Winston Peters speaks to media at Ellerslie Racecourse. Photo: RNZ / Felix Walton
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says the horse racing industry needs to raise the stakes and get its "mojo" back.
Peters, who is also the minister for racing, spoke at an industry event at Auckland's Ellerslie Racecourse on Monday morning.
There, the TAB and NZ Thoroughbred Racing announced a revised summer calendar with five new events funded by the TAB that would bring the 2024 to 2025 summer prizepool up to $23.8 million, compared to $14.8m last season.
The following 2025 to 2026 season would have a total prize pool of $27.5m.
This included a new "Champions Day" featuring a $9m prize pool.
"The racing industry is facing new challenges and change is needed," Peters said.
"Racing is worth more than $1.6 billion to the New Zealand economy; it employs more than 14,000 New Zealanders and is a growing source of export revenue.
"We must seek, surely, to double those outcomes as soon as possible, and in doing so match the outcomes already achieved by leading racing countries such as Ireland."
He said New Zealand's racing industry could compete on the world stage.
"Our bloodstock industry continues to be the source of champions to the world - we grow the most productive grass horses in the world," he said.
"We've got some of the greatest young people and the keenest minds. New Zealand thoroughbreds consistently outperform their competition in every country they perform in."
Matthew Cameron and his horse, Waimoku Falls, at Auckland Cup Day in 2022. Photo: Photosport / Alan Lee
Peters said the increased stakes would open more opportunities for young people to enter the industry.
He then took a moment to address critics.
"For all those people worried about animal cruelty, horses love to race," he said, unprompted.
"Some people need to understand what they're talking about before they rush to judgement and make all sorts of comments, as these trolls are wont to do."
He said the new events were a "fresh start" for the racing industry.
"Everyone here wants New Zealand racing to get its mojo back and, with wise decision-making and a rationalisation of our resources across the country, that will happen," he said.
"A for-far-too-long stalled industry can hopefully exhibit its real potential."
Well-attired gents at the NZ Trotting Cup in Christchurch last November. Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon
