curious Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 NZTR to Consult on the Future of Jumps Racing New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has today released a consultation document to aid in deciding the future of jumps racing in New Zealand. The consultation, which will run through to September 6, presents two main options for the future of jumps racing: continuation with a dedicated strategy and additional investment, or a managed wind-down leading to eventual closure. Bruce Sharrock, NZTR Chief Executive Officer, has asked those involved in jumps racing to carefully consider the document and provide feedback with their preferred option. “Jumps racing in New Zealand is at a crossroads and as an industry we now need to decide what path we should take. Unfortunately, the economic reality means doing nothing is not an option,” said Sharrock. “We are asking participants to carefully read the document, understand the situation we’re currently facing, and ultimately provide feedback on their preferred option.” The consultation document outlines the work that has been done to arrest the decline in the participation of jumps racing as well as the broader contribution jumps racing makes to the thoroughbred racing industry. A number of reasons for the need to consult are laid out, supported by statistical analysis. These include: Decline in Jumps Racing Participation and Races: ● The number of jumps races in New Zealand has decreased from 122 in FY10 to just 61 in FY23. This decline mirrors a reduction in the participant base. Wagering Statistics: ● In the 2022/2023 season, the average turnover for flat races was $162k, significantly higher than the $91k average for jumps races. This disparity highlights a major challenge in the sustainability of jumps racing. Decline in Community Participation: ● The number of trainers participating in jumps racing has dropped from 146 in FY10 to just 54 in FY23. Similarly, the number of jockeys has halved over the same period. Only 22 jockeys were involved in FY23. Challenges in Jumps Racing Infrastructure: ● An audit revealed that the infrastructure supporting jumps racing is, at best, average. Riccarton Park remains the only South Island venue for jumps races. Sharrock emphasised that no decision will be made until 31 October 2024 and called for those responding to the consultation to give feedback on whether there were aspects of jumps racing that the document had not considered. “We encourage all participants and stakeholders to have their say. In particular, we would like to understand if their level of investment or participation is likely to change over the next 12 – 24 months and whether those participants would consider involvement with a dedicated investment strategy,” said Sharrock. “At this stage this is purely a consultation, and no decision has been made. Once the consultation closes, NZTR will spend some time analysing the responses and further working groups will take place before a final decision is made by 31 October 2024.” Those interested in responding to the consultation can download and review the consultation document using the link below. Feedback needs to be submitted by September 6, 2024 Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Catlyn Calder +64 27 252 2803 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted August 5 Author Share Posted August 5 https://nztr.co.nz/sites/nztrindustry/files/2024-08/Jumps Consultation Industry 05.08.24.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 Sad end in store. Read between the lines , Entain probably want it gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assange Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 53 minutes ago, curious said: NZTR to Consult on the Future of Jumps Racing New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has today released a consultation document to aid in deciding the future of jumps racing in New Zealand. The consultation, which will run through to September 6, presents two main options for the future of jumps racing: continuation with a dedicated strategy and additional investment, or a managed wind-down leading to eventual closure. Bruce Sharrock, NZTR Chief Executive Officer, has asked those involved in jumps racing to carefully consider the document and provide feedback with their preferred option. “Jumps racing in New Zealand is at a crossroads and as an industry we now need to decide what path we should take. Unfortunately, the economic reality means doing nothing is not an option,” said Sharrock. “We are asking participants to carefully read the document, understand the situation we’re currently facing, and ultimately provide feedback on their preferred option.” The consultation document outlines the work that has been done to arrest the decline in the participation of jumps racing as well as the broader contribution jumps racing makes to the thoroughbred racing industry. A number of reasons for the need to consult are laid out, supported by statistical analysis. These include: Decline in Jumps Racing Participation and Races: ● The number of jumps races in New Zealand has decreased from 122 in FY10 to just 61 in FY23. This decline mirrors a reduction in the participant base. Wagering Statistics: ● In the 2022/2023 season, the average turnover for flat races was $162k, significantly higher than the $91k average for jumps races. This disparity highlights a major