Doomed Posted March 3, 2023 Share Posted March 3, 2023 I have been thinking, are we past the era now where clubs look for sponsors for races? Is it just too hard to get sponsors, do club's no longer employ anyone to do the job, are sponsors no longer interested? I notice the Derby today doesn't have a sponsor and the Avondale Cup and Guineas a couple of weeks ago didn't have sponsors. I can understand it in NZ as racing no longer has any commercial appeal or value, but even in Australia today the Australian Guineas doesn't have a sponsor. I suspect in Australia the stakes are just getting so high that to ask a sponsor for say 10% of the stake for naming rights is beyond the means of many. And the old model used to be that the sponsor of a really big race would spend about double the sponsorship amount entertaining guests on the day, which is not viable for many. Also Australia has so many new feature races all the time and there just aren't enough sponsorships to go around. I do find it a bit sad, I am sure many of us can remember some of the great sponsorships from years past, The Bayer Classic, usually rated the king of them all, but also the Air NZ Stakes, the Nescafe Northern, the Lion Brown Sprint, the George Adams, the Benson and Hedges. Several of those races were only known by the sponsors name and usually didn't have any other name. I struggle to think of too many races today that are only known by the sponsors name, the White Robe Lodge and Couplands mile certainly two of the obvious ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 22 hours ago, Doomed said: I have been thinking, are we past the era now where clubs look for sponsors for races? Is it just too hard to get sponsors, do club's no longer employ anyone to do the job, are sponsors no longer interested? With the stakes bulk funded, it is probably less necessary to try and get sponsorship. And personally, I find offensive the concept of a time-honoured race name being changed to the Port-a-Loo Handicap, or similar. I've seen trainers sponsor races recently, but obviously, not 'prestige' races. Would be outside the means of most. But, a nice idea on an industry day all the same. I notice the Derby today doesn't have a sponsor and the Avondale Cup and Guineas a couple of weeks ago didn't have sponsors. I can understand it in NZ as racing no longer has any commercial appeal or value, but even in Australia today the Australian Guineas doesn't have a sponsor I suspect in Australia the stakes are just getting so high that to ask a sponsor for say 10% of the stake for naming rights is beyond the means of many. And the old model used to be that the sponsor of a really big race would spend about double the sponsorship amount entertaining guests on the day, which is not viable for many. I thought the club used to do the entertaining, I'm probably misinformed there. Reefton, as a Club Pres., would be the right one to ask. Also Australia has so many new feature races all the time and there just aren't enough sponsorships to go around. I do find it a bit sad, I am sure many of us can remember some of the great sponsorships from years past, The Bayer Classic, usually rated the king of them all, but also the Air NZ Stakes, the Nescafe Northern, the Lion Brown Sprint, the George Adams, the Benson and Hedges. Several of those races were only known by the sponsors name and usually didn't have any other name. I struggle to think of too many races today that are only known by the sponsors name, the White Robe Lodge and Couplands mile certainly two of the obvious ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 I had to go and have a look at the race names at Te Rapa after all that....! and it seems that all had sponsorship to some degree. The individual arrangements we wouldn't be privy to of course...but even the Derby was prefixed with ATR..so it would be safe to assume that Auckland Thoroughbred Racing carried some responsibility for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 NZTR now expect clubs to provide monetary sponsorship of races. One would have thought off loading that onto local businesses and the like would lessen the load. Some clubs cover the sponsorship aspect very well and encourage oncourse patronage as part of the deal. Not all of those clubs employ staff specifically for this task. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Centaur Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 On 5/03/2023 at 10:25 AM, Special Agent said: NZTR now expect clubs to provide monetary sponsorship of races. One would have thought off loading that onto local businesses and the like would lessen the load. Some clubs cover the sponsorship aspect very well and encourage oncourse patronage as part of the deal. Not all of those clubs employ staff specifically for this task. NZTR policy seems to make clubs just ground caretakers of racetracks and have nothing to do with running racing. Currently changes to legislation will make it impossible for clubs to offer separate gambling options. Thats another disincentive for sponsors. Racing can boom but not in the current environment of legislation, ridiculous salaries and illogical business structure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Centaur Posted March 13, 2023 Share Posted March 13, 2023 On 4/03/2023 at 11:17 AM, Doomed said: I have been thinking, are we past the era now where clubs look for sponsors for races? Is it just too hard to get sponsors, do club's no longer employ anyone to do the job, are sponsors no longer interested? I notice the Derby today doesn't have a sponsor and the Avondale Cup and Guineas a couple of weeks ago didn't have sponsors. I can understand it in NZ as racing no longer has any commercial appeal or value, but even in Australia today the Australian Guineas doesn't have a sponsor. I suspect in Australia the stakes are just getting so high that to ask a sponsor for say 10% of the stake for naming rights is beyond the means of many. And the old model used to be that the sponsor of a really big race would spend about double the sponsorship amount entertaining guests on the day, which is not viable for many. Also Australia has so many new feature races all the time and there just aren't enough sponsorships to go around. I do find it a bit sad, I am sure many of us can remember some of the great sponsorships from years past, The Bayer Classic, usually rated the king of them all, but also the Air NZ Stakes, the Nescafe Northern, the Lion Brown Sprint, the George Adams, the Benson and Hedges. Several of those races were only known by the sponsors name and usually didn't have any other name. I struggle to think of too many races today that are only known by the sponsors name, the White Robe Lodge and Couplands mile certainly two of the obvious ones. This is a serious subject. Just who is responsible for attracting sponsors? I note the Auckland Racing Club no longer have a sponsorship manager. The best way to get sponsors must be a joint effort so that the final person dealing with the sponsor has all the information, material and links to racing promotion outlets. My proposal is that before Auckland employ a sponsorship manager NZTR set up a NATIONAL SPONSORSHIP OFFICE based at Ellerslie racecourse. THis would have access to all the material, digital forms etc. allowing paid or non paid club reps to go out in confidence. Sponsors need far more exposure than they are currently getting. It needs a coordinated effort not just an Auckland effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted March 13, 2023 Share Posted March 13, 2023 2 hours ago, The Centaur said: This is a serious subject. Just who is responsible for attracting sponsors? I note the Auckland Racing Club no longer have a sponsorship manager. The best way to get sponsors must be a joint effort so that the final person dealing with the sponsor has all the information, material and links to racing promotion outlets. My proposal is that before Auckland employ a sponsorship manager NZTR set up a NATIONAL SPONSORSHIP OFFICE based at Ellerslie racecourse. THis would have access to all the material, digital forms etc. allowing paid or non paid club reps to go out in confidence. Sponsors need far more exposure than they are currently getting. It needs a coordinated effort not just an Auckland effort. My suggestion and history backs it up , would be to keep NZTR as far away from anything to do with the clubs as possible! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Centaur Posted March 13, 2023 Share Posted March 13, 2023 2 hours ago, Huey said: My suggestion and history backs it up , would be to keep NZTR as far away from anything to do with the clubs as possible! As far as history goes the NZ Racing Conference was set up by the clubs. Over the years different forms of governance e.g. District Committees, Metropolitan representation etc occurred. However it allowed individuals to bring up matters at club meetings and these would be sent along with delegates to the Racing Conference AGM. At least a semblance of democracy. What you are saying now therefore is that NZTR is a completely different organisation to the old Racing Conference. Perhaps now is a time to look at all options e.g. a TAB/NZTR merger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted March 13, 2023 Share Posted March 13, 2023 10 hours ago, The Centaur said: As far as history goes the NZ Racing Conference was set up by the clubs. Over the years different forms of governance e.g. District Committees, Metropolitan representation etc occurred. However it allowed individuals to bring up matters at club meetings and these would be sent along with delegates to the Racing Conference AGM. At least a semblance of democracy. What you are saying now therefore is that NZTR is a completely different organisation to the old Racing Conference. Perhaps now is a time to look at all options e.g. a TAB/NZTR merger. I don't need to say a thing , take a look around . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Centaur Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 8 hours ago, Huey said: I don't need to say a thing , take a look around . Well this is a look at NZTR. Its difficult to accept that each job requires a 40 hour week. NZTR Board of Directors Cameron George (Chairman) Mike Clarke Jason Fleming Andrew Fairgray Bruce Sherwin Andrew Flexman Dean Lawrence _________________________________ Bruce Sharrock - Chief Executive Officer Darin Balcombe - Chief Operating Officer Amy Carter - Internal Operations Manager Mark Freeman - Special Projects Dan Smith - Head of Marketing, Communications & Wagering Partnerships Tim Aldridge - Head of Racing Operations Tharsha Adamstein - Head of People & Culture & Infrastructure Tracy Tutty - Head of Finance Tony Severinsen - Head of Funding and Analytics Tim Lambert - Head of Tracks and Infrastructure & Sustainability Amy Johnson - Head of Education, Training and Recruitment Matthew Williamson - Head of Licensing and Stakeholder Relationships & Infrastructure Julie Walker - Head of Registrations and Keeper of the Studbook Pete Siolo - Head of IT Jess Meech - Advisor Allan Pollitt - National Racing Bureau Team Leader Alicia Bowie - National Racing Assistant Chance Hausman - National Racing Assistant Jo Bull - National Racing Assistant Billy McGown - National Racing Assistant Julie Walker - Head of Registrations and Keeper of the Studbook Kirstie Lang - Stud Book / Imports & Exports Vaine Strickland - Registrations Donna Cameron Horse - Traceability Liaison Amelia Brown - Registrations/Licensing Amy Johnson - Head of Education, Training and Recruitment David Walsh - Riding Master Training, Safety and Welfare Advisor - Southern Noel Harris Riding Master - Central & Northern Kim Clapperton - Riding Master - Central Jonathan Riddell - Jumps Jockey Mentor Kelly Myers - Apprentice School Tutor Matthew Williamson - Head of Licensing and Stakeholder Engagement Abby Robinson - Licensing / Health & Safety Officer Alice Riggins - Thoroughbred Welfare Colin Hall - Racing Compliance Manager Robert Logan - Racing Business Associate Mitchell Davis - Racing Business Associate Neil Jennings - Senior Handicapper Tyler Tane - Handicapper Paul Claridge - National Jumps Coordinator Tracy Tutty - Head of Finance Tyler McRobie - Finance Team Manager Christine Young - Accounts Administrator - Racing Accounts Zalak Patel - Accounts Administrator - Racing Accounts Janine Simonson - Accounts Administrator - Racing Accounts Sameer Vayalam - Systems Accountant Tony Severinsen - Funding and Analytics Ollie Goodall - Business Intelligence Analyst Tharsha Adamstein - Head of People & Culture Pete Siolo - Technology Chris Fischer - IT Manager (Consultant) Marketing, Communications and Wagering Partnerships Dan Smith - Head of Marketing, Communications and Wagering Partnerships Leanne Meredith - Marketing and Ownership Lead Caitlin O'Sullivan - Digital Marketing Specialist Emma Thompson - Communications and Public Relations Lead Chris Fischer - SNS Project Manager Sam Fursdon - SNS Product Owner Harrison Bramwell - SNS Business Analyst Dhatri Motupalli - SNS Test Analyst Pavani Gorrepati - SNS Test Analyst 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 That is a lot of people. With less horses bred and less participants it appears unbalanced to even a simple mind. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 My simple mind boggles at the categories listed - most of which I would have no idea what they involve. I would respectfully suggest that 60 per cent of the personnel could be dispensed with. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 Just now, Freda said: My simple mind boggles at the categories listed - most of which I would have no idea what they involve. I would respectfully suggest that 60 per cent of the personnel could be dispensed with. One no longer there, Marty Burns, was always my 'go to' irrespective of the query, as getting the phone answered is an art in itself. Marty would , quickly and efficiently, either deal with the problem himself or expedite the contact. And I have to concede that Sharrock is courteous and professional enough to at least acknowledge and respond to any communication. A big improvement on his predecessors. That, of course, does not imply that the organization he manages is any better than it was. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 15 hours ago, The Centaur said: Well this is a look at NZTR. Its difficult to accept that each job requires a 40 hour week. NZTR Board of Directors Cameron George (Chairman) Mike Clarke Jason Fleming Andrew Fairgray Bruce Sherwin Andrew Flexman Dean Lawrence _________________________________ Bruce Sharrock - Chief Executive Officer Darin Balcombe - Chief Operating Officer Amy Carter - Internal Operations Manager Mark Freeman - Special Projects Dan Smith - Head of Marketing, Communications & Wagering Partnerships Tim Aldridge - Head of Racing Operations Tharsha Adamstein - Head of People & Culture & Infrastructure Tracy Tutty - Head of Finance Tony Severinsen - Head of Funding and Analytics Tim Lambert - Head of Tracks and Infrastructure & Sustainability Amy Johnson - Head of Education, Training and Recruitment Matthew Williamson - Head of Licensing and Stakeholder Relationships & Infrastructure Julie Walker - Head of Registrations and Keeper of the Studbook Pete Siolo - Head of IT Jess Meech - Advisor Allan Pollitt - National Racing Bureau Team Leader Alicia Bowie - National Racing Assistant Chance Hausman - National Racing Assistant Jo Bull - National Racing Assistant Billy McGown - National Racing Assistant Julie Walker - Head of Registrations and Keeper of the Studbook Kirstie Lang - Stud Book / Imports & Exports Vaine Strickland - Registrations Donna Cameron Horse - Traceability Liaison Amelia Brown - Registrations/Licensing Amy Johnson - Head of Education, Training and Recruitment David Walsh - Riding Master Training, Safety and Welfare Advisor - Southern Noel Harris Riding Master - Central & Northern Kim Clapperton - Riding Master - Central Jonathan Riddell - Jumps Jockey Mentor Kelly Myers - Apprentice School Tutor Matthew Williamson - Head of Licensing and Stakeholder Engagement Abby Robinson - Licensing / Health & Safety Officer Alice Riggins - Thoroughbred Welfare Colin Hall - Racing Compliance Manager Robert Logan - Racing Business Associate Mitchell Davis - Racing Business Associate Neil Jennings - Senior Handicapper Tyler Tane - Handicapper Paul Claridge - National Jumps Coordinator Tracy Tutty - Head of Finance Tyler McRobie - Finance Team Manager Christine Young - Accounts Administrator - Racing Accounts Zalak Patel - Accounts Administrator - Racing Accounts Janine Simonson - Accounts Administrator - Racing Accounts Sameer Vayalam - Systems Accountant Tony Severinsen - Funding and Analytics Ollie Goodall - Business Intelligence Analyst Tharsha Adamstein - Head of People & Culture Pete Siolo - Technology Chris Fischer - IT Manager (Consultant) Marketing, Communications and Wagering Partnerships Dan Smith - Head of Marketing, Communications and Wagering Partnerships Leanne Meredith - Marketing and Ownership Lead Caitlin O'Sullivan - Digital Marketing Specialist Emma Thompson - Communications and Public Relations Lead Chris Fischer - SNS Project Manager Sam Fursdon - SNS Product Owner Harrison Bramwell - SNS Business Analyst Dhatri Motupalli - SNS Test Analyst Pavani Gorrepati - SNS Test Analyst It defies belief, particularly the Top 2 which is just incredible for an industry in such a decline. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 Tharsha Adamstein - Head of People & Culture & Infrastructure What an earth does this role entail? Is Tharsha in charge of all people in the racing industry, or just those in the NZTR office? What culture? As New Zealand's racing community is a multi-racial place is Tharsha adept in origami, can she efficiently handle a taiaha, does she know the words of the Indian National Anthem, and because the latest census will show the increase in nationalities here is she proficient in Mandarin? What absolute nonsense!! Infrastructure of what exactly? If Tharsha has a handle on all of the aspects listed in her title she is well and truly wasted at NZTR. She should be working out of the Beehive. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honestjohn Posted March 15, 2023 Share Posted March 15, 2023 My perspective as a sponsor of races. I used to sponsor races at kaikoura once a year obviously. Cost from memory 600 $ for the name in the book etc. I didn't for years until one year the name in the book was my company/ bills burger bar. So I had to share with another sponsor. So that's when I thought they were getting greedy. I stopped. It was good while it lasted having a drink with Barry and Heather Ford in the president room. I used to sponsor a race at rangiora but one year they never even rang me. OK, their loss. I don't know how they do it now. Maybe too busy with HR.? Hj 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted March 16, 2023 Share Posted March 16, 2023 As you have pointed out it is not always about the sometimes small amount of sponsorship money. It is how you are treated, being made feel a little bit special and included, and the word of mouth advertising you are going to provide on behalf of that club and the whole racing industry. That brings us to "culture" which has been created by you and people like you. Move over Tharsha, Honestjohn already has credentials I'm guessing will outstrip any you have on paper. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assange Posted March 16, 2023 Share Posted March 16, 2023 On 3/15/2023 at 7:07 AM, Huey said: It defies belief, particularly the Top 2 which is just incredible for an industry in such a decline. I see a couple of former stipes in that list. The pay must be better at NZTR. Some of the titles are ridiculous. What do these people actually do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted March 16, 2023 Share Posted March 16, 2023 It seems a new broom sweeps clean as the list of employees includes a heap of new names from a year ago. Was Marty Burns superfluous to needs or was his role disestablished? Either option means pretty much the same thing but, I wonder what the thinking was behind him no longer being there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted March 17, 2023 Share Posted March 17, 2023 Maybe he didn't want to move to Hamilton. Or maybe it was a convenient excuse... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted March 17, 2023 Share Posted March 17, 2023 Robert Logan - Racing Business Associate Mitchell Davis - Racing Business Associate New roles , isn't one of them doing form analysis? Just what we need more of. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted March 17, 2023 Share Posted March 17, 2023 Does form analysis fit into what NZTR should be doing? I thought NZTR was the national horse racing administration, not a betting agency. The articles and videos seem odd to me too for an organisation which should primarily be for licence holder information. I believe these guys are sons of Donna Logan and Steve Davis respectively. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted March 17, 2023 Share Posted March 17, 2023 Don't worry someone did a copy paste job on this : https://loveracing.nz/News/39456/NZTRImplementsRevisedCodeofConduct.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted March 17, 2023 Share Posted March 17, 2023 More than 30% of RIB investigations relate to licence holder behaviour .... I'm not sure how to react to this. If you think about what RIB investigates, how much is investigated outside of what licence holders say and do? I can only think of ownership discrepancies and patrons oncourse on a race day but, I may need enlightening. NZTR and the RIB have the power to not relicence. If the Code of Conduct regulations is going to aid in non relicensing I wonder what numbers will look like moving forward. Racing is fast paced and sometimes volatile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Centaur Posted March 18, 2023 Share Posted March 18, 2023 14 hours ago, Special Agent said: Does form analysis fit into what NZTR should be doing? I thought NZTR was the national horse racing administration, not a betting agency. The articles and videos seem odd to me too for an organisation which should primarily be for licence holder information. I believe these guys are sons of Donna Logan and Steve Davis respectively. I don't think NZTR have any idea what they should be doing. There needs to be a separate media organisation combining racing, harness, dogs & sport taking away Trackside from TAB. NZTR needs to concentrate on the admin and business side of racing. Having form analysts just plain stupid. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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