Message From NZTR's CEO
There is plenty happening across our industry as we move further into spring, with important conversations about our future alongside opportunities to celebrate and showcase New Zealand racing.
We have released our 2027–29 Statement of Intent and Business Plan, setting out our strategic direction and priorities for the season. Industry feedback helped shape the final document, including stronger commitments to early engagement, ownership growth and transparency. Listening to your perspectives remains central to this work. Our stakeholder survey will return in October for its second year, giving you another opportunity to tell us what is working, where we can improve and what matters most to you. Your responses will help us understand how experiences and priorities are changing across the industry.
Our Project Stamina meetings are progressing well, and we are nearing completion of the initial engagement stage with impacted clubs. I appreciate the time, local knowledge and considered contributions clubs have brought to these discussions. This remains a consultation process, and club perspectives and written responses will inform the Board’s consideration of proposals and recommendations.
The first meetings of the TAB NZ Establishment Board have also been held, with NZTR interim chair Paul Humphries and director Dean Lawrence participating. The group brings the extensive industry experience and the strategic thinking needed to help shape a coordinated approach to racing’s future.
Late last month, Entain’s Managing Director – New Zealand, Chris Haigh, presented a data-led view of the Thoroughbred code and the opportunities ahead to the NZTR Board. The partnership is delivering strong results: annual distributions have grown by 14%, more than $300 million has come into racing as one-off capital, and prizemoney has increased by around 50%. New Zealand Thoroughbred racing also remains Entain’s highest-margin product.
Our discussion focused on how to build on that momentum through better infrastructure coordination, more reliable race meetings, larger fields and stronger connections with younger customers who already follow other sports. For participants, owners and customers, these are practical opportunities to improve the racing experience and strengthen its long-term returns.
I am also excited that Auckland will host the Asian Racing Conference in March 2028. This is an opportunity for all of us to showcase our horses, racing, breeding expertise and hospitality to the international racing community, while building relationships and learning from other jurisdictions.
The launch of Beyond the Track, featured below alongside our 1% Welfare Levy End of Year Report, reflects our commitment to whole-of-life care for Thoroughbreds. Beyond the Track brings practical guidance, support and opportunities together for horses and their owners after racing, while the report provides an update on how the industry’s welfare levy is being invested. Both reinforce a responsibility we share across the industry: to keep the horse at the centre of everything we do, with care and planning that extend well beyond its racing career.
Yesterday, 4 October, marked 100 years since Phar Lap’s birth at Seadown, near Timaru. The centenary celebrations at Phar Lap Raceway recognised a horse whose story still connects people with racing a century later. It is a wonderful reminder of the enduring place our horses and their stories hold in New Zealand’s communities.
Thank you for your continued contribution to our industry and for engaging in the discussions that will shape its future.
Yours in racing,
Matt Ballesty
Chief Executive Officer
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing
Welfare Levy invests $1.095 million in Thoroughbred care
The industry’s 1% Thoroughbred Welfare Levy invested $1.095 million during the 2025-26 season, supporting the care of New Zealand Thoroughbreds before, during and after racing.
NZTR’s 2025-2026 report covers the final quarter and full season, outlining investment in racing safety and research, retraining and rehoming, post-racing opportunities, direct welfare support, education and traceability.
Key outcomes included 252 horses successfully rehomed, 185 Leg Up Grants provided and specialist horse ambulance services supporting 306 race meetings. The levy also supported 34 equestrian events and six clinics, helping build opportunities for Thoroughbreds and their owners beyond racing.
The report looks ahead to delivery of NZTR’s 2026–2030 Thoroughbred Welfare Strategy, Together for the Thoroughbred. Priorities include stronger post-racing traceability, continued safety research and improved access to practical support through Beyond the Track, with an increasing focus on measuring outcomes for horses.
This investment reflects a shared commitment to whole-of-life care and keeping the horse at the centre of everything we do.
You can read the full report below:
2025-26 End of Year Welfare Report
Beyond the Track is live
NZTR has launched Beyond the Track, a new online hub connecting people with practical information, support and opportunities for Thoroughbreds after racing.
