Press Releases
The archive of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racings press releases
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing is conducting a full review of the jumping races at Ellerslie at Queen’s Birthday weekend. The review is being undertaken in conjunction with the Auckland Racing Club, the Racing Integrity Unit and New Zealand Jumps Inc. At a meeting on 21 February 2013 the Board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) cancelled Mr Paul Harris’s Class A trainer’s licence. Rule 303 (f) requires a Class A trainer to be ‘financially sound and of good character.’ At the time of the meeting Mr Harris was an un-discharged bankrupt. Mr Harris may re-apply for a trainer’s licence subject to his bankruptcy being discharged. 2012 World Thoroughbred Rankings Once again Frankel(GB) leads the rest of the world, following the release of the World Thoroughbred Rankings (WTR) by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) on 15 January. ASHLEE MUNDY New Zealand racing is deeply saddened at the passing of jockey, Miss Ashlee Marie Mundy, today. Dear Stakeholder, At the beginning of a new season of racing, it is my pleasure to provide a progress report on initiatives that NZTR has carried out, has in progress and is considering.August 2018
Thursday 30 August
April 2017
Thursday 20 April
Funding boost paints bright future for thoroughbred racing
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing is confident that the New Zealand Racing Board’s increased funding announcement will be very welcome news for the industry. Read more
February 2017
Friday 17 February
Greg Purcell, Chief Executive for the past six years of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, has given notice to the NZTR Board of his intention to step down by the end of the current racing season. Read more
Thursday 16 February
Minimum thoroughbred racing stakes to go to $10,000 Read more
November 2016
Friday 4 November
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) Chairman Dr Alan Jackson has pinpointed three key
factors which will determine the immediate health of the thoroughbred industry in New Zealand. Read more
August 2016
Thursday 11 August
The 2016 Horse of the Year voting figures have been released. click here to see the full release. Read more
Wednesday 10 August
Canterbury businessman Rodger Finlay has joined the board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. Read more
July 2016
Thursday 28 July
NZ Thoroughbred Racing has been notified of suspected cases of Strangles at a thoroughbred stable in Mid-Canterbury. See the full release for more. Read more
June 2016
Wednesday 8 June
Tuesday 7 June
Wellington solicitor James Dunne has been appointed as the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Company Secretary and General Counsel. Read more
May 2016
Tuesday 24 May
Greg McCarthy has resigned as a member of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Board.
McCarthy, who was among the original members when the Board was restructured in 2011, has now completed two terms as an NZTR Board member and has decided not to seek reappointment for a third term. Read more
February 2016
Wednesday 24 February
“The Rising Tide of Illegal Gambling”
Introduction by session chairman, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Chief executive Greg Purcell
Read more
December 2015
Tuesday 22 December
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has suspended handicapper Dennis Quirke for betting on New Zealand thoroughbred races. Read more
Friday 11 December
Studying form on the go is often the only option for punters over the Christmas period. Recognising this, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has completely revamped its mobile website Read more
November 2015
Friday 13 November
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has today announced a number of important changes to the Handicapping Policy. Read more
Monday 9 November
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has released its vision for the future. Read more
October 2015
Thursday 15 October
The Board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) announced today the appointment of Dr Alan Jackson as its Chairman from the conclusion of the AGM on 6 November 2015. Read more
Thursday 8 October
NZTR appointed Bell Gully to consider and report on the circumstances that led to the HBRI meeting on 19 September being abandoned Read more
September 2015
Friday 25 September
NZTR announces $1,000,000 Bonus Read more
Thursday 24 September
NZTR has commenced three separate policy reviews in a comprehensive evaluation of the abandonment of the Hawkes Bay (HBRI) race meeting on 19 September 2015. Read more
August 2015
Wednesday 12 August
Matthew Goodson announced on 11 June 2015 that he would not be seeking re-election for a further three-year term Read more
Thursday 6 August
NZTR today released findings relating to a request from the trainers of Turn Me Loose for a formal review of the horse's rating. Read more
July 2015
Friday 31 July
The remaining finalists for the 2014-15 Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards are listed in the attached release Read more
Tuesday 7 July
NZTR announced today finalists for all horses-in-training categories for the 2014-15 Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards Read more
June 2015
Thursday 11 June
