The Corner with Garry Chittick
It would appear I now have to continue my weekly Corner with the amount of rumblings at the start of our new racing season. I have been around long enough to know we can never please all; my tenure as Chairman of the Racing Board was subjected to as much vitriol as subsequent Boards have had to bear, so what’s different this time, or is it different.
We now are dependent on at-arms-length private enterprise to generate the required returns to sustain stakes. Entain provided capital that kept a sinking ship afloat. Their guaranteed annual commitment has two years to run; my understanding is their business is not going too bad, (surprised, aren’t you), but it may be that the Soccer World Cup has provided them with an adrenaline boost. I may be wrong, but sport seems to be disproportionately marketed; my understanding of the sporting agencies’ returns are a set percentage of turnover or a percentage of net margin. This, of course, does not sit well with the recipients, as any margin over and above will be shared now by Entain and the Codes. This arrangement is a result of the long-held view of who owns the TAB, who are now sports’ wagering agent.
We need to be very wary, watching for any change.
However, back to the tom toms and the lack of confidence in the Thoroughbred Racing Board. I don’t raise this lightly, nor does it bring me any joy. To be the critic is easy, to have the answers – not so. After all, what change of moment is going to lead to better results. What are the better results. Well, we have had the wisdom of The Advisory Group. They pulled no punches with substantiated figures showing no disciplining of administrative costs and whatever reserves we may have will disappear within a very short period. Are they right? Well, we are a cash business with reserves resulting from the Entain deal. Thoroughbred racing doesn’t need to go broke. Not if they reduce stakes so owners go broke.
Where are these reserves, with yet another Board, the TAB/Racing Board. They won’t go broke because, as of now, they are refusing to share the largesse on the basis they have no confidence in, guess who, NZTR.
Now what about those at the coal face – the Clubs. Reduce stakes and they cop it. Are they happy, not the ones I talk to. It’s a disappointing conundrum, so does a change of Chairman or Board solve the issue.
I didn’t resign when attacked, so I doubt our current lot will either. What’s different this time is the Clubs are supporting a constitutional change; should they, why not?
Their options are do nothing and what will change? From where I sit, this is a time when the Clubs deserve a little respect for efforts to retain something they care about. They have seen the future predictions of a shortfall of funds, they have witnessed with no recourse the executive runaway costs, they are very conscious of the reduced investment in breeding regionally; nobody is more aware of the infrastructure shortfall, they are not only clubs but owners, sponsors, wagerers, breeders, and they care.
The effort to bring about change will not bring a magic change. Their view is common sense, patience, and prudence is required.
If the two of you get a chance, let your mates know all is never lost. A new compass will help navigate to the tailwind we need.
Share your thoughts below:
First foal for Waikato’s Group 1 winner Skew Wiff
Group 1-winning Savabeel mare Skew Wiff (ex Starvoia), known affectionately as ‘Wiffy’, foaled a filly by Super Seth in the early hours of Wednesday, 5 August.
Read More
A Season to remember: Waikato Stud’s 2025/26 track stars
The 2025/26 season will be remembered as another outstanding chapter for Waikato Stud, with the farm’s stallions, graduates and homebreds delivering black-type success on both sides of the Tasman. From Group 1 glory in Sydney to Classic triumphs at home, the results are a testament to the quality of the roster and, above all, to the breeders and owners who continue to support it.
Read More