Designed for current and prospective owners, trainers, retrainers and the wider equestrian community, the website brings together guidance on retirement planning, transition and responsible rehoming, alongside welfare resources, Acknowledged Providers and supported equestrian events.
Current owners can also claim their off-the-track Thoroughbred, linking themselves with their horse and helping NZTR build a clearer picture of horses’ lives after racing.
To celebrate the launch, new members who join and claim their off-the-track Thoroughbred during October will go into the draw to win one of 10 care packages worth $500 each.
Explore Beyond the Track and share it with others who own or care for Thoroughbreds.
The season so far: racing update from Mitch
With the Group One action back, spring is always one of the best times of the racing season and so far the action has not disappointed!
The big question for New Zealand’s newly crowned Horse of the Year, Well Written, was could she take the next step and become a genuine WFA star….well she left no one in doubt of that when she raced away late with the first major of the season, the Proisir Plate, beating a field full of our best sprinter/milers.
Stephen Marsh took up the challenge in the Sydney over the weekend with her against some of Australia’s best milers in the Epsom, and even though she tasted her first defeat, she performed admirably, unfortunately suffering a case of the Thumps during the race. Indications are she will press on to the $10 million AUD Golden Eagle on October 31.
With Well Written in Sydney, a large portion of the Proisir Plate field lined up in the Group 1 Howden Insurance Mile at Hastings on September 26. With a cracking Hawke's Bay day on offer, and an ideal track surface, we witnessed a memorable edition of the time-honoured event, as one of our true warriors of the turf in Waitak staved off Tuxedo and She’s A Dealer in an epic finish. What a credit he is to Team Wexford and you could see post-race what it meant to all the connections involved in the now four-time Group One hero. We’ll see several of those out of the Howden on Saturday in the Livamol Classic and it looks to be another fantastic race, with the trifecta there set to clash again!
Outside of our Group One races, we are seeing a good 3YO crop shaping up, including two of the better ones in Hawea and Old Fashioned both winning in style at Hastings. Collectively, our best 3YO races are arguably our best wagering product - we saw significant YOY growth across a large subsection of black type 3YO races last season, with the six biggest jumps in turnover on group races coming from 3YO events. We saw it again here with turnover on The Foxes @ Novara Park Hawke's Bay Guineas up 45% YOY – that bodes well as we march on towards Cup Week at Riccarton Park with several key lead ups to the Barneswood Farm 54th New Zealand 1000 Guineas & the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 54th New Zealand 2000 Guineas across the next few weeks.
Jumps racing wraps up with standout performances
The 2026 Jumps season concluded with 61 races across seven venues and 139 individual horses competing. All 18 programmed Jumps racedays went ahead, with three meetings rescheduled due to weather and track considerations.
Kylan Wiles led the jockey standings with 10 wins and claimed the Knottingly Farms Jumps Jockey Bonus Series. Lemmy Douglas became the first rider in 20 years to complete the Grand National double, winning aboard Little Thief in the hurdles and Lord Spencer in the steeplechase.
NZTR will now review the season’s participation, field sizes, programming, wagering and other key metrics as part of the annual review process. Thank you to everyone who contributed to delivering the season.
Read the full 2026 jumps season wrap.
Club engagement nearing completion
NZTR is nearing completion of the initial engagement stage with clubs impacted by the Project Stamina recommendations. Meeting clubs at their venues has been valuable, providing an opportunity to hear directly about local priorities, concerns and perspectives.
Project Stamina remains in the consultation phase. Hearing club perspectives is an important part of assessing the recommendations, and clubs have been asked to provide written responses to inform the next stage.
Once this stage is complete, the NZTR Board will hold a workshop to review the proposals and recommendations alongside consultation feedback and make decisions on the way forward. NZTR will work closely with Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) throughout this process, ensuring alignment on the consideration of feedback and final decisions relating to dual-code venues.
No final decisions have been made on the proposed venue changes.
Regional Roundup, celebrating standout moments and stories from across the country since our last edition. From milestone achievements to breakthrough wins, these highlights reflect the depth of talent and the strength of our racing community nationwide. If you have a story or highlight to share, feel free to send it through to the editor for a future edition.
Northern
- Congratulations to Nick Johnson on his appointment as Chief Executive of Waikato Thoroughbred Racing.
