New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing names Matt Ballesty as CEO

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing names Matt Ballesty as CEO

Ballesty will assume the role on March 5.

New Zealand.- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), the governing body for thoroughbred horse racing in New Zealand, has announced the appointment of Matt Ballesty as CEO. He will take up the role on March 5.

Ballesty is a dual citizen of New Zealand and Australia and has occupied several senior executive positions internationally in Australia, Macau, and Canada. He studied at the New Zealand Institute of Directors and served as a board member for Heart of the City Auckland.

Ballesty said: “I’ve been passionate about racing for a long time as both an enthusiast and an owner and I can’t wait to get stuck into the hard work of further developing thoroughbred racing in New Zealand. The success of the racing industry has always been built on the hard work done at a grassroots level by generations of Kiwis.

“What excites me most is the opportunity to meet the people around the country who contribute to making the racing industry what it is today. Everyone from the breeders, trainers, owners and jockeys, right through to the clubs, play a critical role in creating a vibrant community and sport that continues to excel on the global stage.”

NZTR chair Russell Warwick and newly appointed CEO Matt Ballesty. Source: NZTR.

NZTR chair Russell Warwick commented: “The racing industry is going through a period of significant change and Matt is the perfect candidate to ensure that every person contributing to the industry continues to play a key role in the future. This appointment is about securing the legacy of the racing industry in the long term. We could not be happier to have someone of Matt’s calibre holding the reins at this critical point.”

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Dean Shannon, the chief executive for Entain Australia and New Zealand, a key strategic partner for NZTR, also welcomed the arrival of Ballesty. He said: “Matt is a genuinely good human who’s fully committed to ensuring that the racing industry reaches its full potential in New Zealand. We can’t wait to see what he brings to the table in the coming years.”

See also: New Zealand plans public consultation on GST reform for thoroughbred breeders

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New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing