Murray Fish Posted Friday at 06:40 PM Share Posted Friday at 06:40 PM Racing Industry Who will be the next chief executive of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing? By Bren O'Brien - November 07, 2024 The word ‘leadership’ may have only featured twice in John Messara’s landmark 2018 report into the New Zealand racing industry, but it shapes as the most crucial aspect of thoroughbred racing realising the potential of the landmark Entain deal signed only last year. Two key positions in the New Zealand industry are up for grabs, including chief executive of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. (Image: Supplied) The sugar hit from Entain’s initial investment through the NZ TAB has been significant. Prize money leapt upwards, turnover increased and bloodstock investment surged, but after a litany of issues around tracks and management of race clubs, there is a concern about where the long-term strategy is at. While the headlines said it was a 25-year-deal, Entain’s guaranteed funding is for five years and the clock is ticking after 18 months that all that has been promised to be delivered can be delivered. One of the criticisms of the current regime was a lack of progress on several key aspects, including clubs and track rationalisation. Those issues were brought to a head when two key Hawke’s Bay Group 1 meetings had to be moved, while a recent feature public holiday meeting at Te Rapa was also shifted. You can imagine the impact such changes have on wagering and on the mood of the key wagering partner. None of these problems are surprising to anyone who has read the Messara Report. The issues have been identified, the solutions put forward, and a key plank, a proper wagering partner, has been put in place. But resistance to change remains and the challenge is now to find the leadership at New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing to achieve cut-through and make the necessary changes. The departure of Sharrock after two and half years gives NZTR a clean slate. The Straight understands two key positions will be advertised this month, the CEO role and a key Head Of Racing role. We have taken a look at a selection of possible candidates for the chief executive position. Sharrock walks - New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing seeking a new chief executive Paul Wilcox Wilcox has been the CEO of New Zealand’s biggest race club, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, for the past seven years and has played a crucial role in a $55 million renovation of the Ellerslie racetrack, which includes the installation of a StrathAyr track. The transition from club administration into a role like that of NZTR is not always easy. Auckland Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Paul Wilcox. (Photo: Auckland Thoroughbred Racing) But Wilcox also boasts connections and experience in the bloodstock world having been a director of NZB for four years as well as being involved with Pencarrow. Prior to that, he was in senior sales and account roles with liquor giants Lion. Nick Roberts Roberts is the CEO of TAB NZ, having served in that role for just on 17 months. He had previously worked closely in getting the Entain deal done in a role titled Chief Transition Officer and before that General Counsel with the TAB. He would possess an excellent understanding of Entain and the TAB’s perspectives on how to action and prioritise change at NZTR, having also overseen significant changes in his current role, including the TAB’s move to Wellington. The fact he comes from outside the racing industry bubble may prove appealing to those looking to shake the status quo. Jason Fleming Originally coming from a finance background, Fleming has worked in a host of racing roles, including six years as Hawkes Bay CEO and seven years as a director at NZTR. He arrived at TAB in the role of General Manager Commercial and Finance in August last year and has worked closely with Nick Roberts. Fleming has strong racing credentials as well as financial and business development skills which would be appealing for NZTR. Brad Steele Steele has only been in the role of CEO of Harness Racing New Zealand for six months but has made several key changes already which have driven double-digit wagering growth, something that would be the envy of any other harness jurisdiction. This position may come up a little too soon, but the former Queensland-based banker is making an impression. Andrew Seabrook Well-known as the managing director of New Zealand Bloodstock, Seabrook has a long history in racing and bloodstock. Born into racing, Seabrook briefly considered a career in accounting before being lured to what was then Wrightson’s Bloodstock in 1992. New Zealand Bloodstock managing director Andrew Seabrook. (Photo: NZB) The company