Chief Stipe Posted Monday at 10:48 PM Posted Monday at 10:48 PM NZTR Strengthens Leadership with World-Class Appointments - NZTR nztr.co.nz New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has further strengthened its senior team with three key appointments, following an extensive global and local search to secure the best talent for the future of the sport. Newly named General Manager – Racing, Mitch Lamb, brings over 25 years of experience across international racing, wagering and media markets. Lamb’s leadership has powered growth at OlyBet in Europe, Tabcorp, William Hill and Sky Channel, with a proven track record in audience growth, content innovation and building high-performing teams. Joining him is Zac Reynolds, appointed General Manager - Brand Experience, Communications & Industry Promotion. Reynolds is a seasoned marketing leader with nearly two decades in global horse racing and sports wagering, including senior roles at Tabcorp, Sportingbet, Churchill Downs, BlueBet and bet365. He has also founded two successful agencies in the US, delivering innovative, digitally led fan engagement strategies Charlotte Mills has been appointed Racing Consultant (12-month term). Mills brings over a decade of executive experience from Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA), where she served as Chief Racing Officer and led on animal welfare, racing operations, industry engagement, and national strategy. “These appointments follow a rigorous search - both here in New Zealand and internationally - to ensure we have the right people in the right roles,” said NZTR Chief Executive Officer, Matt Ballesty. “Our industry needs bold decisions and a relentless focus on engaging participants, challenging the status quo, and growing our fan base. These leaders bring world-class expertise, proven results, and a passion for racing that will help secure the future of New Zealand Thoroughbred racing.” These appointments complete a recent management restructure that also includes the appointment of General Manager - Strategy and Transformation, Dan Smith and General Manager - Welfare and Industry Capability, Sam Fursdon. To further sharpen its racing strategy, NZTR is also establishing a Racing Think Tank to guide programming, the racing calendar, and the national pattern. The wider industry will have an opportunity to provide input, with more details to come. Lamb and Reynolds will relocate full-time to Cambridge, while Mills will split her time between New Zealand and Australia in her support role. “Supporting and growing local capability remains a key priority – we're building a team that will help our sport prosper for generations to come,” Ballesty added. Quote
Chief Stipe Posted Monday at 10:49 PM Author Posted Monday at 10:49 PM For those wanting wagering experience you have got what you wanted in spades. Quote
Special Agent Posted Monday at 10:59 PM Posted Monday at 10:59 PM 7 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: For those wanting wagering experience you have got what you wanted in spades. Yes. NZ Racing Conference is no longer just administration and governing body for racing and breeding. It has morphed into a branch of the TAB. 1 Quote
curious Posted Monday at 11:37 PM Posted Monday at 11:37 PM And the participant 'think tank' concept is interesting. Not opposed to the idea but haven't we done enough thinking by now? It's surely time for some action? 1 Quote
Special Agent Posted Tuesday at 12:12 AM Posted Tuesday at 12:12 AM 34 minutes ago, curious said: And the participant 'think tank' concept is interesting. Not opposed to the idea but haven't we done enough thinking by now? It's surely time for some action? Agreed. Has everyone completed the Kantar survey? 2 Quote
Chief Stipe Posted Tuesday at 12:13 AM Author Posted Tuesday at 12:13 AM 1 hour ago, Special Agent said: Yes. NZ Racing Conference is no longer just administration and governing body for racing and breeding. It has morphed into a branch of the TAB. Then haven't you got what you asked for in another Topic? Greater focus on the customer - the punter? Quote
Chief Stipe Posted Tuesday at 12:15 AM Author Posted Tuesday at 12:15 AM 36 minutes ago, curious said: And the participant 'think tank' concept is interesting. Not opposed to the idea but haven't we done enough thinking by now? It's surely time for some action? I dont think many have actually done that much thinking. The majority have just pitched and moaned and looked for scapegoats. Or focussed on the wrong things such as you have done. Quote
curious Posted Tuesday at 12:21 AM Posted Tuesday at 12:21 AM 4 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: I dont think many have actually done that much thinking. The majority have just pitched and moaned and looked for scapegoats. Or focussed on the wrong things such as you have done. Oh, so what are the right things that we should be focussed on? Quote
Special Agent Posted Tuesday at 12:23 AM Posted Tuesday at 12:23 AM 4 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: Then haven't you got what you asked for in another Topic? Greater focus on the customer - the punter? Well you see, I don't think the main customer of NZTR should be the punter. I believe the site in particular should be first and foremost a working tool for trainers, jockeys, owners and stud masters. Afterall, that is where transactions are completed and information pertaining to their trades is sought. The TAB website is geared for punters. 1 1 Quote
Special Agent Posted Tuesday at 12:29 AM Posted Tuesday at 12:29 AM 11 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: Or focussed on the wrong things such as you have done. What are the wrong things? Wrong things according to whom? Did you agree with the survey question to reallocate prize money on technology and upgrading facilities? Quote
curious Posted Tuesday at 01:45 AM Posted Tuesday at 01:45 AM 1 hour ago, Special Agent said: Agreed. Has everyone completed the Kantar survey? I didn't get it ... yet Quote