- Congratulations to Craig Grylls, who brought up his 1,500th New Zealand win this weekend aboard Born To Be Royal for Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson in the COMAG 2000 at the Fairview Matamata Kaimai Stakes Raceday. It is a significant milestone reflecting years of skill, dedication and consistency, and an achievement Craig and everyone who has supported his career can be proud of.
Central
- Hannah Wilson has won the 2026 Race Images Amateur Rider Series, securing the title with victory aboard the Kevin Myers-trained So Call Me in the Duke of Gloucester Cup at Te Aroha. Four wins and three placings from eight rides earned Hannah 56 points, seven ahead of runner-up Monique Dey, with Scotty MacNab finishing third. The 12-race series attracted 26 riders between May and September, providing opportunities to build raceday experience and showcase their skills. Read more about Hannah’s win and the 2026 series.
Southern
- Inflamed was crowned South Island Horse of the Year at the Christchurch Casino 31st South Island Racing Awards, held at Riccarton Park on 11 September to celebrate the region’s 2025/26 season. Congratulations to all recipients. View all award winners.
Craig Baker to join NZTR racing team
Craig Baker will join NZTR as Head of Racing Development on 27 October, bringing more than 20 years’ industry experience, most recently as Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Executive General Manager, Racing and Operations, to the role.
Craig's appointment strengthens NZTR’s operational and strategic racing capability as we work with clubs and industry partners on key change initiatives. His arrival coincides with the planned conclusion of Charlotte Mills’ 12-month Racing Advisor contract. We thank Charlotte for her valuable contribution and support.
2027 - 29 Statement of Intent and Business Plan
NZTR’s 2027–29 Statement of Intent and Business Plan has been published, setting out our strategic direction for the next three years and priorities for the 2026/27 season.
The plan focuses on growing participation, ownership and customer engagement, maintaining strong welfare and integrity standards, and building a sustainable future for racing. It includes clear performance measures so stakeholders can assess our progress. Read the announcement and access the full plan or listen to an audio version.
Owners’ Service Centre Update
As outlined in previous updates, NZTR is developing a new online Owners’ Service Centre to make it simpler, faster and more secure for owners and racing managers to manage administration and complete key transactions. The initial scope is to shift the SR19 (Horse name registration), SR20 (Notice of Change of Ownership) and SR24 (Retirement of death of a thoroughbred) forms into the Owners’ Service Centre.
Development of the first phase of the Owners’ Service Centre is materially complete with a couple of minor improvements being developed and tested. A key milestone was achieved this week as we pushed through the first transactions within the system during an onboarding session with local industry participants. We have more sessions planned over the next ten days to familiarise our larger user groups with the system, and then we’ll open it up for general use.
As a reminder, owners will be able to initiate selected transactions through the portal, which can then be directed to their racing manager or another authorised representative to review and progress. Racing managers will also be able to manage transactions for the owners they represent, with relevant owners notified and able to confirm their interest and approve requests online. This will reduce the need for multiple paper forms and manual signatures while keeping owners informed and involved.
We have more scope planned for Phase 2 to help digitise your experience and simplify the way you transact with NZTR.
Apprentice jockeys celebrated across the regions
September’s regional Apprentice Awards recognised the achievements, dedication and development of riders across the Northern, Central and Southern regions.
Elen Nicholas received the Premier Apprentice Jockey in the Northern region, Amber Riddell was named Leading Apprentice in the Central Districts, and Donovan Cooper took the Top Apprentice Jockey honour in the Southern region.
Congratulations to all award recipients, and thank you to the trainers, employers, tutors, mentors, families and sponsors supporting the next generation of our riding ranks. Read more and see the full list of award winners.
Key Industry Dates and Deadlines
Upcoming dates, deadlines and reminders relevant to Clubs, trainers, license holders and industry participants
- 2026 NZTR McKenzie Future Leaders Scholarship close Friday 30 October
- National Thoroughbred Week, 20 – 30 November 2026
- 2026 Mare Return and Live Foal Notification must be completed by 28 February 2027
- Maiden Mares covered for the first time in 2026 must be registered as a broodmare, even if she does not get in foal, by 31 July 2027