NZTR Chairman, Matthew Goodson, announced today that he will not be seeking re-election for a further three-year term and will retire from the NZTR Board at the conclusion of the AGM on 6 November 2015. Read more
May 2015
Friday 15 May
NZTR has received an interim report on the Wingatui Track from Turf Tech. Read more
Friday 15 May
NZTR has appointed Mr Dennis Quirke to the position of Senior Handicapper and Race Planner. Read more
April 2015
Thursday 2 April
Noel Harris is set to take up a Riding Master and Mentoring role with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Read more
January 2015
Monday 26 January
Equine industries announced today an agreement has been signed with Government aimed at maximising the health protection and welfare of all horses in New Zealand. Read more
December 2014
Friday 19 December
Mr Molloy takes this opportunity to state publicly that he was totally wrong in relation to the allegations he made about Mr Purcell Read more
November 2014
Wednesday 12 November
The Members’ Council of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has appointed Rick Williams to the vacant seat Read more
October 2014
Friday 31 October
The NZTR Annual Report for 2013-2014 and the NZTR Business Plan 2014-2016 are now available on the NZ Racing website. Read more
September 2014
Wednesday 10 September
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) announced today changes to its Rule governing Jockeys betting (Rule 707 of the Rules of Racing) will come into force tomorrow, Thursday, 11 September 2014 on publication in the New Zealand Gazette. Read more
August 2014
Friday 29 August
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has moved to suspend jockey David Walker’s licence, effective from noon on Friday 29 August 2014, following charges being laid by the Racing Integrity Unit (RIU) for breaches to the Rules of Racing. Read more
Friday 29 August
The Racing Integrity Unit (RIU) has today charged Jockey David Walker with two breaches of the Rules of Racing following his ride on “Watch Your Man” in Race 3 at Awapuni on Saturday 16th August. Read more
April 2014
Wednesday 2 April
The Members’ Council of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has appointed Mrs Victoria Carter to the NZTR Board. She takes up the vacant seat left by Mr Des Friedrich in January 2014 upon his move to Australia. Read more
December 2013
Thursday 19 December
A New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing-appointed Independent Licensing Panel has relicensed Auckland trainer Leo Molloy for the 2013-14 racing season, subject to strict conditions. Read more
October 2013
Wednesday 2 October
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has approved a ban on the use of anabolic steroids for horses both in and out of competition. Read more
Wednesday 2 October
Sand blown on to the course forced the abandonment of the Whangarei Racing Club’s meeting at Ruakaka today. Read more
September 2013
Tuesday 17 September
The New Zealand Pattern Review Committee has recommended a number of significant changes to the Group and Listed race Pattern in its report released today. Read more
August 2013
Thursday 22 August
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) announced today increases in prizemoney from 1 January 2014. This follows extensive consultation with race clubs and key stakeholder groups on the 2013-14 NZTR Funding Policy. Read more
July 2013
Tuesday 30 July
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has expressed strong support for an initiative to undertake an independent feasibility study for a proposed new racecourse in Hastings under the leadership of the city’s Mayor, Lawrence Yule. Read more
Tuesday 23 July
The chairman of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), Matthew Goodson, has welcomed the appointment of Glenda Hughes to the Chair of the Board of the New Zealand Racing Board. Read more
Thursday 18 July
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) announced today finalists for all 2012-13 Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards. Read more
May 2013
Monday 13 May
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) recently appointed the Pattern Review Committee to carry out a review of the current pattern and performance of black type racing in New Zealand, with a particular emphasis on Group 1 and Group 2 races, at the request of the New Zealand Pattern Committee. The Pattern Review Committee comprises Mark Freeman, who will chair the review, Gary Chittick, John Wheeler (MNZM) and Neville McAlister Read more
April 2013
Friday 19 April
Following a public meeting held at Riccarton Park Racecourse today, the Board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) will consider at its 23 May meeting a proposal to resume racing at Rangiora Racecourse on 6 June 2014. Read more
February 2013
Friday 22 February
January 2013
Monday 28 January
The Board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has removed the $50 (excluding GST) nomination fee from all races below rating 75 from 1 March 2013. There will be no nomination or acceptance fees for horses that nominate, accept and start in all maiden, rating 65, non-black-type two-year-old, three-year-old, four-year-old, and special conditions races. Read more
Friday 18 January
December 2012
Monday 31 December
Mundy, 26, from Westport, fell in race seven at Kurow race course yesterday, 30 December 2012.
Mundy's mount, Elleaye, clipped a heel of the horse in front and fell approaching the 600-metre mark. She was taken by helicopter to hospital in Dunedin in a critical condition.
Dave Taylor, President of the New Zealand Jockeys’ Association, expressed his heartfelt sorrow on behalf of all jockeys. November 2012
Monday 19 November
The NZTR Annual Report for 2011-2012 and the NZTR Business Plan 2013-2015 are now available on the NZ Racing website. Read more
September 2012
Wednesday 12 September
Mufhasa, at the grand age of eight and winner of over $3 million , was crowned Horse of the Year at New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s 2012 Horse of the Year Awards, held in Hamilton last night. Read more
Tuesday 4 September
On 14 August 2012 the NZTR Integrity Committee suspended Mr Paul Harris’s trainer’s licence and provided him with 21 days to provide reasons why his licence should not be cancelled or withdrawn, following the decision by the High Court of Christchurch to make Mr Harris bankrupt. Read more
August 2012
Friday 31 August
Wednesday 29 August
The NZTR Board has adopted guidelines for racehorse welfare from the International Group of Specialist Racing Veterinarians’ (IGSRV). These Horse Welfare Guidelines are published as an NZTR policy to provide a measure of welfare standards deemed acceptable by NZTR. Read more
Tuesday 28 August
The New Zealand Pattern Committee (NZPC) has undertaken its annual review of the Group and Listed races run in New Zealand in the 2011-12 season. Read more
Friday 24 August
The NZ Equine Health Association (NZEHA) has appointed Dr Patricia Pearce to the position of Executive Advisor on behalf the equine community and industries for the purposes of maximising the health protection and welfare of all horses in New Zealand. Read more
Thursday 23 August
Racing and trials are set to continue at Paeroa under the direct management of the Waikato Racing Club. Read more
Wednesday 15 August
The NZTR Integrity Committee met in Wellington yesterday, 14 August 2012, and considered advice from Mr Paul Harris provided under Rule 322(2) of the New Zealand Rules of Racing, relating to a decision last Tuesday, 7 August 2012, in the High Court of Christchurch to make Mr Harris bankrupt. Read more
Tuesday 14 August
“NZTR supports the Racing Integrity Unit’s drug testing policy as a way to maintain the integrity of drug free racing in New Zealand”, NZTR Chief Executive Greg Purcell stated today. Read more
Friday 10 August
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has announced finalists for all 2011-12 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Horse of the Year Awards. The winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner at the Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton, on Wednesday, 12 September 2012. Read more
June 2012
Tuesday 26 June
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s 2012 Horse of the Year Awards will be held at the Claudelands Events Centre in Hamilton starting at 6.00pm on Wednesday 12 September 2012. Read more
Monday 25 June
The Chairman of the Members’ Council of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), Peter Francis, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Nettleton, a Barrister and Solicitor, to the Board of NZTR. Read more
April 2012
Tuesday 17 April
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), in conjunction with the social media company Socialize, are producing a three-episode pilot TV programme series that will take you inside New Zealand’s thoroughbred racing industry. Read more
Friday 13 April
It is with regret that the NZTR Members Council today announce the resignation of Mr Con Anastasiou
from the NZTR Board. Read more
March 2012
Thursday 29 March
The Avondale track was inspected on Monday and again today after a number of horses had galloped on the course proper after extensive drainage and maintenance work was completed earlier this year. Read more
Wednesday 28 March
The Wairarapa Racing Club’s meeting on Monday, 27 March 2012, which replaced the Foxton meeting, produced aggregate New Zealand TAB sales of $494,571 and Australian totalisator sales of NZ$588,877. Average field sizes were 8.3 after 15 scratchings. Read more
Tuesday 20 March
Rotorua’s eight-race programme on Monday, 19 March, with a minimum $7,000 stake, produced an average field size of 6.4 after 23 scratchings, including 8 late scratchings. The track was downgraded throughout the day from a dead four to a heavy ten. Read more
Monday 12 March
The Egmont Racing Club meeting today, 12 March 2012, provided further encouragement to a regular schedule of Monday and Tuesday thoroughbred race meetings. Read more
Monday 5 March
The Paeroa Racing Club meeting today, 5 March 2012, provided an encouraging start to a regular weekly schedule of Monday and Tuesday thoroughbred race meetings. Read more
February 2012
Tuesday 28 February
This NZTR Business Plan, which has been written by the Executive of NZTR with the active involvement of the Board of NZTR, has been approved by the New Zealand Racing Board in accordance with Clause 23 of the Racing Act 2003. Read more
Tuesday 7 February
Following a Government review of industry training systems in 2011, the New Zealand Equine ITO (NZEqITO) has merged with the Agriculture ITO (AgITO). Read more
January 2012
Saturday 21 January
Experienced Racing administrator Des Friedrich has been appointed to the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Board. Read more
December 2011
Friday 23 December
NZTR is pleased to announce the appointment of Campbell Moncur to the NZTR Management team on a 12 month fixed term contract to implement and manage key aspects of the NZTR Business Plan. Read more
Wednesday 21 December
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has confirmed a $10 increase in jockey riding fees to $125.00 (GST exclusive) which includes a $5 per ride contribution towards riders’ ACC costs for three years commencing 1 January 2012. Read more
Friday 9 December
Bigger fields with more mares and fillies are part of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s proposed plan to raise revenue flows and revitalise the gallops industry. Read more
Wednesday 7 December
The Board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has announced the re-appointment of Mr Matthew Goodson as its Chairman. Mr Joe Walls was appointed Deputy Chairman. Read more