The Rundown from NZTR CEO

[Chief Stipe]

MESSAGE FROM NZTR's CEO

Hello and welcome to issue one of THE RUNDOWN, NZTR’s new industry update. Here you’ll find a straight look at what we’ve been working on and what’s next. You’ll also see a short video outlining our 2025 Strategy and the direction we’re taking together over the next few months.

We’re in the thick of Spring racing and, with the weather throwing a few curveballs, there have been plenty of calendar and programme changes. Thank you to our Participants, Clubs, the Racing Integrity Board, Entain, and our Recognised Industry Organisations for staying flexible. We know changes create cost and complexity, and we appreciate the Clubs that have picked up additional races and meetings, particularly in the Central Districts.

We’ve now run the first three Group 1 races of the season - the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) and Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Ellerslie Racecourse, and the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Waikato Thoroughbred Racing’s Te Rapa Racecourse. The early confirmation of these venue moves gave trainers and owners certainty in planning their campaigns, which has been reflected in the strong and competitive fields seen so far.

We recently distributed an NZTR Stakeholder Survey and received more than 1,300 responses. We appreciate the valuable input from across the industry and look forward to sharing the results in due course.

Across the Tasman, I was on course at Royal Randwick last weekend for Everest Day, hosted by Andrew Vouris (CEO Entain Australia & New Zealand) and the Entain team. It was an incredible event, with more than 50,000 on course and, remarkably, almost 60% under 26. In just eight years, The Everest has grown from an ambition to an iconic fixture on the Australian sporting calendar, and it’s given us plenty to think about as we shape The NZB Kiwi slot race for Champions Day with the team at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing next year.

For the Kiwis, the highlight was undoubtedly Ka Ying Rising (NZ) winning the AU$20m Everest. And in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, NZ-breds Ceolwulf (NZ), Mr Brightside (NZ) and Pier (NZ) filled the top three placings - a clear reminder of the class and quality of New Zealand-bred horses on the global stage, and real inspiration as we build towards 2026.

Looking ahead, Project Stamina is progressing well, with the appointment of professional services nearly complete. The review is expected to commence in November.

Finally, thanks for taking the time to read this update. If you have feedback or suggestions for future editions, we’re keen to hear them, and we’ll keep you posted on progress in the months ahead.https://bitofayarn.com

 

 

Yours in racing, https://bitofayarn.com

Matt Ballesty
Chief Executive Officer 
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today we’re releasing NZTR’s 2025 Strategy - a clear plan to strengthen and modernise New Zealand racing.

Every race tells a story - of the horse, the people behind it, and the sport we share. This strategy sets the next chapter: improving how we care for and understand the Thoroughbred, lifting the quality and appeal of our racing, working more effectively as one industry, and building a sustainable future for everyone involved.

We’ve captured the essentials in a short video. Please take a moment to watch (click the image below) and consider how your role, your Club, or your organisation contributes to this plan.

 

 

 

 

 

RICCARTON PARK IRRIGATION

The irrigation upgrade is up and running at Riccarton Park Racecourse. We’ve completed the final checks and staff training, and the system is performing well. Pop-up heads on the inside and outside give even coverage, which is essential on windy days.

In short:

• Course Proper: 251 pop-up sprinklers and 5,860 metres of pipe
• Training Facility: Irrigation now to the Grass, Plough, and Sand/Cinders tracks
• Total footprint: 796 sprinklers across 15,820 metres of pipe

We're looking forward to welcoming an international-scale crowd at Canterbury Jockey Club’s upcoming New Zealand Cup Week meeting in just under three weeks. This year’s programme also flips the traditional order of the Guineas, with the Group 1 Barneswood Farm 53rd New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) opening the Carnival and the Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 53rd New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) staged on Martin Collins New Zealand Cup Day.

 

HASTINGS RECAMBERING https://bitofayarn.com

Work is underway to reshape the Hastings bend so the track has a consistent, safer camber. The recamber project is being managed by Evergreen, who also built Pakenham Racecourse. Since Tuesday 30 September, a specialist machine has been lifting thin 50mm slices of turf from the racing surface. The turf is harvested from areas of the course proper, then relayed on the reconstructed areas.

Stage one (the 1400m bend and starting chute) is close to finished, with relaying ongoing over the next few days. This method is new for a New Zealand racecourse but is common in Australia.

Stage two targets the 100m past the winning post, which is the section that caused issues last year. The plan is to lower the inside by up to 50mm and build up the outside using tested topsoil sourced on site, creating an even camber through the turn. We’re keeping disturbance to the racing surface as low as possible.

