Always back the horse named self-interest, son. It'll be the only one trying
Let me preface what is about to come by saying that I am an Australian born Kiwi citizen and passport holder, and am very proud of it too. I love New Zealand. But as a nation we choke. That was made obvious in the 2007 rugby World Cup quarter final when the All Blacks kept […]
New Zealand’s pre-eminent racing writer Mick Guerin has suggested in a recent article in the NZ Herald that the current review body for the racing industry – dubbed Project Stamina – will be recommending the shut down of racing at Alexandra Park. To further complicate matters, the funding stoush comes as racing bosses await the […]
In most racing jurisdictions in the world highly paid leadership roles carrying six-figure salaries are widely advertised and attract highly competitive merit based selections. But not in New Zealand it seems. Over in the Shakey Isles it appears that it’s not what you know, but rather who you know. Recently departed Harness Racing NZ CEO […]
DR LUK SUN CHIN, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit By Michael Guerin One of horse racing’s most enduring and loved characters says he “is a bit embarrassed” about being honoured in today’s King’s Birthday Honours. “It is a lovely honour but I have so many other people’s help in all facets of […]
Harness Racing New Zealand has enjoyed a huge windfall in recent years from the injection of capital (cash) that Entain injected into the Kiwi racing codes to secure the monopoly rights to operate the TAB, including a five-year funding guarantee and a share of the $100 million that the global gambling giant paid to secure […]
Recently departed HRNZ CEO Brad Steele has been appointed as CEO of the embattled, debt laden Auckland Trotting Club. Apparently all but two of the board voted for the appointment, the dissenters being Chairman and current acting CEO Jamie Mackinnon and his daughter, who is also a director of the club. It’s hardly a vote […]
Story by Michael Morrah, NZ Herald A charter plane is being “covertly” arranged to send 70 greyhounds to Australia to continue breeding and racing as the deadline for shutting the New Zealand industry looms. Information about the flight was sent by Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) to trainers and owners on a private Facebook group […]
Harness Racing New Zealand has just announced the erasure of 15 of the 1o2 race meetings in the North Island from the annual calendar. Auckland has lost 5 of its 46 meetings or more than 10 percent, leaving it as major metropolitan track that only races 41 times a year. Or in other words a […]
Prominent harness racing trainer Nigel McGrath granted ‘partial return’ to industry after cheating ban Story by Sam Sherwood, Radio New Zealand; 16 June 2025 At the last Harness Racing New Zealand AGM a rule change was passed allowing any banned party to apply for an exemption if they have served at least half of their […]
The two men you see in the picture are the at the time CEO of Harness Racing New Zealand Brad Steele (BS) on the left in the bomber jacket, and Nigel McGrath, the disqualified serial drug cheat that the HRNZ board under Steele’s leadership changed the rules to allow to participate in the sport despite […]
