The Steele Report

Five months into a new season, Harness Racing New Zealand CEO Brad Steele responds to questions put to him by Bruce Stewart.

The Aces series won’t be held this year. Are there going to be end of season races for the two year olds to replace the series?

This is very much of high priority and focus at present. There is potential to have both a trotting and pacing 2YO feature on the Friday following Show Day (22 November in 2025), which will be the culmination of 2YO Calendar for the season. This date will also contain Pacing and Trotting Oaks and Derby’s, The Christian Cullen 4YO G1, a potential new mare’s feature. We are also mindful in discontinuing the Aces that this removes one of the opportunities for 2YO Trotting Fillies, and this is something in addition that will require addressing.

Plus, there are benefits in the 2YOs having a break starting a month earlier, than around 6 December as it has been.

Are there any plans to change the timing of some of the big races in the next calendar year?

There is ongoing work surrounding the flow of the feature race calendar. We have to be mindful particularly with juvenile racing of diluting what can already be a limited pool of horses. There will always be instances which are unavoidable but the more limitation of conflicting races the more successful that calendar will prove to be.

With the World Drivers Championship coming up in November how many races will be carded for these drivers at each meeting?

The WDC continues to take shape. There will be 5 races spread across the 2 days at Kaikoura (Nov 2-3), 5 at Cambridge (Nov 5), 5 at Addington (Nov 7), 4 at Winton (Nov 9) and the final heat on NZ Cup Day on November 11. Further information on WDC25.nz.

Outside of the racing, what initiatives are being planned in each WDC region?

Programme for drivers, accompanying persons and visitors being worked on including Kaikoura whale watching, Cambridge Stud visit, an NZ Cup Day experience and a Southern hospitality.

Are there any other big plans in the future for events or races in NZ to expose harness racing to the world?

HRNZ is embarking on a strategic mission to elevate the international presence and commercial reach of New Zealand harness racing. Several key initiatives are currently in motion, targeting strategic partnerships and market development opportunities in key global territories.

HRNZ is working closely with Tabcorp International, leveraging their global wagering distribution infrastructure and international market relationships. The collaboration focuses on exploring Scandinavian and Northern European markets and there is a renewed focus being placed on expanding the visibility and availability in North America.

HRNZ has just initiated formal discussions with Le Trot, the governing body of French trotting, to explore breeding and racing opportunities.

NZ is also hosting the World Trotting Conference with 28 countries represented, about 80 participants, in 2026 NZ Cup week.

Will the interdominion series ever return to New Zealand?

We remain highly supportive of the Inter Dominion as a pinnacle event in the Australasian harness racing calendar, and New Zealand would welcome the opportunity to consider and host the series again in the future.

However, the return of the Inter Dominion to New Zealand ultimately depends on broader commercial, logistical, and governance considerations, including the rotation model and commitments among the Inter Dominion Event Committee (IDEC) partners.

Last year we had good Australian participation in our major carnivals. Are there any plans afoot to get more Australian participants here this year?

We expect the trends seen in 2024, and even 2023 to continue to evolve on a positive trajectory. There are several enhancements in the pipeline for our Spring features, (though subject to funding), which will continue to attract the best horses competing both in New Zealand and across the Tasman. Work is also underway with Sky Channel in Australia to ensure the delivery of New Zealand Harness Racing in Australia is on their premier channel (Sky 1) wherever possible.

Have there been any further developments in the reshaping of Show Day?

Show Day will remain relatively unchanged from 2024 following a major makeover last year, though there are some potential time changes to ensure as much of the card as possible can be broadcast on Sky 1 in Australia.

In your travels around the country, how would you describe the pulse of the NZ harness racing industry?

In my travels across the country, I’ve felt a real heartbeat behind the New Zealand harness racing industry – one that’s steady, proud, and deeply passionate. Everywhere I go, I encounter people who care. From small regional clubs to larger metropolitan venues. But there’s no denying the challenges we face – tightening economics, shifting demographics, and a competitive entertainment landscape. But what strikes me most is the grit and determination of the people in this industry. I’ve met club volunteers pouring their hearts into race days, trainers mentoring the next generation, and owners still lighting up with excitement as their horse hits the track.

I’d describe the pulse of our industry as hopeful and hungry for progress. There’s a growing sense that now is the time to modernise, to tell our story better, and to open the gates wider to new fans and owners. People want to feel proud again, not just of where we’ve come from, but of where we’re going.

Are there still pockets of resistance?

As with any evolving industry, especially one with deep-rooted traditions like harness racing, it’s natural to encounter varying perspectives. Yes, there are still pockets of resistance in some areas often driven by uncertainty, or differing views on the pace and direction of reform.

However, I believe the important thing is that the broader industry is increasingly aligned around the need for revitalisation and sustainability. We’re seeing a growing appetite for innovation, collaboration, and new thinking across clubs, participants, and stakeholders.

Our approach is to engage respectfully with those who may be hesitant, understand their concerns, and work together where possible.

What’s your key message to stake holders?

