In the week since the public airing of plans for the Auckland and Counties Racing Clubs to merge, stakeholders have had a chance to take stock of what this will mean for their industry.
The two clubs’ respective memberships reacted positively to the merits of the plan focussed on realising assets, significantly increasing stakes and infrastructures and future-proofing racing in the greater Auckland region. There’s no surprise that racing’s kindred bodies have likewise responded – in some cases with unbridled enthusiasm – notwithstanding the elephant in the room remains the probability that jumps racing has no future at Ellerslie.
As part of the transparent approach taken by the Auckland and Counties clubs, engagement with stakeholder groups began well before last week’s public announcements and will continue as preparations are made for the most important step in the whole process, the members’ vote necessary to proceed.
“It’s fair to say you never count your chickens,” Auckland Racing Club CEO Paul Wilcox commented earlier this week, “but to this point we’re very happy with how the plan has been received.
“Both members’ forums went well and the questions around what the proposal alerted members to presented nothing of significance that we couldn’t answer. We’re now preparing the necessary documents for signing ahead of the Special General Meetings, the first of which will be at Counties with a tentative date of June 23 followed soon afterwards by the Auckland SGM.”
Wilcox and his club associates appreciate what the plan to realise the significant value of the Ellerslie hill means as well as the worth that those aligned with jumping bring to racing overall. The stark reality is that if the clubs vote in favour of the proposal, this year’s Great Northern Steeplechase will be the last jumps race to be staged at Ellerslie.
“We’ve engaged with the jumps fraternity and have asked them to come back with ideas around what the future might look like,” added Wilcox. “If anything it might give jumps racing a chance to look at its model and whether we’re part of the solution. A legacy fund for jumps racing’s future could be one consideration – if there’s a solution let’s see what it looks like.”
National Jumps Racing Coordinator Paul Claridge has been part of the group engaging with the Auckland clubs and agrees with Wilcox that the end of jumps racing at Ellerslie may well provide an opportunity.
“Although the hill belongs to Ellerslie, it also belongs to the jumps fraternity of New Zealand and it’s going to be a sad, sad day when it does close,” said Claridge. “However it is hard to argue against the proposal around the hill as part of what the Auckland clubs are setting out to achieve.
“That’s something we can’t ignore. Realising the value of the hill is a big part of the overall plan, which includes building a managed fund for the future of racing. That still has to include jumps racing and a one-off payment would not be sufficient, it needs to be something sustainable.”
Claridge will be attending this Saturday’s Waikato feature jumps meeting at Te Rapa, when he will invite discussions on what the Ellerslie hill closure may mean and canvas ideas for the future. To that end he has already engaged with jumps participants across the Tasman and sees potential in finding common ground in matters such as race programmes and the jumps jockey pool.
“I acknowledge this may spur us into action that might not otherwise have been considered,” he added. “We have to fight the battles we can win and ensure the development of jumps racing, which includes facilities at other venues.
“There’s also value to be had in the fact that we still provide the best jumps horses in Australia and we need to work towards greater recognition of that and ways the two countries can work together for our mutual benefit.
“I’m keen to discuss what the future for jumps racing might look like with a wider group of participants and see where that takes us.”
Other racing industry affiliates have an unequivocal view on what the Auckland merger plan could mean for the future – the expression ‘no-brainer’ is being commonly heard. Preliminary discussions have taken place with the NZ Trainers’ and Jockeys’ Associations, the NZ Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners’ Federation and the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.
All are on the same page as to the potential benefits, from significant stake increases to encouraging investment at both owner and breeder level, and infrastructure enhancements headed by a StrathAyr track installation and including improved facilities for participants, both equine and human. In that respect Owners’ Federation president Bernard Hickey makes some salient points.
“We’re totally in favour of the proposal, it’s an absolutely positive move and something that other regions need to take on board and look at,” said Hickey. “Good facilities for owners are important – in that respect Ellerslie has already made excellent advances – as well as stakes with some promise of a decent return and acceptable racing surfaces and other amenities for our horses.
“By heading down the path they propose, the Auckland and Counties clubs are proactively addressing all those needs.”
