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Sport Nation
NZTR announce new CEO
Sport Nation • February 5th, 2025 10:30 am
New NZTR CEO Matt Ballesty
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has announced the appointment of their new CEO, former Sky City casino boss Matt Ballesty.
Ballesty joins the NZTR team at a pivotal time with racing returning to its peak following moves to bolster the industry and the Government's recent introduction of a legislative net that will see further investment into the racing codes across the country.
“This is a homecoming,” 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.”
Ballesty is a well-establish business leader with experience at an executive level in businesses in New Zealand, Australia, Macau and Canada. He takes over the NZTR CEO role from Bruce Sharrock who announced he was leaving the role late last year.
“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,” NZTR Chairman Russell Warwick said.
“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.”
Entain Australia and New Zealand’s chief executive Dean Shannon welcomed Ballesty’s appointment.
“Matt is a genuinely good human who’s fully committed to ensuring the racing industry reaches its full potential in New Zealand,” Shannon said.
“We can’t wait to see what he brings to the table in the coming years.”
Ballesty will take the reins at NZTR from March 5.
“The success of the racing industry has always been built on the hard work done at a grassroots level by generations of Kiwis,” Ballesty said.
“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.”
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