Open wide so both feet can fit!
by Brian de Lore
Published 23rd August 2021
NZTR Chairman Cameron George ended up with both feet in his mouth last Friday week by carelessly putting his mouth into gear while his brain was in neutral. The incident followed the board meeting of NZTR (New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing) at Riccarton Racecourse on the day before the running of the Grand National Steeplechase.
Shaun Clotworthy was present in the room unbeknown to George when CEO Bernard Saundry made it known to George that Clotworthy had been appointed the new President of the New Zealand Trainers’ Association.
Participating in the meeting via Zoom from Australia, Cameron George made a series of disparaging remarks about Shaun and his appointment – overheard by all in earshot, including Shaun Clotworthy. Saundry attempted to hush him up, but George didn’t twig and continued the tirade until Clotworthy came into camera view. Predictably, it then stopped but without any sign of embarrassment or apology from George.
Details of the incident became known to The Optimist neither from Shaun Clotworthy nor anyone on the board. But when something that crass occurs, it’s human nature for a spillage of the beans, and it came to these pages second-hand, but afterwards confirmed in a phone call to Shaun Clotworthy.
Why is Cameron George on the board of NZTR ?
It raises a couple of questions that people in racing were asking before this incident. Why is Cameron George on the board of NZTR, and why is he the Chair? He’s Australian and has spent the whole of 2021 living and working in Australia; how can he possibly do justice to a position that requires constant attention for an industry declining at an alarming rate.
How do industry participants draw any confidence from someone who behaves in this manner? Not only is it a low act, but why would the Chair of NZTR turn vitriolic about anyone’s appointment at the Trainers’ Association unless it’s someone unlikely to comply with the cartel or someone who might stand firm for the battlers in racing, or someone who might mobilise his members for a better deal than they’ve been getting. Shaun could be all of those.
Shaun and Emma Clotworthy have been great supporters of the racing industry for many years, as was Shaun’s father, Kim Clotworthy, before that, going back to the days of the champion colt, Uncle Remus. They are a highly respected racing family that will still be involved long after Cameron George is a forgotten name back in Australia.
The New Zealand racing industry faces numerous challenges without cowboy behaviour borne out of buffoonery, ego, or self-interest. This sort of stuff has been going on for too long. Nepotism has become the norm, evident by a recent appointment, and denialism about the state of the racing industry is endemic in the ranks of racing administrators and even more so in Government circles which, led by Minister of Racing Grant Robertson, has assumed ownership of the TAB.
Big budget increase for RIU
Here’s something you probably don’t know: While owners and trainers are eating the wallpaper off their walls (you already knew that), the newly appointed RIU (Racing Integrity Unit) Board have had a budget increase from $9 million last season to $14 million for this current season. Who’s paying? You are!
Why? Partly because they are employing four new animal welfare inspectors to make sure everyone is doing the correct thing in the eyes of the PC brigade and ‘the Greenies,’ and unlike the rest of the industry, the Minister sees the need to expand or strengthen its control according to the Racing Act 2020. Does the budget also allow for an upgrade in the quality of the single malt scotch in the boardroom liquor cabinet?
Have a look at the new RIU Board. Appointed by Minister Robertson is the Chair Sir Bruce Robertson, well advanced in years, a retired judge who has a sports background but devoid of racing knowledge; Kristy McDonald QC, who has had her snout in the racing trough for years; Dr Patricia Pearce – vet and animal welfare; Brent Williams – ex JCA board member, and on the board of the NZ Egg producers Association; Penny Mudford, company director like the others, the veterinary council of NZ, Rural Woman NZ, and former Chair of the Racing Safety Development Fund Industry Working Group.
…stereotypical Government-appointed board
This board ticks all the boxes of the modern, stereotypical Government-appointed board with gender equality, a high average age with a cushy retiree look, an all-but-one content of names with numerous letters attached, and a long history of ‘Institute of Directors’ experience. The only thing they lack is a deep knowledge of racing which they may say isn’t required.
Then add Chief Executive Mike Clement, a retired NZ Police Deputy Commissioner of 42 years service, and you have it all, at an estimated cost of $14 million for one year. Five years ago, in 2016, the Annual Report of NZRB listed the cost of the RIU at $5.8 million. In five seasons, that’s an increase of 240 percent.
In the same five years, the thoroughbred foal crop has dropped 30 percent, which on the face of it, says that this expansion of the RIU is a complete overkill. Is it a Government kneejerk reaction to a series of accusations made against the greyhound fraternity on animal welfare issues?
