Maria Scott Named NZTR McKenzie Future Leaders Scholarship Recipient
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has named Maria Scott as the latest recipient of the NZTR McKenzie Future Leaders Scholarship - a $10,000 award supporting the next generation of leaders in New Zealand’s Thoroughbred industry.
Jointly funded by NZTR and Dean McKenzie, the scholarship supports recent school leavers connected to racing who are beginning a Commerce or Law degree, with the goal of strengthening the future of the sport through skilled governance, administration and leadership.
Scott, who has just begun a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing at the University of Auckland, has grown up in a racing family, with her father Andrew Scott training out of Wexford Stables. While racing has long been part of her life, her passion for the industry is distinctly her own.
Over the past few years, she has developed that passion through practical experience across several parts of the industry, including working at New Zealand Bloodstock sales in roles across reception, the auditorium, ringside sign-up, and scopes and bloods, while also spending school holidays at Kilmarnock Pretraining Stable helping with day-to-day horse care and learning trackwork.
Combined with a strong academic record and leadership experience through representative lacrosse, Scott has already shown a clear commitment to building a long-term future in racing media, marketing and leadership.
“Growing up in racing didn’t seem like a typical childhood to me, but it’s something I’m incredibly proud of. The scholarship felt like the perfect fit because I've always been drawn to the media and marketing side of the sport,” Scott says.
“I’d love to help find creative, modern ways to connect people to racing – not just as a day out, but by telling the stories of the trainers, jockeys, and horses behind the scenes. There’s so much potential to engage a new generation.”
She hopes to combine tertiary study with a long-term career in racing media and leadership. Scott hopes to one day undertake the prestigious Godolphin Flying Start programme, a global two-year scholarship spanning Ireland, England and Dubai, further building her management and industry expertise.
NZTR McKenzie Future Leaders Scholarship Founder, Dean McKenzie, says supporting ambitious young people like Maria is crucial to the sport's future.
“Maria has a genuine love of racing and a real passion for where the industry can go next.”
“Young people who understand both the tradition of our sport and the opportunities ahead in areas like digital and marketing are incredibly important to its future. Supporting emerging leaders like Maria helps make sure New Zealand racing continues to grow and adapt,” he said.
The NZTR McKenzie Future Leaders Scholarship was established to support promising young people connected to the Thoroughbred industry as they begin university study, while also helping strengthen the future leadership and administrative capability of New Zealand racing. Jointly funded by NZTR and Dean McKenzie, the $10,000 scholarship is open to recent school leavers planning to undertake a Commerce or Law degree at a New Zealand university.
Applications for the next round, including all required documents, will open on Tuesday 1 September 2026 and close on Friday 13 November 2026, with further information available via the LOVERACING.NZ careers website here.
