Chief Stipe Posted April 10 Posted April 10 Fuel package to provide relief for horse racing industry News National https://bitofayarn.com Author Michael Guerin, Publish Date Fri, 10 Apr 2026, 4:53pm A fuel subsidy will help owners, drivers, jockeys and clubs with the rising costs associated with racing. Photo / NZME New Zealand racing bosses have announced a temporary fuel relief package of up to $1 million to support participants, providing short-term relief in response to recent sharp increases in fuel costs.https://bitofayarn.com The package, developed in collaboration with horse racing’s governing bodies New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ), will retrospectively apply from April 1, 2026, with parties continuing to monitor conditions and reviewing, as necessary.https://bitofayarn.com TAB New Zealand chief commercial and industry officer Jason Fleming said the initiative reflects the company’s role in supporting the racing industry through a period of external disruption. “Rising fuel prices, particularly diesel, which is up 69% in the past 28 days, are placing real pressure on owners, trainers, drivers, jockeys and clubs, and ultimately on the sustainability of race meetings,” Fleming said. “This is a targeted, time-limited package designed to help participants through an exceptional period of volatility, while ensuring the continuity and resilience of the racing calendar.” Under the relief structure, money will be delivered through the existing participant payment systems of the two racing codes. It will include support for trainers and drivers/jockeys, owners of horses finishing outside the top four and clubs to offset increased operational costs.https://bitofayarn.com The support structure is simple, equitable and efficient to administer to ensure assistance flows to those directly affected by fuel costs, particularly those essential to delivering race meetings week‑to‑week. “This is targeted short‑term support in response to an external cost shock, whereby the code bodies have sought financial assistance from TAB NZ over and above their core distributions,” said Fleming.https://bitofayarn.com NZTR general manager racing Mitch Lamb said similar fuel relief initiatives have recently been implemented by Racing NSW and Racing Victoria, reflecting a broader industry response across Australasia to rising fuel costs. “We have looked closely at how our Australian counterparts are responding to the same pressures. This package is well aligned with those approaches, while being tailored to New Zealand’s industry structure.” 'Tough time for the country': Willis reacts to latest NZ fuel stocks update Rideshare giant announces fuel surcharge in NZ as drivers hit hard by rising prices Gull petrol stations run dry again as fuel prices surge past $3 a litre HRNZ chief executive Brad Steele said: “Our focus via the additional funding has been to maintain continuity and participation during what is hopefully a finite period of disruption.”https://bitofayarn.com TAB NZ chairman Bill Birnie acknowledged and thanked the Racing Minister Winston Peters for his support of the initiative.https://bitofayarn.com The subsidy will be subject to review, reflective of how the fuel crisis develops, with a maximum of $250,000 paid for each month from April 1 to July 31. Quote
curious Posted April 10 Posted April 10 12 minutes ago, Trojan said: Pointless - will only benefit the main float companies. Anyone seen how this will work and why would you exclude horses finishing in the first 4? Quote
curious Posted April 11 Posted April 11 NZTR, HRNZ & TAB NZ Introduce Temporary Fuel Relief Packagehttps://bitofayarn.com New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), supported via funding from TAB NZ and in collaboration with Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ), will introduce a temporary fuel relief package to help ease some of the financial pressure rising fuel costs are placing on industry participants. The package will apply to eligible Thoroughbred and Harness race meetings and will be backdated from 1 April, running until 31 July 2026. The package is a joint response from the three organisations and reflects a shared commitment to supporting participants across both codes during a challenging period. The support measures are: · Owners of all horses that start and finish outside the top four placings will receive a $50 payment · Trainers with a runner that starts at a meeting will receive a $40 payment per meeting (one payment per individual or training partnership) · Jockeys and drivers will receive a $40 payment per meetinghttps://bitofayarn.com · Clubs will receive a $500 payment per meeting NZTR General Manager - Racing Mitch Lamb said the package was designed to provide some practical support at a time when rising fuel costs were being felt across both codes. “Across the board, the impacts are being felt, and it made sense for the industry to respond where it could,” Lamb said. “We’re grateful to TAB