Annual Report
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2017-2018 Annual Report 2017-18 Annual Report 1 Harness Racing New Zealand Inc Harnessing excitement, service, integrity and ‘prosperity for our stakeholders and customers 2 2017-2018 Annual Report Contents Chairman’s Report 4 Chief Executive’s Report 8 Board Members 12 Board Sub-Committees 15 Governance Statement 16 Season Highlights 18 Season Statistics 24 Ownership 26 Life After Racing 28 Education & Training 30 Totalisator Clubs 34 Totalisator Licences 35 Organisation Structure 37 Financial Reports 38 3 Harness Racing New Zealand Inc Chairman’s Report There is much to celebrate about the 2017/2018 racing season with exciting racing up and down the country and some wonderful performances by our elite horses, not only here but in Australia and North America. The New Zealand Standardbred has focus. The intention of the review is in funding that ensures the future of set the benchmark in the Southern that it will produce a footprint that will Harness Racing and allows it to grow Hemisphere and our horses are highly change the Racing Industry and secure and prosper. its future. regarded in North America, after After talking with the Racing Minister, another successful season by ex pat The Messara Report was released just he sees this opportunity as the one Kiwi pacers. before this Annual Report was going to and only chance to change the Racing print. Industry for the better. We hope he can This past season stakes rose by over deliver! 10% and the addition of a $1,500 first My following comments are made prior win bonus also helped in providing to a detailed review of the report, due On the downside however, while more money directly back to owners. to insufficient time being available as we await this report, the Racefields a result of the print deadline for the Legislation remains on the Minister’s As I write this report the Industry is in Annual Report. desk. By not presenting this to limbo, as everyone in racing eagerly After meeting with John Messara we Parliament it has, and is costing the awaits the release of the Messara were given an assurance that Harness Racing Industry over one million Report. Racing had nothing to fear and would dollars a month in lost revenue. be better off once his report is adopted. Commissioned by the Racing Minister Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) The Right Honourable Winston Peters, We do however have concerns around enjoys a good working relationship with the review by Messara is promoted as Section 16 of The Racing Act, which the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB) bringing significant benefit to all of the sets out the Codes Distribution. We and I would like to acknowledge the codes, despite having a thoroughbred must make certain we are able to lock hard work that CEO John Allen and his 4 2017-2018 Annual Report team put into our Industry. I would also that the NZRB and the Codes have • No fees for under 30’s like to acknowledge our representative a clear understanding of not only • Subsidised gear on the NZRB, Rod Croon and the, Chair what the benefits and value might • Free apparel Glenda Hughes for their dedication and be, but also the risks involved in such • Business mentoring programme efforts over the past season. arrangements. • Future savings scheme HRNZ, along with the other codes is A second Project is the Future Venue working with the NZRB on a number Plan. I think everyone is aware that in a These are just some of the initiatives that are currently underway. of projects as we all look to secure and country with a population of 5 million enhance the future of the NZ TAB and people we have too many venues the NZ Racing Industry. and it is inevitable that we need some Ownership The NZRB has embarked on a consolidation. A consultation process strategic plan that is on track to deliver will begin later this year with the NZRB To promote ownership, and reward significant lifts in returns to the Industry and all of the Clubs. owners, the Board established a in the 2019/2020 season. working sub-committee. Project Desert Gold is looking into The group has members from up the future direction of the TAB and Our Youth and down the country, and has been evaluating options and opportunities. There is a very real focus by the HRNZ successful in organising a number There has been a lot of talk in the Board on our youth, the formation of of owners’ initiatives and providing Industry around “outsourcing” of the Youth Council is testament to this. pathways for first time owners. the TAB and the potential value and returns from this. The Steering It is important that HRNZ provide a HRNZ has secured the services of an Committee of Project Desert Gold is pathway for our young and support is innovative young Canadian Horseman looking at outsourcing models, so provided to this group as follows: Anthony MacDonald to speak to Team Teal Ambassadors: Sheree Tomlinson, Sam Ottley, Nicky Chilcott 5 Harness Racing New Zealand Inc industry participants in September this introduce the campaign into New South Wales and Harness Racing New year. Anthony will speak in Auckland, Zealand. Zealand. Christchurch and Invercargill about his The Team Teal Campaign was a huge We are also pleased that a trotting multiple ownership model, his training success and thanks must go to all our championship has been reinstated to and his innovative communication lady drivers who embraced the cause be run at the same venue parallel to the methods. and also to all those who contributed. pacing championship. We look forward With every win by a female driver being to this year’s event in Victoria and then Team Teal sponsored during the campaign, a total to Auckland in 2019. of $19,000 was raised for ovarian cancer The Team Teal initiative raises funds for research. Breeding the Women’s Cancer Foundation and specifically for research into ovarian The number of mares being bred is cancer. It is a great example of how Interdominion Trotting of real concern and we will continue harness racing participants answer the Event Council to work closely with the New Zealand rallying call to assist others. Standardbred Breeders Association to Brian Wastney and I are the New improve the current situation. Breeding The driving force behind Team Teal Zealand representatives on this incentive schemes may be looked is a very dear friend of mine Victorian council. We were thrilled that the into once additional funding becomes trotting stalwart Duncan McPherson, iconic Interdominion Championship available. who sadly lost his wife Lyn to ovarian will continue. This is due to the co- cancer. The Board had no hesitation operation of the three hosts Harness The Board has set a target date of in accepting Duncan’s proposal to Racing Victoria, Harness Racing New August 1st 2020 for the introduction Sheriff winning the NZ Derby 6 2017-2018 Annual Report of micro chipping to replace freeze property later this year. The HRNZ office but my favourite has to be Sheriff branding. We are currently monitoring is on the second floor of the building, providing trainer Nigel McGrath and the microchipping process and results with an established long term tenant driver Blair Orange with their first New in Australia with a view to using the on the ground floor who will provide Zealand Derby in an exhilarating race. same technology and systems. significant income. Race caller Mark McNamara aptly described it as “an epic Derby”. The HRNZ premises is also home to the NZ Sires Stakes and the The Governance Matt Anderson excelled in our Junior New Zealand Standardbred Breeders ranks, while Mark Purdon and Natalie The Board has been working on a new Association. As I write this report I am Rasmussen once again took out the Governance model and will present able to confirm, that New Zealand Trainers Premiership and continue to to the AGM in September options for Bloodstock will also now have an set a high standard. consideration. Whilst the current model office at HRNZ. The Industry welcomes However there was a change of guard is not broken, it is felt a more refined New Zealand Bloodstock into in the driving premiership where Blair Board and a different appointment Harness Racing. Having a world class Orange set a new record in defeating process would better suit the current bloodstock company in our Industry previous multiple winner Dexter Dunn. environment and provide efficiencies. has been positively received by our participants. Whilst we celebrate our stars we must Barry Dent and Murray Swain will retire also congratulate and acknowledge from the current Board and will be all our participants. Their passion and replaced in the new season by John Obituaries dedication can never be questioned Grainger (New Zealand Metropolitan and they thoroughly deserve every win Trotting Club) and Kevin McNaught Our thoughts go out to the families and that comes their way. (Southern Harness). I would like to friends of those harness participants thank both Barry and Murray for their who we lost during the season. In closing I would like to thank CEO contributions, and we will miss Barry’s It has been an especially sad time as Edward Rennell and his dedicated expertise and experience, especially Harness Racing mourned the loss of team at HRNZ. Each and every one is around governance and rules. three icons of our sport, Neil Pilcher, passionate about the Industry, and on Bob McArdle and Jack Carmichael. behalf of the Board I thank them for They were all names synonymous with their contribution.