Te Awamutu trainer Clayton Chipperfield is looking forward to welcoming back a beefed-up Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma) in the coming days, with this season’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner being readied for a spring campaign.

Cambridge trainer John Bell is delighted with the condition of his stable star Julius (NZ) (Swiss Ace), who again has summer sprint features firmly in his sights.

Leading Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta is enthusiastic about the prospect of an all-weather track at the busy Palmerston North racecourse.

After the coronavirus pandemic brought their career-best season to a sudden halt, Shaun and Emma Clotworthy are hoping to pick up where they left off.

New Plymouth trainer Warren Bolton has never had a large team in work, but the astute horseman generally has some promising gallopers within his select stable.

Ongoing Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) testing is providing optimism that the discovery of Theileria equi infection is a single, isolated case.

A Group One assignment in Queensland is in the offing for talented two-year-old Not An Option if he performs well at Randwick on Saturday.

Leading jockey Lisa Allpress was a step closer to doing what she loves best when riding at the Levin jump-outs on Wednesday.

Leading apprentice jockey Kozzi Asano has experienced a break-out season and he can’t wait for it to resume in July.

The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has informed all equine exporters that exports to, or via, Australia are suspended with immediate effect.

Despite the uncertain economic climate as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealand bloodstock agent Stuart Hale is remaining optimistic about the future.

Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen are looking to the youth in their stable ahead of spring racing.

Matamata trainer Danica Guy’s immediate focus is on educating some of the younger members of her team, but it will soon turn to spring racing where Guy hopes Group Three winner Germanicus (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) can improve even further.

Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie is one of many industry participants appreciative of Minister for Racing Winston Peters announcement last week of a $72.5 million COVID-19 emergency support package for the racing industry.

White Robe Lodge have announced the 2020 service fees for their three resident stallions.

Tauranga horseman Antony Fuller has Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Roger That (NZ) (Shinko King) back ticking over but he isn’t getting ahead of himself as he looks to place his stable star this spring.

Group One-winning filly Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) has returned to the Cambridge stable of Shaune Ritchie and will be a prepared for a campaign in Melbourne in spring.

There’s nothing like the green pastures of home and leading New Zealand jockey Opie Bosson can attest to that.

New Zealand racing lost the patriarch of a racing dynasty with the death last Saturday of Jock (John William) Harris.

Mike Moroney’s already impressive spring team is likely to be bolstered with the addition of a promising young galloper from the trainer’s New Zealand stable.

Despite the ongoing racetrack and sale ring success achieved by their stallions prgoeny over the last 12 months, Rich Hill Stud have elected to keep their fees largely unchanged for the 2020 breeding season.

While enjoying a return to stable life, trainer Stephen McKee is taking a patient approach as he enters a rebuilding stage with a mainly young team around him.

Trainer Jamie Richards is enjoying being back in a familiar routine as the Te Akau Racing operation gears up for a return to the racetrack in the coming months.

Uncertainty created by the Covid-19 pandemic has forced a change in plan for high class racemare Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park) who will commence her next campaign from the stable of Sydney-based trainer, John O’Shea.

Te Akau Racing have confirmed that leading jockey Opie Bosson will remain as their number one retained rider for the upcoming 2020/21 racing season.

Ruakaka trainer Kenny Rae was meant to be lapping up the sun in Queensland right now, but instead he is back at his sunny Northland property contemplating the future of his home course.

New Plymouth trainer John Wheeler still has a zest for life and passion for racing that will keep him in the training caper for the foreseeable future.

Wootton Bassett has been the star of the show since racing got underway in France following a COVID-19-enforced break.

With New Zealand transitioning to COVID-19 alert level 2 at 11:59pm on Wednesday, restrictions on domestic travel have eased and people are free to once again travel between regions.

Unlike any other racing nation, the rugged terrain, cool artic environments and mineral-rich soils in the South Island of New Zealand gives the Southern-born and raised thoroughbred strength and stamina, reinforcing their immense staying power.

