About NZTA
The NZ Trainers’ Association was formed in 1975 with the undertaking to encourage, promote and advance the interests of racehorse trainers and to deal with all matters conducive to the advancement of racing in general.
The NZ Trainers’ Association is made up of five regional branches: Northern, Central Districts, Canterbury-Westland, Southland and the sub-branch of Otago.
Regional matters are managed by the relevant Branch President in conjunction with the Executive Officer if deemed necessary, while national issues are handled by the National President and Executive Officer.
NZTA represents racehorse trainers to ensure members’ interests are considered including:
- Constant liaison with the NZTR – Rules of Racing, Handicapping, Tracks, Licensing….
- Lobbying on major issues e.g. Racing Board, ACC, Health & Safety requirements, stakes, employment and skill shortages…
As a recognised racing industry organisation, the NZTA is invited to make submissions on those issues that may affect its members. Members are kept informed of current events affecting them via monthly newsletters, Website updated weekly, Facebook updated daily and page in the Racing Programme Guide mailed monthly by NZTR.
VIEW ARCHIVES
EXECUTIVE
National President
Shaun Clotworthy
Executive Officer
Wendy Cooper
National Vice President North Island
Moira Murdoch
National Vice President South Island
Michael Pitman
BRANCH REPRESENTATION
Northern Branch President: Robert Wellwood
CD Branch President: Gary Vile
Canterbury Branch President: Kezia Murphy
Southland Branch President: Sally MacKay
Otago Sub-Branch Executive Delegate: Jim Burns
Click here for link to full Branch Directory with Executive, Track & Programming Representatives included
TRAINERS' AWARDS
TRAINERS' PREMIERSHIP
The Trainers' Premiership is awarded to the trainer or training partnership that has won the most races in New Zealand in a season.
TRAINER OF THE YEAR - sponsored by Dunstan Horsefeeds
The Trainer of the Year - sponsored by Dunstan Horsefeeds is based on a season's results with the Finalist criteria:
a. The New Zealand-domiciled Trainer with the most Group and Listed wins.
b. The New Zealand-domiciled Trainer with the most prizemoney won.
c. New Zealand-domiciled NZ Trainers’ Premiership Winner.
d. Not more than two nominees nominated by the NZTA from outside of the above
finalists.
Finalists in categories (a) and (b) must have won these races and earned the prizemoney with
horses trained by a person holding a New Zealand licence for the season under review and must
have been stabled in New Zealand with his/her trainer at any time in that season or have raced
in New Zealand at least once in the season under review. Licensed trainers, Permit-to-train
licence holders and Owner-trainer licence holders are eligible for nomination.
NEWCOMER TO TRAINING sponsored by gavelhouse.com
From 1st August 2025, to be eligible, a trainer must:
- Hold a current New Zealand trainer’s licence in their own right (not in a training partnership) for the season.
- Not have held a thoroughbred trainer’s licence (in any jurisdiction) for more than five racing seasons in total.
- Note: A “racing season” is defined as 1 August to 31 July.
- Licences held whilst in training partnerships are counted toward the five-season total.
- Not have previously won the Newcomer to Training Award.
Notes:
- Time spent licensed in other countries does count toward the five-season maximum.
- Eligibility is based on the total number of seasons a licence has been held, not calendar years or breaks in training.
The winner of the Newcomer to Training is based on the number of individual winners (not total wins) in a season.