Chief Stipe Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 Macau racing to end | RACING.COM www.racing.com Despite its rich history, horse racing in Macau is due to end in April this year, following the announcement that the Macau Jockey Club is set to terminate its contract with the Macau Government to race there. Zhang Yongchun, the Secretary for Administration and Justice for the Macau Government, stated through local media that the MJC had approached the government in 2023 about cancelling its contract to operate horse racing in the former Portuguese colony. The MJC's apparent reasons for this were due to their operational difficulties and the inability of horse racing activities to meet the current development needs of society. Despite this, the MJC continued to employ new staff members during this time, while owners had purchased horses with the intention of racing in Macau, not knowing there were plans to end the sport. It was only in 2018 that the MJC had its contract to run racing extended until August 2042. According to the Government, the declining popularity of racing in Macau led to the decision to accept the MJC's request to terminate the contract. While the MJC and the Government finalise the plans for the end of the MJC's tenure at Taipa Racecourse, close to several of the city's major casinos, racing will continue in Macau until April 1. Plans will also be put into place for the MJC's staff as well as the transportation of the horses there to new homes. The Macanese Government has also revealed that there will be no public tender for another operator to take over the horse racing licence in Macau, with the land that the racecourse is situated on to be handed back to the government. The MJC currently employs 570 staff and has approximately 205 horses racing in its jurisdiction, well below its one-time peak population figure of 1200 horses. Sad news coming out of Macau with the Macau Government set to rescind the horse racing contract from April 1.https://t.co/VGqjIKI7vY — Ian Malpass (@Ian_R_Malpass) January 15, 2024 First Singapore, now Macau https://t.co/86cFT88ugS — Fergal O'Brien Racing (@FOBRacing) January 15, 2024 Some of the world's great jockeys like Frankie Dettori and Lester Pigott, as well as Australia's Damien Oliver and Glen Boss, have all ridden in Macau. Other Australians like Noel Callow and trainer Mick Kent also enjoyed stints in Macau racing, while Australian horses make up a significant percentage of the thoroughbred population there. One source with a lengthy connection to the MJC had expressed hope that a new entity could take over the racing licence and give the industry a new life, pointing to the large population that lives in the region and the high volume of tourists that Macau attracts. The source also noted the strength of commingled pools between jurisdictions around the world as further evidence that Macau racing could be a successful venture for the right operator. "What a golden opportunity is being missed here," the source told Racing.com. "You've got a racetrack here that has been constructed, horses are here, it's proven in the past to be a very successful venture. It has just been awfully managed over the last decade or so." The news comes after the Singapore Turf Club announced last year that racing will end there in October 2024. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Centaur Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 With Macau and Singapore going one has to ask what New Zealand Racing authorities are doing to gather up the remnants of infrastructure, participants, customers etc. For example set up a low cost travel tourism business for racing fans from those areas. Computer and IT systems may be useful. At least ensure the NZ racing wagering product gets into those areas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 16 Author Share Posted January 16 12 minutes ago, The Centaur said: With Macau and Singapore going one has to ask what New Zealand Racing authorities are doing to gather up the remnants of infrastructure, participants, customers etc. For example set up a low cost travel tourism business for racing fans from those areas. Computer and IT systems may be useful. At least ensure the NZ racing wagering product gets into those areas. I would have thought that the obvious strategy would be to get the horses, trainers, jockeys and staff into NZ. You'd probably find that the punter fans would follow either in person or online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holy ravioli Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 30 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: I would have thought that the obvious strategy would be to get the horses, trainers, jockeys and staff into NZ. You'd probably find that the punter fans would follow either in person or online. Daft,not feasible in the real...world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 16 Author Share Posted January 16 38 minutes ago, holy ravioli said: Daft,not feasible in the real...world. Why is it "daft and not feasible"? They have to go somewhere. NZ is short of good Jockeys and quarantine issues with the horses can be overcome. But I take what you post with a grain of salt as you have admitted you have no interest in investment in the industry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holy ravioli Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said: Why is it "daft and not feasible"? They have to go somewhere. NZ is short of good Jockeys and quarantine issues with the horses can be overcome. But I take what you post with a grain of salt as you have admitted you have no interest in investment in the industry. What do you suggest...a giant airlift!!!🙄 I am the life blood of the...industry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 16 Author Share Posted January 16 15 minutes ago, holy ravioli said: What do you suggest...a giant airlift!!!🙄 Yep obviously you have no logistics experience either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Centaur Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 5 hours ago, holy ravioli said: Daft,not feasible in the real...world. What real world? There are several NZ players in Singapore & Macau e,g Stephen Gray Donna Logan etc each who have established their own client base. Bringing them back to NZ would be positive for here so NZTR should look at ways to attract them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holy ravioli Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 9 hours ago, The Centaur said: What real world? There are several NZ players in Singapore & Macau e,g Stephen Gray Donna Logan etc each who have established their own client base. Bringing them back to NZ would be positive for here so NZTR should look at ways to attract them. What you want NZTR to subsidise a private,for profit enterprise?Are you a Communist?😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 16 Author Share Posted January 16 22 minutes ago, holy ravioli said: What you want NZTR to subsidise a private,for profit enterprise?Are you a Communist?😉 Where was any subsidy mentioned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holy ravioli Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 5 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Where was any subsidy mentioned? 'Bringing them back to NZ would be positive for here so NZTR should look at ways to attract them' What do you think would work...a sack of...kumaras! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 16 Author Share Posted January 16 1 minute ago, holy ravioli said: 'Bringing them back to NZ would be positive for here so NZTR should look at ways to attract them' What do you think would work...a sack of...kumaras! The prospect of work when you don't have any would be a good incentive would it not? I realise that is a novel concept for you and the socialist left. NZTR could work with the various authorities e.g. Immigration etc and fast track licensing of trainers and jockeys. There are many horses in Singapore with NZ ownership - I'm sure some of the more competitive ones could find the stakes now on offer here as enough incentive to bring them back here. Where are the subsidies in that? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 Trackwork riders, for example, are in hot demand here. There must be some worth importing. May I suggest you put your question/s to NZTR for their Road Shows. They were calling recently for questions to be submitted as it looks as though questions from the floor may be prohibited this year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 17 Author Share Posted January 17 2 minutes ago, Special Agent said: Trackwork riders, for example, are in hot demand here. There must be some worth importing. I'm sure there are especially when it is hard to get locals to do it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holy ravioli Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said: The prospect of work when you don't have any would be a good incentive would it not? I realise that is a novel concept for you and the socialist left. NZTR could work with the various authorities e.g. Immigration etc and fast track licensing of trainers and jockeys. There are many horses in Singapore with NZ ownership - I'm sure some of the more competitive ones could find the stakes now on offer here as enough incentive to bring them back here. Where are the subsidies in that? Won't happen and you know it. Any incentives are obvious to industry players.Local trainers and jockeys will be over the moon at imports ...cutting their lunch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 17 Author Share Posted January 17 26 minutes ago, holy ravioli said: Won't happen and you know it. Any incentives are obvious to industry players.Local trainers and jockeys will be over the moon at imports ...cutting their lunch. Where do you think Stephen Gray and Te Akau horses will go when Singapore closes down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 15 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: Where do you think Stephen Gray and Te Akau horses will go when Singapore closes down? A few nice ones might make their way back. Others, Malaysia, riding clubs, the zoo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shad Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 Begs the question where will all the greyhounds go, when it finishes here, certainly plenty of them, may the animal rights community will take half a dozen each, I'm sure they'll be keen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 (edited) When is greyhound racing finishing here? Edited January 17 by Special Agent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honestjohn Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 I didn't know it was going back to the Chinese? I was there around year 2001 played the tables. We got the ferry from Hong Kong. Our hotel overlooked land being reclaimed. Massive earth works. can't see myself going back. think David wadely went there? Hj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaltedMilkshake Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 I see the owner of the other site openly stating he was involved in the euthanasia of 600 horses in China and feels guilty.? I believe he spent time in Malaysia, surely he knew what ending the horses copped up there or is he that naive? Did he think China/Macau was different did he? Cough cough 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assange Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 On 1/16/2024 at 9:21 PM, The Centaur said: What real world? There are several NZ players in Singapore & Macau e,g Stephen Gray Donna Logan etc each who have established their own client base. Bringing them back to NZ would be positive for here so NZTR should look at ways to attract them. Do you seriously think they will bring their clientele to race in NZ for $18,500 maidens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 18 Author Share Posted January 18 8 minutes ago, Assange said: Do you seriously think they will bring their clientele to race in NZ for $18,500 maidens? Why not? If the only option was dog tucker? Or the bush in Australia? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 Yes. Why not? Money is great and very much necessary but, some of racing's participants are in it for the enjoyment. Surely many in syndicates are not trying to become millionaires with their small ownership investment. Many trainers in the top end of the premiership still relish winning on industry days and appreciate those wins adding to their overall tally. When horses reach their mark, what is wrong with prolonging their competitive life? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 23 hours ago, Special Agent said: Many trainers in the top end of the premiership still relish winning on industry days and appreciate those wins adding to their overall tally. When horses reach their mark, what is wrong with prolonging their competitive life? Yes and the premierships are decided on number of wins not the stakes won. Wouldn't it be better for racing in NZ if we had bigger fields? We have these AWT's which those Macau and Singapore horses are used to running on - surely we could have some extra meetings programmed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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