challenge in the sustainability of jumps racing. Decline in Community Participation: ● The number of trainers participating in jumps racing has dropped from 146 in FY10 to just 54 in FY23. Similarly, the number of jockeys has halved over the same period. Only 22 jockeys were involved in FY23. Challenges in Jumps Racing Infrastructure: ● An audit revealed that the infrastructure supporting jumps racing is, at best, average. Riccarton Park remains the only South Island venue for jumps races. Sharrock emphasised that no decision will be made until 31 October 2024 and called for those responding to the consultation to give feedback on whether there were aspects of jumps racing that the document had not considered. “We encourage all participants and stakeholders to have their say. In particular, we would like to understand if their level of investment or participation is likely to change over the next 12 – 24 months and whether those participants would consider involvement with a dedicated investment strategy,” said Sharrock. “At this stage this is purely a consultation, and no decision has been made. Once the consultation closes, NZTR will spend some time analysing the responses and further working groups will take place before a final decision is made by 31 October 2024.” Those interested in responding to the consultation can download and review the consultation document using the link below. Feedback needs to be submitted by September 6, 2024 Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Catlyn Calder +64 27 252 2803 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz Perhaps the decline in participation and jumps races could be in part due to some of the programming and non availability of tracks. For two years Riccarton GN Carnival has been the only venue for jumps racing in the South Island. With the Ellerslie hill gone and the debacle that is Te Aroha - maybe NZTR could look a little closer at themselves before putting it back on trainers and jumps jockeys. People still need to make a living there Bruce. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 Great. MIA Sharrock publishes this negative shyte. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Green Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 Geez I thought the jumping was going great. Races have been outstanding this winter Who is Bruce Sharrock and what are his Qualifications? 3 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 5 hours ago, curious said: Wagering Statistics: ● In the 2022/2023 season, the average turnover for flat races was $162k, significantly higher than the $91k average for jumps races. This disparity highlights a major challenge in the sustainability of jumps racing. what be the stakes for this period? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 31 minutes ago, Jim Green said: Who is Bruce Sharrock and what are his Qualifications? Regardless of Qualifications - where is he? MIA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 Who can take those statistics as gospel? Of course the numbers of horses and trainers are down, not to mention jumping venues. What are they thinking to mention that Riccarton is the only South Island course to run jumping events? All by design and all to get rid of jumping completely. No decision to be made till 31 October?? Are we supposed to believe the decision has not already been made? The $400 jumps riding fee was easy to put in place because the jumping short term was already known. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted August 5 Author Share Posted August 5 The 2021 Directions Paper referred to - which is why there is no longer jumps racing in the SI and proposing new stakes which haven't changed 5 years later despite the Entain 20m a year. 5. Jumps racing Jumps racing has been an important part of the social fabric of racing and supports our desire to connect racing to different communities around the country. While there are challenges with the sustainability of jumps racing, the Board of NZTR continues to support jumps racing and in this context, has worked with stakeholders in developing a set of initiatives designed to improve its sustainability. Despite stakes increases and enhancements to the jumps racing programme, this part of the industry continues to struggle through: reduced participant numbers; reduced horse numbers (particularly in certain parts of the country); being dependent (to a large degree) on support from key stables in the Central Region; and a lower level of wagering interest, which translates into reduced revenue returns. Following discussions with Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, representatives of the National Jumps Racing Committee and other key stakeholders about the future of jumps racing, NZTR has formulated a set of focused proposals to better enable the sustainability of jumps racing. They are: Except for the Grand National Festival of Racing at Riccarton Park in early August, there will be no jumps racing in the South Island. There will be no more than 90 jumps races each season (depending on horse numbers and programming requirements). This represents a reduction in race numbers roughly equal to the number of South Island jumps races no longer held once jumps racing in the South Island is limited to the Grand National Carnival. NZTR to target total stakes of $2.83m (up from $2.25m), with the following stakes structure: Maiden races increasing to $20,000; Restricted Open races increasing to $30,000; Prestige races set at $60,000; All races that currently have stakes of above $60,000 to remain at current levels other than the Great Northern Steeplechase and Hurdle, which will both increase from $125,000 to $150,000. “Jumps racing has been an important part of the social fabric of racing and supports our desire to connect racing to different communities around the country.” 