The administrative body for the thoroughbred code, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, are preparing for a return to racing once the alert level 4 restrictions of Covid-19 are repealed.
The major code in a $1.6 billion industry that sustains 14,398 fulltime equivalent jobs across the nation and in excess of 58,100 individuals who participate in the New Zealand racing industry as employees, participants or volunteers, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) have recognised the need to make changes to ensure the industry remains viable.
"The New Zealand racing industry, like many businesses, faces critical challenges as a consequence of Covid-19," New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Bernard Saundry says.
"The NZTR board has met regularly over the past two weeks discussing the lockdown, the economic and social impacts, what cuts we can make, and how do we return to racing.
"There has been significant work undertaken by an industry working group around what format a return to racing might take."