you were predicting a decline. If there is a disparity between what the TABNZ/NZ Government/DIA figures promised and other promises that were made as enticement to buy an insolvent business then perhaps ENTAIN has a potential claim against the Government. Winston might yet end up with egg on his face.

So what's next?

LMAO. What a bunch of heroes. What's your next campaign? Ban two year old racing? Force Owners to look after horses from the foaling paddock until they are 30?

Don't bother advertising here. But there in lies your contradiction as you and @Thomass are using "racing media" although NZ's Premier Anti-Racing Site could hardly be called "racing media".

RACE Awapuni September Meetings to Be Rescheduled Following a track inspection held Monday 18 August at RACE Awapuni, attended by representatives from New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), RACE Inc., the Racing Integrity Board (RIB), consultant Liam O’Keeffe, the New Zealand Jockeys Association and senior trainers, it has been confirmed that the upcoming September meetings at the venue will be rescheduled. The inspection team noted that grass growth on the course proper has not progressed as hoped, largely due to ongoing cold temperatures, and the surface requires further time before it is ready to safely return to racing. As a result, the following meetings will be moved to alternative venues: Saturday 6 September Saturday 20 September All parties who attended the inspection on Monday 18 August will reconvene in mid-September to reassess the track’s progress. The track will continue to be closely monitored through this period. At that time, a decision will be made on whether to proceed with return-to-racing protocols ahead of the scheduled meeting on Saturday 11 October. Venue and programme updates will be confirmed by NZTR and advised in due course. Issued by the Office of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing 18 Dick Street, Cambridge 3434 Tel: 0800 WINNER (946 637) International: +64 4 576 6240 office@nztr.co.nz

Then send your screen shots directly to the enforcers not post them on social media. Although it would seem allegedly only 70 out of 4,500 "active members" support you. Office of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing 18 Dick Street, Cambridge 3434 Tel: 0800 WINNER (946 637) International: +64 4 576 6240 office@nztr.co.nz I assure you that BOAY will not be a part of your crusade. Suggest you join SAFE.

95% of the electorate don't want the Maori Party either lets ban it. If Winston can play with democracy under MMP to get a few thousand extra votes why can't the same apply to horse racing? BTW any Jockeys left you haven't bagged in your Anti-Racing crusade?

So we ban everything that doesn't get 51%?

So much for the alleged uneven ground at Te Aroha!!!

He's by Street Cry the same sire as Winx was by.

Precisely that's why it is very annoying to see the industry kowtowing to a very small minority. Sure the majority of people may not follow racing as a sport but it doesn't mean they hate it. We head down a slippery slope if we bend to the Anti-Racing idiots. It is unbelievable that some online social media groups/forums purport to be Pro-Racing but give airtime to those who are blatantly Anti it. De Lore does make one point (not very well) which seems to be the key premise of his opinion piece and that is banning Greyhound Racing is a vote counting decision. That is purely political. Logic has gone out the window. Everyone relates to a dog as a pet and the majority of the population have had one or know one who has had that cute loyal canine. Doesn't mean that the majority have no idea how to look after one properly!!! Yet we don't see SAFE campaigning for the elimination of obesity in pet dogs. Hell no that would put thousands of vets out of work!

Well Leaderboard does have UK 3yr old staying form.

Much of the article is illogical. Unfortunately it represents the view of a negative vocal group. A group I might add who still think the industry owns the TAB and have visibility to all the detail. De Lore also seems confused about the respective roles of TABNZ and ENTAIN and the latter's NZ brands TAB and BETCHA.

Perhaps it isn't the head but where the eyes are looking. Obviously with a shadow roll they can't see the ground beneath and can only see further forward. I might ask a couple of trainers what they think.

I see Fortuna bought Leaderboard in the UK for about NZD$200k.

Leaderboard has now won over AUD$800k including a Wellington Cup. Paid $50 to win that day. Won 12 times now. Overall the three horses in the trifecta have won over AUD$1.5m.