NZ for its support, and to HRNZ for working alongside us on an approach that allows us to provide some help to participants across both codes.” “There are still a number of unknowns, but this is a practical step that can be taken now. It was also important that the package was fiscally responsible and simple to administer.” No action is required from participants. Payments will be made through existing payment and Club settlement processes across each code. The package will apply to race meetings through to 31 July 2026 at this stage. NZTR will continue to monitor conditions and keep participants updated on any further changes. If fuel disruption were to ease, then TAB NZ, NZTR and HRNZ will review the subsidy within a short notice period. For more information, please contact:https://bitofayarn.com Mitch Lamb General Manager - Racing New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing mitch.lamb@nztr.co.nz Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz https://bitofayarn.com Quote
jess Posted April 11 Posted April 11 (edited) A showy spray of cash that will cost the industry a chunk of change - but make little difference to individuals. IMO - not a good use of money at a time when horses are racing for 17K stakes. And ironic too. That they seek to ease the burden which arises from an international political event which fiscally affects pretty much every part of New Zealanders' lives - yet no word of compensation for the much more considerable financial hit the owners of horses trained out of Awapuni have suffered. To me - it would make a lot more sense for NZTR to offer relief for that because - That fiscal impost has arisen from the ineptitude of the organisation (stakeholders have been badly let down) It affects a discrete group of individuals (owners) so relief can be more accurately & specifically targeted Has forced owners to pay thousands in float fees to race their horses away from their home track for years now Owners have continued to pay track fees to RACE - despite restricted access to train on turf Is not over yet - & may necessitate float fees to train on turf at all (eg @Foxton) once the track is "dug up" again The Awapuni situation is the gift that keeps on giving - the nightmare we can't seem to wake up from. But suck it up everyone - for another 18 months at least. NZTR doesn't care. J. Edited April 11 by jess typo 2 1 Quote
Stagman Posted April 12 Posted April 12 Hi after reading this topic I've had a look and Greyhound racing is still racing at the moment. if the TAB is involved in helping these two codes with money why isn't the greyhound industry involved?. 1 1 Quote
Huey Posted April 12 Posted April 12 On 11/04/2026 at 3:18 PM, jess said: A showy spray of cash that will cost the industry a chunk of change - but make little difference to individuals. IMO - not a good use of money at a time when horses are racing for 17K stakes. And ironic too. That they seek to ease the burden which arises from an international political event which fiscally affects pretty much every part of New Zealanders' lives - yet no word of compensation for the much more considerable financial hit the owners of horses trained out of Awapuni have suffered. To me - it would make a lot more sense for NZTR to offer relief for that because - That fiscal impost has arisen from the ineptitude of the organisation (stakeholders have been badly let down) It affects a discrete group of individuals (owners) so relief can be more accurately & specifically targeted Has forced owners to pay thousands in float fees to race their horses away from their home track for years now Owners have continued to pay track fees to RACE - despite restricted access to train on turf Is not over yet - & may necessitate float fees to train on turf at all (eg @Foxton) once the track is "dug up" again The Awapuni situation is the gift that keeps on giving - the nightmare we can't seem to wake up from. But suck it up everyone - for another 18 months at least. NZTR doesn't care. J. That just sounds like a normal course of events for many racing participants at many venues across the country Jess? Quote
hesi Posted April 12 Posted April 12 On 11/04/2026 at 3:18 PM, jess said: A showy spray of cash that will cost the industry a chunk of change - but make little difference to individuals. IMO - not a good use of money at a time when horses are racing for 17K stakes. And ironic too. That they seek to ease the burden which arises from an international political event which fiscally affects pretty much every part of New Zealanders' lives - yet no word of compensation for the much more considerable financial hit the owners of horses trained out of Awapuni have suffered. To me - it would make a lot more sense for NZTR to offer relief for that because - That fiscal impost has arisen from the ineptitude of the organisation (stakeholders have been badly let down) It affects a discrete group of individuals (owners) so relief can be more accurately & specifically targeted