KEY POINTS:
Nigel Tiley has had many roles in the racing industry he loves.
He was a leading rider in New Zealand.
Then a top jockey in Sydney and Hong Kong.
And when he decided to retire and took up training at Karaka, outside Auckland, he produced NZ Derby winner Look Who's Talking in his first season.
More recently, after giving up training, he has managed the New Zealand Equine Influenza quarantine station in Auckland.
Next week Tiley takes over yet another new position - troubleshooter for Majestic Horse Transport's principal John Kenny.
Majestic, long the No 1 thoroughbred transporter in New Zealand, recently took over Inter-Island Horse Transport, which held a similar role in harness racing circles.
John Kenny sees the need for an experienced manager for the much larger operation.
"Nigel has vast experience dealing with all levels of the horse industry and that will be invaluable," says Kenny. "We've mixed cultures in merging the two companies and it's crucial we have someone with a hands-on approach to our clients."
"Nigel will be our marketing manager and responsible for liaison with the transport managers."
Tiley is well skilled for the customer service focus of the new position after riding at the top level for many leading stables throughout the Pacific.
"I'm actually looking forward to this," Tiley said yesterday while meeting many harness figures for the first time at the PGG Wrightson standardbred yearling sales in Christchurch.
"This [horse transport] is a massive operation now and it's crucial it runs smoothly. The racing culture is the same wherever you go."
Tiley is keeping close tabs on the $2.2 million Telecom Derby on Saturday week, somewhat regretful the stakemoney was not quite at that level when he won the Ellerslie classic.
He fancies Great Northern Guineas winner Le Baron and last-start winner Jungle Boots as the pair to beat.
"They're clearly very smart young horses."