Freda Posted Tuesday at 02:11 AM Posted Tuesday at 02:11 AM 1 hour ago, Special Agent said: Agreed. Has everyone completed the Kantar survey? Yeah. Quote
Chief Stipe Posted Tuesday at 02:25 AM Author Posted Tuesday at 02:25 AM 1 hour ago, Special Agent said: Did you agree with the survey question to reallocate prize money on technology and upgrading facilities? Didn't get the survey. Technology directly related to racing yes. Facilities for horses yes. Grandstands NO. 1 Quote
Huey Posted Tuesday at 06:02 PM Posted Tuesday at 06:02 PM The fact they are available to come here is concern enough for me, we have such a great record in recruitment. Looks like ENtain did the interviews. Quote
curious Posted Tuesday at 06:37 PM Posted Tuesday at 06:37 PM 16 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Didn't get the survey. Technology directly related to racing yes. Facilities for horses yes. Grandstands NO. I wonder how they selected the survey participants. It obviously didn't go to all owners or all licence holders, or all TAB account holders. Quote
hesi Posted Tuesday at 10:34 PM Posted Tuesday at 10:34 PM Kantar would have done the selection of people to survey, professionally. Their own reputation and the quality of the result is on the line if they didn't Quote
hesi Posted Tuesday at 10:48 PM Posted Tuesday at 10:48 PM 22 hours ago, Special Agent said: Well you see, I don't think the main customer of NZTR should be the punter. I believe the site in particular should be first and foremost a working tool for trainers, jockeys, owners and stud masters. Afterall, that is where transactions are completed and information pertaining to their trades is sought. The TAB website is geared for punters. While what you say is absolutely correct, the lines are blurred in racing. Racing depends almost totally on the money from gambling to fund the industry. Sports such as rugby and cricket etc etc derive most of their income from broadcast rights, sponsorship and spectator attendance income, only a small fraction comes from gambling. NZTR have never really marketed racing in NZ, small stuff like Xmas at the Races, Love Racing website, but this to those already in the industry. It does not have a marketing budget of any note, clubs are basically left to market their own meetings, mainly on limited budgets. TAB has been the only marketing of any note or size, and that has gone to a new level with Entain, but they are promoting wagering and therefore indirectly racing Quote
Chief Stipe Posted Tuesday at 11:42 PM Author Posted Tuesday at 11:42 PM NZ racing hires Australian trio for leadership shake-up www.nzherald.co.nz NZTR recruits three Australians to key positions 1 Oct, 2025 09:47 Mitch Lamb and Charlotte Mills are among two key appointments made by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.https://bitofayarn.com New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has a plan and believes it now has the people to implement it. The code’s ruling body has announced three key appointments to its leadership to implement strategies in what will be a crucial next period for the industry. NZTR chief executive Matt Ballesty announced the appointments, all Australians, with a wink to his home country. “It was a global search and that meant we had applicants from across the world, including Australia and here in New Zealand,” says Ballesty.https://bitofayarn.com “I like to think we have got one over the Australian industry by luring three high-qualified people to come help us run New Zealand thoroughbred racing.” “Our industry needs bold decisions and a relentless focus on engaging participants, challenging the status quo and growing our fan base,” says Ballesty. “These leaders bring world-class expertise, proven results and a passion for racing that will help secure the future of New Zealand thoroughbred racing.”https://bitofayarn.com NZTR has looked and felt short on key personnel for some time, with the day-to-day running of the industry and dealing with emergencies such as meeting abandonments leaving little time for putting strategies in place and working on the longer-term issues, most importantly infrastructure. NZTR has employed Mitch Lamb as its general manager of racing. Lamb comes from a background at Olybet in Europe, Tabcorp, William Hill and Sky Channel in Australia. NZTR says he has a proven record in audience growth, content innovation and building high-performing teams.https://bitofayarn.com Zac Reynolds has been appointed general manager of brand experience, communications and industry promotion. NZTR says Reynolds is “a seasoned marketing leader with nearly two decades in global horse racing and sports wagering, including senior roles at Tabcorp, Sportingbet, Churchill Downs, BlueBet and bet365. “He has also founded two successful agencies in the US, delivering innovative, digitally led fan engagement strategies.” Lamb and Reynolds will move to Cambridge to work from NZTR’s head office. Charlotte Mills, who is the head of racing for the Moonee Valley Racing Club, has been appointed as a racing consultant for the next 12 months. Mills is highly respected for her work at The Valley and also brings over a decade of executive experience from Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA), where she served as chief racing officer and led on animal welfare, racing operations, industry engagement and national strategy. The appointments complete a recent management restructure that also includes the appointment of long-time employee Dan Smith as general manager of strategy and transformation and Sam Fursdon as general manager of welfare and industry capability. “To further sharpen its racing strategy, we are also establishing a Racing Think Tank to guide programming, the racing calendar and the national pattern,” says Ballesty. https://bitofayarn.com “The wider industry will have an opportunity to provide input, with more details to come.” Quote