Has forced owners to pay thousands in float fees to race their horses away from their home track for years now Owners have continued to pay track fees to RACE - despite restricted access to train on turf Is not over yet - & may necessitate float fees to train on turf at all (eg @Foxton) once the track is "dug up" again The Awapuni situation is the gift that keeps on giving - the nightmare we can't seem to wake up from. But suck it up everyone - for another 18 months at least. NZTR doesn't care. J. You're cherry picking by failing to mention the huge increases in stake money across the country since Entain came on board. Sure Hawera are racing for $17K per race on Fri (down from 18.5K), but just down the road the following day Wanganui are racing for on average $32K per race 1 Quote
Chief Stipe Posted April 12 Author Posted April 12 6 minutes ago, hesi said: Sure Hawera are racing for $17K per race on Fri (down from 18.5K), but just down the road the following day Wanganui are racing for on average $32K per race Of course @jess doesn't mention that 3 years ago the equivalent meeting was $14k and 4 years ago $12k. Nor that 5 years ago it was $10k. A 70% increase in stakes in 5 years is a positive. Although I would suggest that trainers instead of complaining make hay while the sun shines because who knows where it will be in two years time. Quote
hesi Posted April 13 Posted April 13 19 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: Of course @jess doesn't mention that 3 years ago the equivalent meeting was $14k and 4 years ago $12k. Nor that 5 years ago it was $10k. A 70% increase in stakes in 5 years is a positive. Although I would suggest that trainers instead of complaining make hay while the sun shines because who knows where it will be in two years time. Herlihy has the same problem. He was trying to organise a strike based on the drop from 18.5 to 17 that is for 3 months Quote
Shab Posted April 13 Posted April 13 12 hours ago, Stagman said: Hi after reading this topic I've had a look and Greyhound racing is still racing at the moment. if the TAB is involved in helping these two codes with money why isn't the greyhound industry involved?. Keeping a low profile cos they're creaming it as it is at the moment with sky high stakes for tiny fields of slow dogs. Everyone having a turn at filling up the way dog racing is with the fav not winning every race. Quote
Huey Posted April 13 Posted April 13 23 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Of course @jess doesn't mention that 3 years ago the equivalent meeting was $14k and 4 years ago $12k. Nor that 5 years ago it was $10k. A 70% increase in stakes in 5 years is a positive. Although I would suggest that trainers instead of complaining make hay while the sun shines because who knows where it will be in two years time. In that 5 years costs have gone up astronomically also , so those 17k stakes are just the new version of 12k stakes. I doubt you'd know that as all yours are racing in G1 or slot races so makes no difference to you. I do agree to make hay while the sun shines though! Quote
Chief Stipe Posted April 13 Author Posted April 13 44 minutes ago, Huey said: In that 5 years costs have gone up astronomically also Fake news. The CPI increase was 19%. Hardly "astronomical"! 46 minutes ago, Huey said: I doubt you'd know that as all yours are racing in G1 or slot races so makes no difference to you. If you race slow horses it doesn't matter what the stakes are. I'd have thought you'd realise that by now. 1 Quote
hesi Posted April 13 Posted April 13 48 minutes ago, Huey said: In that 5 years costs have gone up astronomically also , so those 17k stakes are just the new version of 12k stakes. I doubt you'd know that as all yours are racing in G1 or slot races so makes no difference to you. I do agree to make hay while the sun shines though! It would appear from the diminishing foal crop, that is not a view shared by a significant percentage of the racing industry 1 1 Quote
hesi Posted April 14 Posted April 14 The reduction from 18.5 to 17K affects just over 30 industry meetings over Winter. Taking an average of 7 races per meeting, as the polytracks are well down on numbers, that is about 330K less in stakes available. I'm not sure why it has been done, but it seems a pretty small amount in the whole scheme of things 1 Quote
Huey Posted April 14 Posted April 14 10 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Fake news. The CPI increase was 19%. Hardly "astronomical"! The CPI .... lmao you have no idea ,but thank you for the funnies the morning paper never came this morning! If you race slow horses it doesn't matter what the stakes are. I'd have thought you'd realise that by now. Buy another Tangerine share chief! Quote
Murray Fish Posted April 14 Posted April 14 6 minutes ago, Huey said: Buy another share! Given a chance, be it via a syndicate or some other form of ownership? Who? where? why? Quote
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