changed name, but Seabrook has never changed companies. He is well-connected in the racing and breeding sphere and is well-liked and respected. Nick Johnson Johnson relocated from the United Kingdom to take the job as chief executive of Thoroughbred Breeders Association in October last year. Prior to that, the Kiwi-born executive worked in commercial sales and marketing for flooring companies. Johnson maintained his connection to racing and breeding through his bloodstock agent brother Dylan. Andrew Birch Birch has been CEO of New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing for 13 years and is well-connected and well-liked within racing, breeding and bloodstock circles. He also spent time working in the bloodstock industry as well as at race clubs and is a Darley Flying Start graduate. Sam Moncur Moncur has substantial wagering experience through five years at TAB NZ, where he worked in senior financial, operations and media roles, while he has spent the last 18 months at Entain as deputy chief financial officer. Prior to that, he spent over six years with the New Zealand Racing Board, having worked as a financial analyst. Cameron Rodger Rodger is currently managing director of Entain in New Zealand, so it would be more of a sidestep than a step up, but he does have extensive racing and wagering experience. He was in senior corporate, legal and commercial roles at TAB NZ, while prior to that worked for the NZ Racing Board for seven years. Entain New Zealand Managing Director, Cameron Rodger (Photo: Entain) Across the ditch The NZTR CEO role would also appeal to racing and wagering executives based in Australia. As an example, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia CEO Tom Reilly was a leading candidate for the role the last time it was advertised. RWWA’s CEO Ian Edwards would be a good fit, having spent four years in his current role, while his chief racing officer David Hunter is also well-regarded. Both of those men have led a bold media and wagering strategy in WA. Hunter could be a possible candidate for either the CEO or the Head Of Racing role. Similarly, Greg Rudolph, currently at Racing SA, or Charlotte Mills, who is at Moonee Valley Racing Club. Matt Welsh, formerly of Racing Victoria, is another possible candidate as Head of Racing. Former Melbourne Racing Club CEO Josh Blanksby is between jobs, while it appears departed Brisbane Racing Club CEO Tony Partridge is out of the running as he has taken a role in Saudi Arabia. Vicky Leonard, the New Zealand-born media and marketing executive, who has extensive connections in the breeding and racing industry, is another possible candidate for the CEO role. “It’s been under-invested for decades” - Entain windfall can’t mask old problems for NZ racing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trojan Posted Friday at 07:50 PM Share Posted Friday at 07:50 PM Surely not Wilcox. Tracks are NZ's biggest issue and can you say the Ellerslie rebuild has been a resounding success? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted Saturday at 11:31 PM Share Posted Saturday at 11:31 PM That's an interesting list compiled by an avid observer from afar. Is there anyone more local who may have been overlooked for the role/s? How many would be chomping at the bit to take it on? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzza Posted Sunday at 12:17 AM Share Posted Sunday at 12:17 AM 45 minutes ago, Special Agent said: That's an interesting list compiled by an avid observer from afar. Is there anyone more local who may have been overlooked for the role/s? How many would be chomping at the bit to take it on? Cameron George will stick his oar in somewhere, unfortunately. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted Sunday at 12:22 AM Author Share Posted Sunday at 12:22 AM 49 minutes ago, Special Agent said: That's an interesting list compiled by an avid observer from afar. I find he brings a intellectual component that is lacking in most racing writing! https://thestraight.com.au/author/bren/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted Sunday at 12:26 AM Author Share Posted Sunday at 12:26 AM 51 minutes ago, Special Agent said: How many would be chomping at the bit to take it on? I'm sure anyone with a decent understanding of 'things racing' wouldn't! The last one properly entered knowing more than most! How long did he ask? Gee, how many since Alan Fenwick retired? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted Sunday at 01:16 AM Share Posted Sunday at 01:16 AM When you think back to Allan's time in the chair, how would his salary compare to what they get today? It would be nice if we didn't get a cast off from another country. I notice Darin Balcombe and Bruce Sherwin have not been mentioned for either of the roles. