HRNZ hails new advisory committee as "pivotal moment"

Some of New Zealand racing’s biggest players and a very special expat have joined together to help steer the future of the industry.

New Zealand Bloodstock owner and internationally-renowned breeder and owner Sir Peter Vela will chair a new advisory committee to TAB NZ – the regulatory arm of the national betting agency – which works alongside Entain, the company charged with running the day-to-day operations of the TAB and its associate brand Betcha.

The committee was the idea of Racing Minister Winston Peters and TAB NZ chairman Bill Birnie, so it seems certain to have the minister’s ear, as it includes many of the most powerful people in the industry.

Vela is joined by Cambridge Stud owner Brendan Lindsay, Waikato Stud boss Mark Chittick, big-time investor and breeder Greg Tomlinson, Ken Breckon, who owns giant harness racing operation Breckon Farms, and in a huge coup, champion expat trainer Chris Waller.

Waller lives in Sydney but took time out from a hectic week of sales and racing in Queensland to fly to New Zealand for the advisory committee’s first meeting in Auckland on Wednesday night.

The committee is set to have at least one member added with both business expertise and detailed knowledge of the harness racing industry, to ensure the code is further represented.

Harness Racing New Zealand Chief Executive Brad Steele says “the formation of this advisory committee marks a pivotal moment for the New Zealand racing industry. To see such an esteemed group of leaders each with deep roots in racing and proven success in the business world come together for the betterment of our industry is incredibly encouraging."

"We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with this group, and we’re particularly pleased that there is a clear intention to ensure harness racing is meaningfully represented. The expertise, passion, and commitment shown by Sir Peter Vela, Ken Breckon , and their fellow committee members signal a strong desire to drive long-term growth and sustainability across all racing codes."

To see more of Michael Guerin's story on the new advisory committee click here