Back in April, Minister Robertson announced he was putting in place a review of animal welfare and safety in the greyhound racing industry. Robertson said, “I have informed Greyhound Racing NZ that I am not satisfied the recommendations are being implemented in a way that is improving animal welfare, and with their failure to provide sufficient information on changes they are making.”
Sir Bruce Robertson led the review
Minister Robertson appointed Sir Bruce Robertson to lead the review, which was supposed to be completed by August 1st. As at August 23rd, nothing has been released, but it was very clear in April that the Government was most unhappy with the greyhound people led by recalcitrant CEO Glenda Hughes who failed to act upon a request for regular progress reports.
The Government press statement released jointly by Minister Robertson and Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri didn’t mince words.
“It is the responsibility of the industry to hold itself accountable and ensure the best possible standards of welfare for greyhounds. Should the review show that progress has not been sufficient, a further fundamental look at the greyhound racing industry may be required,” Grant Robertson said.
If that wasn’t a clear enough warning, Whaitiri said, “I had written to Greyhound Racing New Zealand suggesting that they may wish to continue regular progress reporting on the recommendations from the Hansen Report. That suggestion was not acted on and this review will now address these matters.”
Attitudinal issues at Greyhound Racing NZ
Attitudinal issues at Greyhound Racing NZ also resulted in the code having no representatives on the board of TAB NZ. The code nomination (Stephen Henry) was unacceptable to the Minister, and when asked to submit a new nomination, they resubmitted the same name, as did Harness Racing NZ (Shaun Brooks). Both codes dug a hole for themselves to advance an argument they were never going to win.
The unknown cost of the new Racing New Zealand Board which is in the process of having two independent directors appointed, likely to be mercenary graduates from the Institute of Directors, will add more strain to industry finances.
Then add the cost of the new position of Chief Operating Officer as 2IC to Bernard Saundry and, all things considered, this racing industry is carrying on as though it’s the 1980s and all is well, and they’re printing money like the Government.
When the stake increases were announced by Bernard Saundry in July, he carried on as though we’d all won Lotto, and we should all be so grateful.
Spin doctor Bernard Saundry
Saundry said, “What a difference a year makes. Obviously, the owners will be the main beneficiaries. All levels will benefit. Of course, NZTR cannot take all the credit for the latest stake increases. There has been a concerted effort across the industry to reduce costs and we must acknowledge the substantial cost reductions achieved by TAB NZ”
Bernard, what planet did you come from? If you owned a few racehorses, you might come to your senses. The reality is the financial viability of the racing business is in freefall. You are right about a year making a difference – every year we fall further behind as the ratio of costs against potential returns worsens.
But you are also right about owners being the beneficiaries – that’s because they’re soon all heading to the dole queue at WINZ to get the benefit. And as for NZTR taking credit for the increases, there is no credit for you to take. You have put a paltry $2.2 million into the minimum stake to get it to $12,000, which is pathetic. Most of the NZTR board were against putting any money into the minimum because they wanted it all in the middle and top.
Every owner has to take their horse through the maiden and R65 class
Every owner has to take their horse through the maiden and R65 class to get to the middle and top to stay alive in the ownership game. If you don’t feed the troops, you will have an army running on empty stomachs and losing the battle. What is it about understanding the fundamentals of racing that administrators in this country have lacked for decades?
All the added costs outlined above will virtually wipe out the $13 million Winston Peters got back with the two per cent betting levy in the 2020 budget. The $20 million we are supposedly getting back from ‘racefields’ or Betting Information User Charges has only made up for the shortfall in other areas, and the stake increases as mentioned above only apply between September and April and are three-monthly reviewable.
In review, what we now have in New Zealand racing is not dissimilar to what happened 16 years ago when Winston Peters in his first term as Racing Minister was able to help the industry by signing off the free tax rebate. It was worth $33 million to racing in the first year and recurred annually with incremental increases to the extent that it’s worth double that today.
NZRB grabbed most of the money for themselves
The problem was that from 2005, NZRB grabbed most of the money for themselves instead of it coming back to owners in stakes. For the next 12 years, NZRB expanded at a rate of knots, and the wages bill went from $27 million to $66 million (+149%). For the same period, stakes rose by only 51 percent. Racing became the punching bag for the Government of the day.
Well, it’s groundhog day. As soon as they’ve gathered some extra dollars again, it’s redirected elsewhere. It is sad to say that many racing administrators today don’t believe that pumping as much money into stakes as possible will enhance the industry – they apparently have learned nothing from Australia.
