hesi Posted 13 hours ago Author Posted 13 hours ago Racing heavyweights to have greater role in its direction Michael Guerin Racing Editor·NZ Herald· 31 May, 2025 05:00 AM5 mins to read Listen(05:15) Save Share Sir Peter Vela will chair a new high-powered advisory committee on the future of the racing industry. Photo / Trish Dunell Some of New Zealand racing’s biggest players and a very special expat have joined together to help steer the future of the industry. New Zealand Bloodstock owner and internationally-renowned breeder and owner Sir Peter Vela will chair a new advisory committee to TAB NZ – the regulatory arm of the national betting agency – which works alongside Entain, the company charged with running the day-to-day operations of the TAB and its associate brand Betcha. With the enormous firepower assembled on the advisory committee, their influence looks set to be felt throughout the industry at a crucial stage in its history. The committee was the idea of Racing Minister Winston Peters and TAB NZ chairman Bill Birnie, so it seems certain to have the minister’s ear, as it includes many of the most powerful people in the industry. Vela is joined by Cambridge Stud owner Brendan Lindsay, Waikato Stud boss Mark Chittick, big-time investor and breeder Greg Tomlinson, Ken Breckon, who owns giant harness racing operation Breckon Farms, and in a huge coup, champion expat trainer Chris Waller Waller lives in Sydney but took time out from a hectic week of sales and racing in Queensland to fly to New Zealand for the advisory committee’s first meeting in Auckland on Wednesday night. The committee is set to have at least one member added with both business expertise and detailed knowledge of the harness racing industry, to ensure the code is further represented. The group would be one of the most high-powered assembled in New Zealand racing history, with all having hugely successful business careers, many outside horse racing before all became enormous investors in the racing industry.The coming-together of the big six, soon to become big seven, comes at a time when New Zealand racing has made enormous advancements in the two years since Entain took over the running of the TAB, injecting expertise and much-needed investment into the struggling industry. Stakes have risen significantly and Entain has been able to grow turnover – but big questions remain around infrastructure and key drivers to ensure the growth continues. Among the most important issues will be tracks, particularly in thoroughbred racing, which continues to be plagued by abandonments, cancellations or unsatisfactory results after track renovations. They are proving enormously costly and are undercutting TAB/Entain’s forecasts as they can’t make money on race meetings that are cancelled. Another crucial factor in maximising turnover is the racing calendar, ensuring the most attractive product ends up in front of punters on the days they want to bet most. While both TAB NZ and Entain have input into that calendar, it is the codes that control and maintain the tracks and other infrastructure. Other key issues the committee will advise on include the breeding industry and how to stimulate the number of foals being bred in both codes, as more horses means bigger fields, which has a direct correlation to future turnover. Vela says although the industry has made enormous improvements since the TAB/Entain deal started, the advisory committee wants to ensure the best pathway forward, setting up the industry for long-term sustainability. Crucially, that includes when the five years of guaranteed returns under the TAB/Entain deal end and the codes have to be judged on their results and ability to implement key turnover drivers. “We have all been tremendously heartened by what has been achieved in the last two years and want to provide advice on the best way forward for the industry,” says Vela. “There are so many factors that go into making the racing industry sustainable, maximising its turnover and ensuring the momentum keeps going. “It was very encouraging having so much knowledge and expertise in that meeting on Wednesday and we hope we can help the minister, TAB NZ, Entain and the codes.” There will be no fees paid to the seven members of the advisory committee, all working pro bono for the future good of the industry. Birnie and TAB NZ chief executive Nick Roberts say the advisory committee will report back to their organisation in the first instance and recommendations can be passed on to the Racing Minister, Entain or the codes, or in some cases all three. “It is amazing to see so many of the industry’s genuine leaders wanting to give back their knowledge,” says Birnie. “To see Chris Waller fly in for 18 hours on Wednesday night to lend his knowledge is quite humbling when you think how busy he would be this week.” The formation of the advisory committee will also calm some of those who, while thrilled by racing’s renaissance, worry about its future sustainability as racing faces many of the same changes worldwide. Quote
curious Posted 13 hours ago Posted 13 hours ago 5 minutes ago, Freda said: I'd forgotten that....but why co-opt Chris Waller on to it if it is for TAB advisory purposes...? Well they allocate the funding to the codes don't they? So, I'd think he would have ideas about how that should be done, any conditions on that subject to legislation, etc.? Also, currently whether any of the extra legislative net payment should be distributed or kept in reserve, whether or not they should part fund the greyhound rehoming. Those sort of things and his familiarity with the Oz situation would probably be useful alongside his broader business acumen from within the industry. Quote
Brodie Posted 10 hours ago Posted 10 hours ago 3 hours ago, curious said: Do you mean the Vela advisory committee? That is advisory to TABNZ. Nothing to do with NZTR if that's what you mean. It appeared that this Committee suggested by Winston was going to be formed to help sort out all racing in NZ, both thoroughbreds and harness! has it ever been formed and anything discussed or just another load of baloney? Racing in NZ is well past the crossroads and is heading into demise bigtime unless they can have people actually do something about it! Personally speaking doesn’t really effect me there’s nothing more certain than a very reduced level of horse racing in NZ once the guaranteed funds from Entain are gone! Just reality but I believe we have a very short period to perform and not squander or it is over! Hopefully Brodie is incorrect but it does not appear to be pretty. Quote
curious Posted 6 hours ago Posted 6 hours ago 3 hours ago, Brodie said: It appeared that this Committee suggested by Winston was going to be formed to help sort out all racing in NZ, both thoroughbreds and harness! has it ever been formed and anything discussed or just another load of baloney? It had already been formed and met when it was first announced. Birnie and TAB NZ chief executive Nick Roberts say the advisory committee will report back to their organisation in the first instance and recommendations can be passed on to the Racing Minister, Entain or the codes, or in some cases all three. “It is amazing to see so many of the industry’s genuine leaders wanting to give back their knowledge,” says Birnie. “To see Chris Waller fly in for 18 hours on Wednesday night to lend his knowledge is quite humbling when you think how busy he would be this week.” https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/racing/racing-heavyweights-to-have-greater-role-in-its-direction/RNQFGP4AVNBLXIQBTKIIMQJTNQ/ 1 Quote
Huey Posted 6 hours ago Posted 6 hours ago The recommendations will be more of the same, sell up assets and we know what to do with the funds baloney! Quote
Brodie Posted 5 hours ago Posted 5 hours ago Looking forward to hearing what they have come up with to turn things positive for the future, without all the Entain cash splash? What they are currently doing with Entain money is only a band aid that will come off! Entain have got what they wanted and now it is up to racing to perform! Quote
curious Posted 5 hours ago Posted 5 hours ago 8 minutes ago, Brodie said: Looking forward to hearing what they have come up with to turn things positive for the future, without all the Entain cash splash? What they are currently doing with Entain money is only a band aid that will come off! Entain have got what they wanted and now it is up to racing to perform! Exactly. Just like to see more sign of them doing that. 1 Quote
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