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It’s fantastic to be here this evening to celebrate the best of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand.

I want to extend my congratulations to all the finalists, and award winners tonight.

We’ve seen some fantastic performances from our horsemen, horsewomen, and your horses.

This includes: Dundeel in the top 20 world rankings; Silent Achiever and Rising Romance winning several top races in Australia; and Vespa, the tough two year old, trained by Jono in my home patch of Otaki winning the Karaka Million.

The next round of applications for the Racing Safety Development Fund opens today, Minister for Racing Nathan Guy has announced.

“The fund supports important projects around the country that improve racecourse health and safety standards,” Mr Guy says.

“This has included improvements for safety running rails, irrigation and drainage, horse containment fences, and grandstand repairs.”

A total of $1 million is available from the fund in the 2014/2015 financial year, and all racing clubs and racing code bodies can apply.

Racing Minister Nathan Guy and Revenue Minister Todd McClay have confirmed that Inland Revenue officials will work with the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association on a number of tax issues raised by the industry.

The issues cover questions the NZTBA has over the application of tax rules for the industry and are expected to be dealt with as part of the normal consultative process between the private sector and tax officials.

Racing Minister Nathan Guy has welcomed Ministers from Australian states to the 2014 Australasian Racing Ministers conference in Wellington today.

“This is the first time this annual event has been held in New Zealand since 2005. It’s a great opportunity to discuss common issues and challenges facing the racing industry in both our countries,” Mr Guy says.

Ministers discussed the issues of off-shore wagering and animal welfare, along with presentations from the New Zealand Racing Board and the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Good morning and thank you for the invitation to address your annual conference. It is great to be here with so many of the people who make racing in New Zealand happen.

Having had this portfolio for nearly two years now, I’m impressed by the passion and commitment of the people involved at every level.

Over the last few months I’ve been attending the code conferences to talk about some of the recent issues and challenges facing the industry.

Racing Minister Nathan Guy today announced the appointment of Penny Mudford as Chair of the New Zealand Racing Safety Development Fund (RSDF).

“Penny has over 10 years’ experience in a range of governance roles both in the public and private sectors. She has strong mediation skills which will stand her in good stead in her role as chairperson,” says Mr Guy.

Good morning and thank you for the invitation to address your annual conference. This morning I’d like to talk briefly about some of the important developments since I attended your annual awards dinner last year.

Of course this week we saw the Melbourne Cup and New Zealanders spent $9.3 million on betting, a new record and up one percent from last year.

My pick was Voleuse do Coeurs, trained by a Kiwi and ridden by top New Zealand jockey James McDonald. Sadly she ran in 10th, so I hope no-one took my advice. Congratulations to the winner Fiorente.

Good morning and thank you for inviting me to open the 105^th Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Greyhound Racing Association.

Can I acknowledge:

Racing Minister Nathan Guy today announced the appointment of Glenda Hughes as Independent Chairperson of the New Zealand Racing Board’s (NZRB’s) governing body.

Ms Hughes was appointed as Independent Chairperson following consultation with the racing industry.

The racing industry makes an important contribution to the New Zealand economy, generating around $1.6 billion annually and around 17000 jobs.

Nominations sought for Racing Board Chair

Minister for Racing Nathan Guy is calling for nominations for independent Chair of the New Zealand Racing Board.

“This is an important position as the head of the governing body for racing in New Zealand,” says Mr Guy.

“The New Zealand Racing Board is responsible for the promotion, organisation and development of the racing industry, and also provides racing and sports betting services through the TAB.

Racing Minister Nathan Guy has announced that Alistair Ryan has been appointed as Deputy Chairperson of the New Zealand Racing Board.

“Mr Ryan is currently a member of the New Zealand Racing Board and his appointment helps maintain stable governance,” says Mr Guy.

“In addition to his corporate governance expertise, Mr Ryan has strong finance and managerial experience.”

Mr Ryan’s appointment as Deputy Chairperson follows the High Court decision quashing the 2012 appointment of Dr Alan Jackson as independent Chairperson of the NZRB.

Applications are now open for the next round of the Racing Safety Development Fund, the Minister of Racing Nathan Guy has announced today.

“The Fund supports important projects around the country that improve racecourse health and safety standards,” says Mr Guy.

“In the past this has included projects like improvements to gates, stables, fences and grandstand repairs.

“There is $572,956 available available in this second round from a total figure of $1 million for 2012/13.

Racing Minister Nathan Guy will join New Zealand racing industry leaders at a series of regional meetings this week.

He will be joined by the New Zealand Racing Board’s Chairman Dr Alan Jackson and Chief Executive Chris Bayliss to discuss the issues and opportunities facing racing.

“This is an opportunity for people involved at the grassroots of racing to meet with me and the new leadership team at the Racing Board.

Chairman Pat O’Brien and Harness Racing New Zealand Board Members, club delegates and invited guests, I want to thank you for the invitation to address Harness Racing's annual conference.

I want to acknowledge representatives of the New Zealand Racing Board, in particular interim Chief Executive Officer Bill Colgan.  I know that Bill will shortly be heading back to Australia.  I would like to thank him for his hard work at the New Zealand Racing Board over the last few years. 

Racing Minister Nathan Guy today announced the appointment of Dr Alan Jackson, Greg McCarthy, Rod Croon, Graham Cooney and Alistair Ryan to the New Zealand Racing Board’s (NZRB) governing body.

“The board has a crucial strategic and leadership role to help racing reach its potential as a strong and sustainable industry,” says Mr Guy.

“Racing is a major industry with a turnover of around $1.6 billion and supporting almost 9000 fulltime equivalent jobs.

Minister for Racing Nathan Guy has announced that 22 projects to improve safety at New Zealand racecourses will be receiving grants totalling $508,826.95.

“The Racing Safety Development Fund provides $1 million a year for projects that improve on-course health and safety, with matching dollar-for-dollar contributions from racing clubs.

“This year’s second funding round has supported a wide range of infrastructure projects including power supply upgrade, replacement greyhound kennels and parade ring fencing.

The Minister for Racing Nathan Guy has announced that applications for the next round of the Racing Safety Development Fund are now open.

“This Fund supports projects that improve facilities and upgrade the safety standards at racecourses,” says Mr Guy.

“All racing clubs and the racing code bodies are invited to submit applications for funding, with $508,826 available in this second round from a total figure of $1 million for 2011/12.