My figures say the foal crop will be down 14 percent this spring which can also be used as a barometer for ownership. In Australia, 63 percent of owners are breeders, and one would expect the stat would be similar in New Zealand.
Those lines on the graph will continue to decline in unison unless our spin doctor administrators recognise the reality of the industry’s demise and take drastic and positive action with a remedy plan. If they can’t, they should all resign.
Whatever way you look at it, the three codes and all subsidiary boards, and heavy-handed Government control, have taken this racing industry into a deeper state of the serious malaise described in the Messara Review three years ago.
Albert Einstein summed up the situation best a little longer than three years ago when he said:
“There are only two things that are infinite – the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the universe.”
In my many years in racing I have accumulated a good knowledge of racing in many countries of the world, and I can say that without a shadow of doubt racing in NZ is the straightest and most honest in the world. I would have seen more non-triers in an afternoon in Britain than I would see in a season in this country. So why the heck do we require so many exhorbitantly paid people on the Integrity Unit that are manifestly unsuited to the task, when three competent stipes with racing nous could do the job properly at a tenth of the cost overseen, perhaps, by a legal eagle.
Every time I study the fields across the ditch I see familiar names from NZ – owners, trainer, jockeys &c. all of whom can see a ship when it is still sinking as indeed is racing’s ship.
So good people, especially you younger ones that have not gone to Oz – when are you going to act to do something about it. Make no mistake we will be lucky to have racing in a decade’s time.
Cameron George has never shown any class and comes across as an arrogant ego driven piece of work. No surprise his gutter class has never improved. You wouldn’t buy a used car from him and he chairs NZTR unbelievable. The Industry sadly won’t ever get back on track.
The
The COVID 19 virus and present and recent administration of NZ Racing Industry both have one thing in common they know how to &$&& and destroy anything they touch.
Lockdown helps to keep COVID at bay to improve the situation maybe the Racing Industry should adopt that approach on its Administration.
Pertinent comments from John above.
Ridiculous costs – again – with Integrity and Racing NZ sucking yet more out of the sponge. Why we needed yet another tier of management in Racing NZ, god only knows.
As for C. George, words fail me. He has been exhibiting a lack of personal class and a penchant for conflicts of interest for as long as he has been involved in NZ racing.
How he came to assume his present position on the Board of NZTR is astounding. Is our pool of talent so shallow ?
Shaun Clotworthy has his work cut out for sure, because apathy and sycophancy have been rife in the NZTA for a good while now, and I fear – along with many – that there isn’t much left to resurrect.
Certainly a sad state of affairs all round apart from Shaun being the bright light
Absolutley gutted at the arrogance shown by Cameron George…. You couldn’t have a better person than Shaun Clotworthy heading the Trainers…Has been in the Industry since he was born, well educated, a Qualified Accountant and good trainer in partnership with his wife, actually trains for me and a good communicator….. He would have more ideas how to run a successful ship than C.George ever will….. I for one have been in this Industry as an Owner/Breeder/Racing Administrator/Agistment Farm Co-Owner since the early 1970’s and currently “trying” to make a living to pay my Trainers/Stud Fees etc…Will definately be reducing my involvement from hereon in..
Getting my head around structure and costs (using your figures)
NZRB (now TAB NZ) $66mill
RIU (now a Government department?) $15mill
NZTR (incl Studbook) $4mill
Racing NZ – isn’t it just a board of industry reps, linking the 3 codes to TAB NZ? What does it cost?
One of the reasons stakes don’t progress like they should-and next to Australia they are an embarrassment, hence the gradual move of so many of our talented horse people-is the cost of administration in what should be a fairly simple industry in organisational terms. But we underrate the power of the trough sniffers to find new ways to aid their immediate security. And we waste too much money on admin by listening to people whose voices are often drowned in the noise their axe grinding is making.
One of our best examples was the JCA a system devised by lawyers for lawyers, retired policemen and stipendiary stewards etc.
It has cost a small fortune.For what ? The majority of raceday charges are piffillingly small. Nearly all the driving /riding charges can be resolved by simply looking at the video and many of them are not even contested with any strength. The fines issued for minor offences are often no more than a parking ticket these days didn’t go near to justifying the cost of the system. Some smart drivers and jockeys loved it of course because they could influence the softer hearted/more ignorant on the committee it was all a misunderstanding where less verbally able horsemen were at a severe disadvantage compared to convincing a professional stipe.
All we needed was stipes running the meeting dealing with the racing and an outside chairman available for any more serious matter or a later hearing.
Instead stipes are left frustrated, sometimes declining to proceed because they know they will lose. I don’t blame them but they could be more active.
