NZTR to Develop Sustainable Industry Blueprint

Media Release - Friday November 27

The Board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has announced a number of key decisions and initiatives that were recently agreed upon at its 25 November Board meeting.

“I’m excited by the options we have in front of us to create a vibrant future and implement actions to energise, excite and set up a sustainable future, in line with our own way of thinking and considerations from the Messara Report,” NZTR Chairman Cameron George said.

“Our priority was to ensure we continued with Bernard Saundry as CEO until July 31 2022.

“This enables the Board to build on existing relationships for the greater benefit of the industry in the short to mid-term, while a number of other actions are being managed into place for the longer term.

“To have stability in the CEO role for a further 12 months beyond this racing season is sensible, and crucial for our industry in reaching its long-term potential.”

In addition to Saundry’s extension, the Board resolved to undertake an organisational review of NZTR. This will include but is not limited to structure, capability, resource, culture, and location.

Advertisement

A focus of the review will be identifying the best succession plan to replace the CEO at the conclusion of the 21/22 season. These elements will be reviewed in the near future, with the appropriate actions to be implemented in a timely manner. The key consideration principle for all matters will be a “horse and industry first” stance, in line with cost and output efficiency and quality.

The NZTR Board collectively believes that it’s time all parts of the business are put to the test of what is best for the industry and its future.

The review action will happen quickly in order for NZTR to plan a rollout phase for any potential change for better industry outcomes. This review will run parallel with a number of other matters that are currently being consulted and/or developed within NZTR and the industry:

 

1.         Future racing calendar

2.         Club hubs and Venue Planning

3.         Future use of the Whip

4.         Funding for 2021/22 season

5.         TAB NZ Board selection process

6.         Improving Training and Education outcomes by way of a Training, Development and Welfare Programme

7.         Assist in transitioning to the Racing Integrity Board

8.         IT systems integration and upgrade with Racing Australia and Technology One

 

“I would like to encourage everyone to get involved in creating an exciting future as history shows us that when we act as one, with a “horse and industry first” mindset we can be enablers and achieve great things - we own it with you,” George said.  

NZTR Board, Management and staff are committed to building and maintaining excellent relationships with all sectors of the industry, so that all participants can seamlessly navigate through an exciting change period to implement a healthy and sustainable future for New Zealand racing.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Monday November 4
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.