NZTR recruits three Australians to key positions 1 Oct, 2025 09:47 Mitch Lamb and Charlotte Mills are among two key appointments made by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.https://bitofayarn.com New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has a plan and believes it now has the people to implement it. The code’s ruling body has announced three key appointments to its leadership to implement strategies in what will be a crucial next period for the industry. NZTR chief executive Matt Ballesty announced the appointments, all Australians, with a wink to his home country. “It was a global search and that meant we had applicants from across the world, including Australia and here in New Zealand,” says Ballesty.https://bitofayarn.com “I like to think we have got one over the Australian industry by luring three high-qualified people to come help us run New Zealand thoroughbred racing.” “Our industry needs bold decisions and a relentless focus on engaging participants, challenging the status quo and growing our fan base,” says Ballesty. “These leaders bring world-class expertise, proven results and a passion for racing that will help secure the future of New Zealand thoroughbred racing.”https://bitofayarn.com NZTR has looked and felt short on key personnel for some time, with the day-to-day running of the industry and dealing with emergencies such as meeting abandonments leaving little time for putting strategies in place and working on the longer-term issues, most importantly infrastructure. NZTR has employed Mitch Lamb as its general manager of racing. Lamb comes from a background at Olybet in Europe, Tabcorp, William Hill and Sky Channel in Australia. NZTR says he has a proven record in audience growth, content innovation and building high-performing teams.https://bitofayarn.com Zac Reynolds has been appointed general manager of brand experience, communications and industry promotion. NZTR says Reynolds is “a seasoned marketing leader with nearly two decades in global horse racing and sports wagering, including senior roles at Tabcorp, Sportingbet, Churchill Downs, BlueBet and bet365. “He has also founded two successful agencies in the US, delivering innovative, digitally led fan engagement strategies.” Lamb and Reynolds will move to Cambridge to work from NZTR’s head office. Charlotte Mills, who is the head of racing for the Moonee Valley Racing Club, has been appointed as a racing consultant for the next 12 months. Mills is highly respected for her work at The Valley and also brings over a decade of executive experience from Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA), where she served as chief racing officer and led on animal welfare, racing operations, industry engagement and national strategy. The appointments complete a recent management restructure that also includes the appointment of long-time employee Dan Smith as general manager of strategy and transformation and Sam Fursdon as general manager of welfare and industry capability. “To further sharpen its racing strategy, we are also establishing a Racing Think Tank to guide programming, the racing calendar and the national pattern,” says Ballesty. https://bitofayarn.com “The wider industry will have an opportunity to provide input, with more details to come.”
Special Agent Posted Wednesday at 12:41 AM Posted Wednesday at 12:41 AM 6 hours ago, curious said: I wonder how they selected the survey participants. It obviously didn't go to all owners or all licence holders, or all TAB account holders. Only to the "valued" ones as that is how it was addressed. Quote
Huey Posted Wednesday at 06:27 PM Posted Wednesday at 06:27 PM 19 hours ago, hesi said: While what you say is absolutely correct, the lines are blurred in racing. Racing depends almost totally on the money from gambling to fund the industry. Sports such as rugby and cricket etc etc derive most of their income from broadcast rights, sponsorship and spectator attendance income, only a small fraction comes from gambling. NZTR have never really marketed racing in NZ, small stuff like Xmas at the Races, Love Racing website, but this to those already in the industry. It does not have a marketing budget of any note, clubs are basically left to market their own meetings, mainly on limited budgets. TAB has been the only marketing of any note or size, and that has gone to a new level with Entain, but they are promoting wagering and therefore indirectly racing Isn't the marketing etc implied in the funding provided by NZTR? Quote
Huey Posted Wednesday at 06:28 PM Posted Wednesday at 06:28 PM 17 hours ago, Special Agent said: Only to the "valued" ones as that is how it was addressed. I got one and I've never been "valued" ... I mean never! Quote
Huey Posted Wednesday at 06:33 PM Posted Wednesday at 06:33 PM This screams the guy has no idea! “I like to think we have got one over the Australian industry by luring three high-qualified people to come help us run New Zealand thoroughbred racing.” The participants have always been engaged, one of its major problems has been how its been run by the governing body. “Our industry needs bold decisions and a relentless focus on engaging participants, challenging the status quo and growing our fan base,” says Ballesty. The industry needs a change of direction , not a relentless focus on continuing to do the same things over and over again that have never worked! My main concern , whose gonna Manage The Grand Tour!!! Quote
Chief Stipe Posted yesterday at 06:18 AM Author Posted yesterday at 06:18 AM 11 hours ago, Huey said: Isn't the marketing etc implied in the funding provided by NZTR? How do you have 'implied marketing"? Quote
Huey Posted 21 hours ago Posted 21 hours ago 12 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: How do you have 'implied marketing"? $ value Quote
Chief Stipe Posted 18 hours ago Author Posted 18 hours ago 3 hours ago, Huey said: $ value If a budget or the financial accounts indicate projected or actual expenditure then it is hardly "implied"! Quote
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