The RIU used to publish monthly reports on these panels which originally had three members for all meetings . Their fines never came close to justifying their existence outside lawyers quibbling over finer points.
Now we have a Racing Minister who is indulging the trough hunters again. And we think $40,000 minimums on a Premier day are terrific. We have plenty of horses because we are paying them to start but we have a decreasing list of big owners with the wallets to lift our racing game and the quality of our racing has slipped. Mares breaking G1 winning records is a sign of the times not necessarily of greatness. Most of the top males are sold to allow owners to survive.
There has to be a better way
The actions of George are of a thug and a bully .He is meant to represent stakeholder. But he makes personal insulting comments at BOARD LEVEL .About a person who has been elected to represent a very important group of Stakeholders .it looks like a scene from the GODFATHER .Instead of a Board running a 1 billon dollar Industry .
From the minute Cameron George became involved in the racing industry in NZ he commenced to make a fool of himself and cause grief to the industry. He is a loud mouthed fool and this latest out burst is totally unacceptable. If NZTR board don’t have a vote of no confidence in him and get rid of him they are presumably tarred with the same brush . A loud mouthed fool chairing a meeting and not being called to task by the committee indicates to me the committee don’t care about our industry. Grow some balls or get out. GET RID OF CAMERON GEORGE NOW.
Its really like the Titanic slowly sinking,I wish this imbecile George was the standing on the bow.,he’s a world wide embarrassment to the NZ industry.
The appointments are jobs for the boys ,not knowledge or experience based.
How if who would in their right mind appointment this Aussie trash to head our NZ industry.
I have been in the industry for 40 years but made a decision some years ago to move most of our stock off shore.
I feel very sorry for any inspirational young trainer or stud person entering the industry here to be guided by this captain at the helm like our horses NZ it is only a breaking in location.
We as an industry need a vote of no confidence in the Aussie scum.
Hes a Typical Aussie Motormouth he thinks is hes the big man as CEO of the Warriors and now his Motormouth has got him in the shit with being head of NZTR …Step down from both and just slowly go back to Aussie and disappear into the wilderness
“Cameron George made a series of disparaging remarks about Shaun and his appointment – overheard by all in earshot, including Shaun Clotworthy”
Why not hold CG accountable – his ’cause’ insults to embarrass another.
Surely we’re ‘woke’ , where that behaviour is not?
Corrupted best Shaun gather the troops and run this sport as the sport of kings 1st off thoroughbreds need our own trackside funded by its audience in advertising behind the race start I’ve shown them what the corporate world is willing to pay for the space at every race start and they now cover it up with words ps dumb people
The. Time. Has. Come. Brian de Lore for. N. Z. T. R. Board. Let us use this experience and drive to help reconstruct what was our wonderfull industry and sport. The opportunity is NOW!!
Well said and written Brian.
These comments are my personal view and nothing to do with our club.
Sorry that Shaun Clotworthy had to ensure this personal attack. He is one very educated and smart operator! Others could take take a leaf out of his book!
Jan Skinner
To me the derogatory comments made by Mr Cameron George re Mr Shaun Clotworthy are disgraceful–its a case like he’s been caught redhanded–how embarrassing. I was brought up and taught, better to perform one job well than two half pie and applying that to Mr Georges roles and largely being based in Australia I would wonder if even ONE of the roles are being performed even HALF pie. Best advice move over and let real credentialled people administer.
Keep up the good work Brian.
Norm Withers.
Racing New Zealand gone gone.
Brian very disappointing to here those comments made by Cameron George. For
What reason would he make them.
Why wouldn’t he be happy to work with mr clotworthy.
Obviously this will be in the background and may hamper progress unfortunately for the code.
Could you enlighten me if you can please on how many people put their name forward for nztr chairman.
And was there a panel of 3 who selected the candidate.
I have met Cameron George and he came across pretty arrogant ,that was back in 2012 when on the r.i.u. but I don’t know mr clotworthy .
You made comment about putting 2k into maiden stakes as an insult, I agree.
With costs getting out of control compared to returns would it be more appropriate to put a 30k + maiden on every week in the north and south island somewhere for example just to give owners hope that they can get some of their money back or more.
I know in the harness game on a 5k service by the time you get your progeny to 3y of age to a workout and using professional horse people to do all the work you would be out of pocket 22k minimum. With stakes at around 5k to the winning owner why would you start and a lot of service fees are way more expensive than 5k.
So I am lead to believe that costs are ×2 or 3 of harness so the owner really needs to be getting a 30k cheque back if his maiden is good enough in thoroughbreds.