Once the reshaping is complete, the track will bed in and the grass will regrow over the coming months. We’re aiming to have Hastings back racing for Hawke's Bay Racing's Spring Carnival next year, subject to growth and routine testing, and we’ll keep you updated as we hit each milestone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RACE AWAPUNI

At RACE Awapuni, we’re continuing a staged return-to-racing plan with close monitoring of the surface. I want to acknowledge the significant work from the Club and their wider team, alongside VRC consultant Liam O’Keeffe, and to thank participants for their patience and flexibility. We’re now targeting a restricted barrier trials meeting on Thursday 30 October as the next step. It’s about timing - we’ll return when we’re confident the surface is right, we’ll keep the updates coming, and our aim is to have Awapuni back to reliable, regular use as soon as possible.

 

 

 

PATTERN RACES

The New Zealand Pattern Committee released its annual report on 22 September, which you can read here, with accompanying commentary from NZTR's Senior Handicapper Bruce Sherwin available to view here.

Early signs are positive, with the first two Group 1 races contested this season having met the required international ratings tolerance for their status. These ratings are still provisional and can shift as form lines develop and horses run again. A creditable black-type pattern is an important part of a viable Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. And it has to maintain international credibility and relevance for our industry to sustain. 

 

THE NZB KIWI

NZTR is pleased to confirm the final list of 10 New Zealand stakes races that will form part of the $1 million Bonus Eligible Race Pool attached to The NZB Kiwi (1500m), the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race. 

In addition to the $4 million base stake of The NZB Kiwi (1500m), a further $1 million will be distributed in bonuses to horses that win one of the designated lead-up races and go on to place in the top three of The NZB Kiwi, staged on Champions Day at Ellerslie Racecourse on 7 March 2026.

The season’s first NZB Kiwi Bonus-Eligible race is fast approaching - the Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m), taking place Monday 27 October at Waikato Thoroughbred Racing's Te Rapa meeting. You can view the full list of NZB Kiwi Bonus Eligible races here.

 

 

 

 

NATIONAL THOROUGHBRED WEEK

National Thoroughbred Week runs 20-24 November 2025, opening the gates to stables, studs, and aftercare centres across New Zealand and Australia. Events are free, with bookings required. 

This year’s hook is the “Bring Five Mates” challenge: if you’re already involved, bring five friends who aren’t - let them meet a Thoroughbred up close and see the work that happens behind the scenes.

Expect hands-on experiences (from trackwork demos to life-after-racing insights), timed just after Melbourne Cup Week to make the most of public interest. 

Registrations are now open and there is still time to get involved if you were thinking of hosting an event.  We’d love your help spreading the word to newcomers in our industry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

GM - SPECIAL PROJECTS

Darin Balcombe moves into the role following more than two decades in the racing industry and a successful tenure as NZTR’s Chief Operating Officer, applying his deep industry experience and operational insight.

 

 

 

 

GM - WELFARE & INDUSTRY CAPABILITY

Sam brings over 15 years experience in the New Zealand racing industry, her work has spanned horse welfare and industry development, applying a strong evidence-based approach built on a Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies and project-management qualifications.

 

 

 

 

GM - RACING

With over 25 years’ experience in international racing, wagering and media, Mitch has led growth and innovation across OlyBet Europe, Tabcorp, William Hill and Sky Channel, specialising in audience engagement and high-performing teams.

 

 

 

 

RACING CONSULTANT

Charlotte has been appointed Racing Consultant (12-month term) and 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.

 

 

 

 

GM - BRAND EXPERIENCE, COMMUNICATIONS & INDUSTRY PROMOTION

Zac brings nearly 20 years in global racing and wagering, including senior roles at Tabcorp, Sportingbet and Churchill Downs, and founding two US agencies focused on digital fan engagement.

 

 

 

 

GM - STRATEGY & TRANSFORMATION

Dan has been with NZTR since February 2018, leading major strategic projects such as the LOVERACING.NZbrand launch and The Grand Tour Racing Festival. Before NZTR, he held a strategy role at TAB (now Entain) and brings 20+ years of experience across racing and wagering.

 

 

 

 

[Huey]

Groundhog day , again and again and again,

Someone new reiterates and generalises the same regurgitated nonsense that has been said before!

[Chief Stipe]

2 hours ago, Huey said:

Groundhog day , again and again and again,

Someone new reiterates and generalises the same regurgitated nonsense that has been said before!

Pray tell.  Share with us all what you would have written.  I realise it will be a struggle getting out more than two coherent sentences that link together but then it is only Wednesday!!

[curious]

6 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Pray tell.  Share with us all what you would have written.  I realise it will be a struggle getting out more than two coherent sentences that link together but then it is only Wednesday!!

There's nothing for him to write about really is there?

[Chief Stipe]

6 minutes ago, curious said:

There's nothing for him to write about really is there?

Obviously neither of you have anything to write of any substance.