26New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Inc loveracing.nz/nztrNZTR Directions Paper Betting on our racing, our venues and initiatives to improve New Zealand thoroughbred racing Removal of nomination and acceptance fees for feature jumps races. Te Aroha will become the Northern Region’s key jumps venue once Ellerslie has been reconstructed. Accordingly, jumps races currently held at Ellerslie (including the KS Browne Hurdle, McGregor Grant Steeplechase, Great Northern Hurdle and Steeplechase, Pakuranga Hunt Cup) will all be held Te Aroha. NZTR acknowledges the significant contribution that Auckland Thoroughbred Racing has made in relation to these initiatives to support jumps racing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 2 minutes ago, curious said: NZTR acknowledges the significant contribution that Auckland Thoroughbred Racing has made in relation to these initiatives to support jumps racing. Eh?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 10 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: Eh?! Ditto!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted August 5 Author Share Posted August 5 43 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: Eh?! They paid NZTR $1.5m to support jumps racing while they closed to rebuild their track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted August 5 Author Share Posted August 5 8 minutes ago, curious said: They paid NZTR $1.5m to support jumps racing while they closed to rebuild their track. Correction $3m. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted August 5 Author Share Posted August 5 A financial contribution from ATR of $3m to NZTR to reflect and support the adjustments the jumping fraternity would have to make off the back of the redevelopment of the Ellerslie track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 Some adjustments. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 44 minutes ago, curious said: A financial contribution from ATR of $3m to NZTR to reflect and support the adjustments the jumping fraternity would have to make off the back of the redevelopment of the Ellerslie track. But didn't they also screw up a couple of Jumps Tracks? Like Te Aroha for instance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 "Support"? Pull the other one. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted August 5 Author Share Posted August 5 I wonder where the $3m actually went? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 4 minutes ago, curious said: I wonder where the $3m actually went? Well certainly not to dust the fences at Riccarton! Did you see the clouds of dust come out when they jumped at the weekend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 I suppose they don't even have to be accountable with the donation from Auckland. I'm picking the jumps have sat gathering dust for the past 12 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assange Posted August 7 Share Posted August 7 On 8/5/2024 at 9:22 PM, curious said: I wonder where the $3m actually went? So does anyone actually know where this money went? How do we find out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted August 7 Author Share Posted August 7 1 hour ago, Assange said: So does anyone actually know where this money went? How do we find out? It's in the paper. A financial contribution from ATR of $3m to NZTR to reflect and support the adjustments the jumping fraternity would have to make off the back of the redevelopment of the Ellerslie track. This saw a $1.5m injection into prizemoney over 5 years (2022 – 2026) and $1.5m being applied towards the reconstruction of the Te Aroha track in 2021/22 That was well spent wasn't it? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted August 7 Share Posted August 7 1 hour ago, curious said: $1.5m being applied towards the reconstruction of the Te Aroha track in 2021/22 Isn't that still a work in progress? 🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted August 7 Author Share Posted August 7 (edited) 9 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Isn't that still a work in progress? 🤔 Well the outcome of the spend is a proposal to close jumps racing. Why didn't they use the money to implement some sensible strategy to revitalise jumps racing? Say buy some safer OneFit hurdles and/or maybe portable plastic brush fences and put a decent programme of jumps racing in place à la Racing Victoria? Instead, as usual, they waste it on stakes and yet another disastrous track patch up and then come out with this proposal which is either close it down or come up with a strategy going forward and moan that there is a shortage of participants and wagering. FFS. Why not the consultation then when they had that money available? They still have absolutely no plan or strategy. Genius leadership. Edited August 7 by curious 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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