If an owner can see that he can get out of his costs in 1 or 2 starts he will invest on hope that this is the one. But you wouldn’t by a lottery ticket if top prize was 12k would you.
I consider Mr George’s comments to be an act which brings thoroughbred racing into disrepute.
I’m fairly sure there is a Rule of Racing which says that any act which brings Racing into disrepute is an offence against the Rules. It might even disqualify him from his position as Chair of NZTR Inc.
It would be helpful if the Racing Integrity Unit will clarify this matter for us.
Hi guess I owe Mr Cameron an apology for my knee jerk reaction to his rant and abusive tone of delivery and another statement of incompetence and lack of understanding of the industry and its fight for survival . Could someone post a copy here so that we can all keep replaying it .
I guess if someone came waving a big salary at me guaranteed for 3 years, like him I would take it, no accountability whether I had the ability to do the job or not, it doesn’t seem to be relevant in this industry , his term will no doubt run for 3 years and like others before him the damage will be done and he will have moved on.
I wonder where we would be if this was a publicly listed company or privately owned ? and how many of these people would struggle for a job. Please don,t say all!! A degree from an obscure university or a pal in the know seems to be the the way up .don,t come with experience as a successful owner or breeder or administrator. these attributes are not required.
The costs involved in paying this administration the TAB and the network of trough guzzlers is at the determent of owners past and future. Have a look at our pathetic stakes, have a look at most of our facilities have a look at the age group of people in racing club committee rooms or listed as owners who own more than 1% of a horse . How many times do you see a racing article in the newspaper or on a T,V news bulletin.? except track side .The industry will never get back to were it was when I first started attending now over 50 years ago. I have taken millions out and put millions in ,
I treat it like any public company that we are shareholders in and move or reduce our stake holding accordingly , 10 mares down to 1, most race horses that show potential either sold or sent to Australia, I cant interest my children or my grandchildren in a sinking rubber duck , and our involvement is slowly coming to an end .
A vote of thanks George Cameron , when I doubt my own direction or decisions I just need to remind myself of the Captaincy .
Hi Optimists,
I use to be one of you , but not anymore.
Unless the useless back and forth conversations that I read since following Brian,s forum over the last 18 months, change to action , then you all might as well climb back under the rock you came from.
All letters from well meaning people, but I see you as pen and paper , not worth the paper its written on.
Just talk .
Covid stuffed us , not as you think.
We were on the verge of a great victory in the return in control of industry through bankuptcy , and bugger ,the government bail out and now they own us.
They own the media, our speech, farms and farmers etc
So Brian, you have attracted us the your platform with your knowledge and protests , what do you suggest we do
Cameron George has to go – now. Blind Freddy can see that the Board of NZTR and the executive team are being stacked with his yes men. With no real debate at those senior management levels between people who really know what they are talking about, it will be the misguided belligerent and knee jerk reactions of CG that will inflict further irrepairable damage to OUR sport/industry.
I’m not sure if anyone noticed the breathtaking irony when in a recent publicly released NZTR document, NZTR blamed the the amateur management and administration (“volunteers”) of racing clubs for the current state of the industry. These are the people that, for the good of the industry (and not their own pockets) voluntarily give their time and energy to support this great sport/industry – and this is the recognition they get for the efforts by NZTR. In my relatively brief experience in this sport/industry these people have been the backbone of the industry. In fact the decline in industry fortunes has been well orchestrated by those “professionals” who have constructed a bureaucratic empire that, like all empires, will eventually suck the lifeblood out of the industry. Seems like the best way to really stuff things up properly is to pay exorbitant TEC (total employment cost) remuneration to a raft of snouts-in-trough part timers who will not be around to answer for failure of “their way of thinking”. BTW has anyone seen what the TEC is for the newly appointed COO? If the CEO TEC is anything to go by you will need a pole vault to get over it.
In terms of what can be done maybe:
– write to NZTR with your views
– write to your local MP
– write to the Minister
– write to your local newspaper
– clubs should keep their members abreast of the what is going on and if considered appropriate pass resolutions about NZTR’s governance
Just another thought – everyone will be aware that TAB turnover over the last 12 months (the COVID era) or so is up around 20%. This would indicate that there is most likely something driving the increase in turnover that owe nothing to NZTR’s reform agenda. Wouldn’t you think NZTR would be taking a long hard look at what caused this renewed interest by the punting public and maybe change “their way of thinking”??
( popcorn required ) – https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=219400719548796&ref=watch_permalink