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trojan Posted Sunday at 02:55 AM Share Posted Sunday at 02:55 AM 1 hour ago, Special Agent said: I notice Darin Balcombe and Bruce Sherwin have not been mentioned for either of the roles. Why would Balcombe be in the running based on his Club efforts and more recently as COO of NZTR?! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted Sunday at 03:25 AM Author Share Posted Sunday at 03:25 AM I note his comments about 'mentoring'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted Sunday at 03:32 AM Author Share Posted Sunday at 03:32 AM 2 hours ago, Special Agent said: When you think back to Allan's time in the chair I note his comments about 'mentoring'! v's today, where often 'they' have gone for someone with very little historical connection or nuanced understanding oh nz racing history! Often, its seems to have been, picked some who we can get to champion the current 'party line' ps, a bonus question! note the shallowness of the writers understanding from where certain horses came from Lifelong passion for the track earns Allan Fenwick an ONZM Paul Mitchell June 05, 2017 •06:00am 0Comments Share Marton's Allan Fenwick has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.PAUL MITCHELL / FAIRFAX NZ Allan Fenwick had no idea what was coming when he checked the mail at his Marton home last week. It came in a crisp envelope, more "official-looking" than most, but just another envelope in the pile. As he opened it, he pulled out a piece of paper telling him he was about to be made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his long service to New Zealand horse racing. ADVERTISEMENT Advertise with Stuff ADVERTISEMENT Advertise with Stuff "That was a very unexpected. It was a huge surprise and a thrill. "I'm pleased to think thoroughbred racing is being recognised and I was one of the people lucky enough to be identified for that recognition." Over the past 54 years, Fenwick has grown from an enthusiastic youth watching from the stands to a man deeply involved at almost every level of New Zealand horse racing. Fenwick has served as chief executive of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, as a member of the International Cataloguing Standards Committee representing the Asian Racing Federation, and a board member of the TAB and the NZ Racing Authority. He still works passionately to honour the industry's past, with continued advocacy and support for the Racing Hall of Fame, which began 11 years ago. Fenwick has en eye on the future too, through his work with the Central Region Apprentice Academy and the NZ Equine Research Foundation. "I'm probably too fully immersed to be honest," Fenwick said. "I'm very fortunate to have the support of my wife Susan, who has been very supportive right throughout my career." ADVERTISEMENT Advertise with Stuff Susan Fenwick also came from a horse training family and shared her husband's love for horses and racing, something they've passed to their three children. "Through us, racing has been a huge part of their lives, and to a greater or lesser degree, we're all racing tragics," Allan Fenwick said. One of his most lasting memories was cheering from the stands in 1963 as Great Sensation won his third Wellington Cup in a row. He's still one of only two horses since the turn of the 20th Century to win the cup three times. But it was watching local Manawatu and Rangitikei legends from the 1960s and 70s, like Grey Way and Copperbelt, or "jumping horses", like Kumai, at the Awapuni Racecourse, that truly sparked his interest. Fenwick said he was fortunate to become part of Awapuni Racecourse's "huge racing tradition". As a centrally located racecourse, it has for years attracted some of the biggest names in New Zealand racing. "I was very fortunate in my early days to be mentored by Bill Freeman, then manager of the Manawatu Club, Herrick Perry, Jim Bull from Rangitikei, and Jack Bennett, a former chairman of the Racing Authority and the TAB." You can learn a lot by listening to the stories of those who've gone before. Circumstances change, but the lessons often stay the same, he said. By 1993, those lessons had helped Fenwick begin a 12-year tenure as chief executive of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. ADVERTISEMENT Advertise with Stuff During that time he oversaw a period of reform, including the introduction of the Judicial Control Authority and a national racing bureau to manage race entries, payments and fees to trainers, owners and jockeys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted Sunday at 06:25 AM Share Posted Sunday at 06:25 AM And of course Allan followed Haf Poland who was there for even longer. They don't hang around so long these days. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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