2019/2020 has proven to be a breakthrough season both Australia and New Zealand for successful sire Rip Van Winkle.

Cambridge Stud have announced their 2020 stud fees for popular young sires Almanzor and Embellish. 

With COVID-19 curtailing the jumps season in New Zealand, Hunterville trainer Ken Duncan has elected to send two of his stable stars across the Tasman to try and nab some Australian spoils.

The proposed calendar for 2020-21 has been released today by RITA for consultation, as required under the Racing Act, with 10 thoroughbred racing venues proposed not to host racing in the new season.

Waikato’s famed Browne’s Hill is back in action after a month-long hiatus.

Two of New Zealand’s thoroughbred powerhouses are set to join forces to tackle Melbourne Spring Racing.

Minister for Racing Winston Peters has announced a $72.5 million dollar COVID-19 emergency support package for the racing industry.

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike believes the $72.5 million dollar COVID-19 emergency support package for the racing industry announced by Minister for Racing Winston Peters on Tuesday has breathed life back into the $1.6 billion industry which has been halted by coronavirus.

Racing every week at Riccarton. It’s a distinct possibility and something that excites the South Island’s leading trainer Michael Pitman, who trains in partnership with his son Matthew.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing welcomed Tuesday’s announcement by Racing Minister the Rt Hon. Winston Peters of an Emergency Support package for the racing industry.

The announcement of funding for two all-weather tracks in New Zealand has been welcomed by the racing industry.

Trainer Graham Richardson admits he was suffering from mixed emotions on Friday as his former stable star Volpe Veloce (Foxwedge) took the next step on her path to a career in the matron’s paddock.

It’s fair to say Palmerston North rider Robbie Hannam is a glass half full guy.

Despite a standout season for The Oaks Stud’s flagbearer Darci Brahma, the Cambridge stud farm has elected to keep the service fees unchanged heading into the 2020 breeding season.

Reliable Man filly Annavisto (NZ) is being set on a Classic campaign in Australia after recently being purchased out of Tony Pike’s Cambridge barn by prominent owner Bill Frost.

The Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) confirmed to its staff on Tuesday it would commence consultation about changes to the TAB in response to the impact of COVID-19.

Balcairn trainers John and Karen Parsons were in a more fortunate position than most throughout New Zealand’s month-long lockdown, with the husband and wife training combination able to utilise their private training set-up to lightly exercise some of their younger stock.

New Zealand’s green pastures have it rated as one of the world’s leading thoroughbred nurseries, though in the last few weeks it has been a few of the country’s racing participants turning a shade of green.

David Ellis welcomed an exciting addition to the team this week when a Tavistock yearling colt out of dual New Zealand Broodmare of the Year Bagalollies arrived at Te Akau Stud.

It was an emotional day on Saturday for the team at Cambridge Stud.

Valachi Downs’ trainer Stephen Autridge welcomed back 30 horses to his Matamata barn last week and he is excited about the future with his young team.

In a year where the resilience of breeders is likely to be tested in New Zealand, Westbury Stud have taken a positive approach to the troubled times when announcing their roster and fee structure for the upcoming season. 

Exciting three-year-old Holy Mongolemperor (NZ) (More Than Ready) has been sold and will do his future racing in Hong Kong.

Pukekohe-based trainer Nigel Tiley is happy to take a wait and see approach as the build-up commences for the resumption of racing in New Zealand in early July.

Bloodstock agent Adrian Clark has high hopes for his latest thoroughbred acquisition when she makes her racetrack return next season.

If you thought a month-long lockdown due to Covid-19 was a bitter pill to swallow, then spare a thought for Central Districts jockey Madan Singh.

Response to NZTA Letter of 22 April

Further to your letter to the Board of RITA last week, the Board discussed the questions contained in the correspondance at its meeting yesterday and herewith provide information to address the relevant points as best we can.