Harness racing in New Zealand is at a turning point and we’re embracing that with a bold vision for the future. We’re building a sustainable and exciting future for the next generation of participants, fans, and investors. Modernisation is not about leaving the past behind; it’s about protecting our heritage by making the industry viable and vibrant for decades to come. Yes, change is hard, but standing still is not an option.

We’re actively removing red tape and outdated processes that hinder progress.

Digital transformation plus a stronger international connection are key pillars of our growth strategy.

New Zealand has a powerful brand in the international trotting and pacing world we must capitalise on that.

We must grow our ownership base, bring in new fans, and support younger participants into the industry.

This is our time to lead. Harness racing has a proud history, but I believe our best chapters are still to come.

Are there any plans to offer incentives for the breeders who go to stallions priced at the middle to low end of the market?

We fully acknowledge the importance of supporting this segment of the breeding sector. Encouraging greater use of mid- to lower-priced stallions play a key role in promoting genetic diversity and maintaining accessibility for a wider range of breeders, which is essential for the long-term sustainability of our industry.

We are actively considering several innovative approaches to address this and these ideas are subject to securing increased funding, but we believe they present an exciting and effective way to stimulate activity and broaden participation at this level of the market.

Our goal is to develop a framework that not only supports breeders financially, but also strengthens the overall breeding ecosystem but with solutions that are both practical and impactful.

The Fillies and Mares Credit scheme has put $1 million of breeding credits in breeders accounts as of 5 May. They are available for service fees and breeding costs.  We will be notifying breeders individually of the credit during May as they start planning for 25/26.

One of the big drives is to utilise the horses that we have bred. Only around 50% of our horses that qualify race. How do you plan to get more of those qualifiers into the system?

The new dates, low grade meetings, rating and programming policies are to increase utilisation across the board:

Moving Cambridge to Thursday – plus more meetings in 25/26

Addington lower grade Wednesdays – more meetings

Working with Southern Harness to programme one or two lower grade $8,000 races, open nominations

Continue to Increase F&M racing – Silk Road starts soon – key to getting foal to track % up from 46% closer to 60%

Increased support for trotting to improve their utilisation, mares bred in last season almost the same as previous

Programming so that lower grade horses get a chance to race like with like

Harness Racing’s association with the New Zealand Warriors kicked off recently. How did that go and what was the combined turnover of Alexandra Park and Addington?

The inaugural collaboration between HRNZ and the NZ Warriors proved to be an outstanding success, marking a significant milestone in broadening the appeal of harness racing and engaging new audiences. The joint event featuring a thrilling harness racing meeting at Addington Raceway followed by the NZ Warriors game attracted a large and diverse crowd, many of whom were first-time racegoers.

The race meeting saw one of the largest attendances of the season, with a notably youthful and energetic crowd drawn by the cross-promotional power of the NZ Warriors brand. This fresh audience not only brought a vibrant atmosphere to the track but also engaged enthusiastically with the racing experience.

Hospitality offerings were in high demand throughout the evening, with the club achieving record-breaking sales across its food, beverage, and premium hospitality packages. The combination of live racing, entertainment, and anticipation for the Warriors match created a dynamic event experience that resonated with guests.

On the night, the event buzz was palpable. The venue was alive with excitement, underscoring the success of the concept in fusing top-tier sport and racing entertainment.

FNL is going well with:

Increase in the number of active punters who bet on both meetings each week

Active punters at both venues up – two Fridays back ATC exceeded NZMTC for the first time this season

NZ Warriors night ANZAC day combined turnover was $2.146 million with ATC $1.18m and 12,600 punters, following week combined $1.85 million again 12,600 ATC punters.

Is there an update on plans to help young trainers to set up using racing club land and facilities?

HRNZ reaffirms its commitment to the next generation of harness racing professionals through an ambitious vision to establish a network of dedicated training centres across the country. This initiative is not only a strategic investment in the future of our sport but also a deeply inspirational opportunity to revitalise underutilised racing club land and facilities in a way that creates lasting industry benefit.

We are pleased to share that some preliminary work has already commenced. Several clubs have expressed strong interest in partnering with HRNZ to explore how their land and assets can be repurposed or enhanced to host young trainer initiatives. Site assessments, concept modelling, and stakeholder consultations are yet to be mapped out.

HRNZ will continue to work collaboratively with clubs, industry partners, and potential Funders to refine this vision and secure the necessary partnerships and investment to bring these centres to life.

Any update on the Auckland Trotting Club’s Pukekohe land sale?

Currently, HRNZ understands that the Auckland Trotting Club continues to progress with the sale process for its Pukekohe property. However, as this is a matter being managed directly by the ATC, HRNZ is not able to provide detailed commentary on the transaction’s status or timelines.

We maintain regular dialogue with the ATC and are committed to supporting the club and the broader industry through any transition or development that may arise from the outcome of the sale. Should there be material updates that affect industry operations or stakeholders, we will communicate these promptly through official HRNZ channels.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink