Warwick to step down as NZTR Chair as Entain announces leadership change

NZ Racing Desk

02 Jul 2026 — 8 min read

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Chair Russell Warwick will step down from the role at the beginning of August before retiring from the Board following the organisation's Annual General Meeting in November.

The announcement comes as Entain confirmed Chris Haigh will replace Sam Moncur as Managing Director of its New Zealand business, with both changes occurring as New Zealand racing continues through a period of industry reform.

Warwick advised the NZTR Board of his decision this week, saying the increasing demands of the chairmanship alongside his responsibilities as General Manager of Westbury Stud had led him to step aside.

"The demands of the role over recent months, together with my need to focus on my primary role at Westbury Stud, mean I have reluctantly decided to step down as Chair," Warwick said.

"It is my intention to stand down as Chairman at the start of August and to resign as a director at the time of the AGM in November.

"I would like to thank my fellow Board members, the NZTR executive team and all NZTR staff for their extraordinary support and the work they undertake on behalf of our industry.

"Their commitment and professionalism give me great confidence in the future of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand.

"My intention was to give something back to an industry that has given me so much."

Warwick joined the NZTR Board in 2024 after more than 50 years' involvement in the New Zealand thoroughbred industry.

He said he remained committed to supporting the Board over the coming weeks, with providing certainty around funding for the new season and continuing discussions with TAB NZ and the TAB NZ Advisory Committee among the immediate priorities.

"Our work programme includes important strategic initiatives, including Project Stamina, and my priority is to ensure that this momentum continues. While I am stepping aside as Chair, NZTR's day-to-day operations and strategic priorities remain unchanged.

"I remain committed to supporting the Board, management and the wider industry as we continue to deliver the reforms and investments that will strengthen the future of thoroughbred racing."

NZTR Chief Executive Matt Ballesty thanked Warwick for his contribution to the organisation and the wider industry.

"On behalf of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Board, management and staff, I would like to sincerely thank Russell for his outstanding leadership, dedication and commitment to thoroughbred racing," Ballesty said.

"During his time as Chair, Russell has led the organisation through one of the most significant periods of reform and investment in our industry's history and has consistently acted in the best interests of racing and its participants.

"Russell brings deep racing knowledge, commercial experience and integrity to every role he undertakes. He leads with humility, calmness and a genuine passion for the industry. While we fully respect his decision, we are pleased he will continue to contribute as a director during this critical period."

NZTR said a decision on Warwick's successor as Chair would be announced in the coming weeks.

The leadership change follows confirmation that Sam Moncur has left Entain after helping oversee the establishment of the wagering operator's strategic partnership with TAB NZ.

Chris Haigh has been appointed Entain's New Zealand Managing Director, taking responsibility for the company's New Zealand operations while retaining his role as Chief Media Officer for Entain Australia and New Zealand.

Haigh joined Entain in 2023 after senior executive roles with Foxtel Group, Kayo Sports and Fox Sports Australia. Moncur had served as Entain's New Zealand Managing Director since the partnership with TAB NZ commenced in 2023.

Ballesty acknowledged Moncur's contribution and welcomed Haigh to the role.

"I want to acknowledge Sam Moncur, who is moving on from Entain after playing a key role in establishing and strengthening the partnership between Entain and TAB NZ," Ballesty said.

"Sam has been a strong supporter of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, and I thank him for his contribution and wish him all the best for the future.

"At the same time, I'd like to welcome Chris Haigh as Entain's new New Zealand Managing Director. Chris's appointment reflects Entain's continued focus on New Zealand, and I look forward to working with him as we continue to build a strong partnership that delivers for our industry." - NZ Racing Desk

Mr Mozart’s first weanlings impress at Karaka

A filly by Mr Mozart out of O’Pristine sold for $40,000 to Queensland’s Mishani Enterprises. Photo: New Zealand Bloodstock

Emerging sire Mr Mozart made an encouraging start to his commercial career at last week’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale, with his first crop attracting strong interest from buyers.

Demand was evident across the board at Karaka, with New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale posting increases in all key metrics. A total of 102 weanlings sold for an aggregate of $3.593 million, up 49 percent on last year, while the average rose 23 percent to $35,255 and the clearance rate reached 89 percent.

Within that strong market, Highview Stud’s Group-performed son of Snitzel was represented by six weanlings, all of which sold at an average of $24,000.

An early highlight came when a filly out of the O’Reilly mare O’Pristine, offered by Haunui Farm, sold for $40,000 to Queensland’s Mishani Enterprises.

Haunui Farm Managing Director Mark Chitty said the quality and consistency of Mr Mozart’s offspring had impressed from the outset.

“We’ve been a bit of a fan of him since he went to stud, and probably more of a fan since his foals have landed on the ground,” Chitty said.

“We’ve had a good number of colts and fillies born, he’s given us a good, consistent type. They’ve been correct horses that have grown out well, and the couple of fillies and colts that we took through to the weanling sale sold accordingly.

“I think he suits a large number of broodmares here in New Zealand. He had a good race record, he’s obviously by Snitzel, who’s certainly one of the pre-eminent sires of sires, and from a really good family that Windsor Park has a lot to do with, that have sold well in the sales ring and performed at the highest level on the racetrack.

“For a horse that stands at $6,000, I just found him to be extremely good value for people.”

Chitty said the strength of this year’s National Weanling Sale was another positive for breeders and provided an ideal platform for young stallions to gain commercial momentum.

“If you’re wanting new investment in the industry, and at a commercial level, you want real viable options as to when you might be able to realise the product.

“It’s a great medium to promote new stallions, such as a horse like Mr Mozart.

“It also gives people a cash flow opportunity earlier, rather than taking on the costs of going to a yearling sale. I think to help grow the industry, a very viable on-site weanling sale, as we had, is very encouraging.”

Highview Stud principal Brent Gillovic was equally pleased with the reception Mr Mozart’s first crop received. Having covered 91 mares in his first season at stud and a further 82 in his second, the young sire has enjoyed solid support from breeders, and Gillovic believes the positive response at Karaka has further enhanced his prospects.

“I think it was probably the best weanling sale in New Zealand in many years. It was fantastic and the clearance rate on the day was outstanding. It was fantastic news for the industry,” Gillovic said.

“I didn’t have a chance to get around and see his stock prior to sale day, but when they presented in the ring I was very pleased with what I saw.

“I was particularly taken with Lot 5. She was a beautiful filly and was keenly sought after, which really set the scene for the others.

“He does leave a good type and we’re certainly really happy with the ones at home. We will probably take 12 to 15 to the yearling sales in January.”

Gillovic said Mr Mozart had made an excellent impression during his first two seasons at stud, not only through the quality of his stock but also their outstanding temperaments.

“The foal crop’s diminishing and a lot of smaller breeders have left the industry, which is sad. But a horse like this at $6,000 gives people a chance to breed a good horse. He’s underpriced by far.

“He’s got Australian Group form. Had he not been owned by James Chapman (of Jamieson Park), who was determined to stand him at stud in New Zealand and wasn’t interested in selling him, ordinarily that horse would have been lost to a stud in Australia for sure.

“We were delighted when we were approached to stand him. We took an ownership share in him and I’m very happy with how it’s all worked out.” - NZ RACING DESK