Month: July 2020

Weight, it’s the bane of many jockeys’ existence, and late last year it became a bit too much for talented apprentice Hazel Schofer. The New Plymouth rider had been battling weight issues for some time and elected to take a break from racing. “My weight just got a bit out of control,” she said. Originally planning to return to raceday riding in May, those plans were shelved as a result of COVID-19, but Schofer said she was pleased to be back in the saddle at Te Rapa on Saturday. She…

A name change 11 years ago has caused a massive headache for the Taranaki racing community. Taranaki Thoroughbred Racing Incorporated (TRI), who operate New Plymouth Raceway, changed its name when the Opunake Racing Club joined the Taranaki Racing Club more than a decade ago, and now the club is in a fight for its life. The New Plymouth District Council deemed the name change caused a historical lease agreement between the two parties to become invalid. “We were governed initially by the 1959 Racecourse and Reserve Act,” Taranaki Thoroughbred Racing…

Members of the public are allowed to return to Sha Tin on Sunday, with restrictions in place. The Hong Kong Jockey Club have announced people will be able to attend the meeting, as long as they book a reservation at the restaurant in advance. After consultation with the government, the Jockey Club estimate around 500-700 members of the public will be able to join owners, club officials, members and their guests. All will have to complete health declarations and wear face masks. The public have been barred from race meetings…

Three-time Group One winner Humidor will be transferred to Chris Waller. Originally trained in New Zealand by Johno Benner and Holly Wynyard, the rising eight-year-old gelding has also had stints with Darren Weir, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, and most recently Lindsey Smith. There had been talk of retirement before his last-start unplaced run in the Gr.3 Strickland Stakes (2000m) but the son of Teofilo will now travel to NSW in an attempt to reignite his career. Humidor has a rich history during the Victorian Spring carnival, highlighted by his…

New Zealand racing enthusiasts can now get their live racing fix on loveracing.nz. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing have added the capability of users to watch Trackside channels 1 and 2 live on the website. To take advantage of the new service, users will be required to register or log on to the website. Users can also utilise devices such as a chromecast to stream the channels to their televisions. For more information visit: loveracing.nz

More than 1,000 race meetings at 51 venues throughout New Zealand were confirmed today by the Dates Committee of the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) for the forthcoming racing year. The racing calendar, which covers the period from 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021, follows consultation with the three racing codes, clubs and other recognised racing organisations of a revised draft racing calendar that reflected the impact of Covid-19 on the industry and the critical need for racing industry reform. The final programme of racing includes a number of…

The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association will host two pre-season educational afternoons in July. The sessions will upskill and provide useful information for Breeding Course students, farm staff and members. Session dates are: Wednesday 22nd July – Rich Hill Stud  1-3pm – Dry mare care Dry mare managementReproduction and the transitional mareTeasing maresDentistryNutritionWednesday 29th July- Windsor Park 1-3pm pre and post foaling careFoaling presentationsProceduresImportant milestones in the first 48 hours of the foals lifeCareer pathwaysScholarship opportunities To register interest email nztba@nzthoroughbred.co.nz or 07 827 7727. Sessions are free for NZTBA members.

Leading Sydney jockey James McDonald has had a three-week riding ban reduced to seven days by the Racing NSW Appeals Panel. The panel upheld the stewards’ decision that McDonald’s effort on beaten favourite Threeood at Randwick last month breached the running and handling rule but reduced his penalty by two-thirds. McDonald was originally suspended for three weeks by Racing NSW stewards for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to give Threeood every opportunity to win or finish in the best possible position at Randwick on June 20. The…