New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has announced the appointment of Matt Ballesty as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective March 5th, 2025.
NZTR is the governing body for thoroughbred horse racing in New Zealand and it oversees and regulates the sport.
Ballesty, a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in high-performance leadership and strategic commercial development, is set to lead the organization during a transformative period for the racing industry.
“This is a homecoming,” Ballesty remarked about his new role. “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 brings significant international experience to NZTR, having held senior executive positions across Australia, Macau, and Canada. This includes a nine-year role as Chief Casino Officer for SkyCity Entertainment Group and more than three years as General Manager of Casino Operations for Altira, in Macau.
He is a New Zealand-Australian citizen and has also studied at the New Zealand Institute of Directors, previously serving as a board member with Heart of the City Auckland.
NZTR Chair Russell Warwick expressed confidence in Ballesty’s ability to navigate the industry’s challenges.
“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,” Warwick stated. “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 caliber holding the reins at this critical point.”
