So, who are all the people who are exiting the industry

[hesi]

I can't recall any trainers saying they are leaving.  No one else announcing they are moving to Aus

We all of a sudden seems to have a lot of 'new' jockeys.

Owners leaving ??

The undeniable fact is that stake money in NZ, while not a match for Aus, is the best it has ever been, and that will carry on for another 3 years at least.

Initial signs indicate some good horses coming through early season

Always young newcomers ready to take the place of those leaving.  I note that the thoroughbred industry is even advertising 'a career in the industry'

Parallel is hospitality.  We hear of so many leaving the industry or going broke.  But what we do not hear is the thousands of new start ups in hospitality

 

[mikeynz]

The biggest problem with NZ Racing is the continual obsession in NZ of worrying about what Australia are doing, but look,  different country's, different mentality to gambling, different weather and different populations, has it actually been much different, there are a lot of average stuff in OZ too, it's not all Flemington and Randwick, small crowds here is only the end product of TV, it's made people apathetic, ain't going to change that but Addington can still pack a good crowd on Cup Day.

[Bloke]

8 hours ago, mikeynz said:

The biggest problem with NZ Racing is the continual obsession in NZ of worrying about what Australia are doing, but look,  different country's, different mentality to gambling, different weather and different populations, has it actually been much different, there are a lot of average stuff in OZ too, it's not all Flemington and Randwick, small crowds here is only the end product of TV, it's made people apathetic, ain't going to change that but Addington can still pack a good crowd on Cup Day.

Depends on what you would judge as a good crowd Mikey. Cup Day at Addington used to attract 20k plus but in recent years maybe 7k?

[mikeynz]

On 8/27/2025 at 7:42 PM, Bloke said:

Depends on what you would judge as a good crowd Mikey. Cup Day at Addington used to attract 20k plus but in recent years maybe 7k?

Seems many of these places seem to have reduced capacity these days, you notice it when Hagley Park or the Basin are sold out yet there always seems lots of space, might be heath and safety or something, Addington with all those, tables umbrellas must affect capacity, used to be standing room only, times change I guess.

[Chief Stipe]

11 hours ago, mikeynz said:

Seems many of these places seem to have reduced capacity these days, you notice it when Hagley Park or the Basin are sold out yet there always seems lots of space, might be heath and safety or something, Addington with all those, tables umbrellas must affect capacity, used to be standing room only, times change I guess.

Addington Cup and Show Day are now pleasant experiences rather than crammed in fighting for food and drink.  Riccarton is still a shyte show.