George Simon: Looking back and forward to start the season
George Simon • August 4th, 2025 3:10 PM • 4 min read
Sometimes you have to look back to go forward.
I'm reminded of that every August with the start of the new racing season.
Being a typical racing tragic, I always find myself eagerly anticipating the next 12 months.
I'm excited by the prospect of experiencing the full gamut of the emotional rollercoaster that is part and parcel of any racing season.
Being an eternal optimist means I always try to start each new season with a blank page outlook.
However, there are some pressing issues that need to be addressed, sooner rather than later.
Last season we saw what could happen if we don't address these issues.
The shock announcement of the impending demise of Greyhound racing caught many by surprise.
It is the most glaring example of what can happen if we overlook our responsibilities.
Abandonments due to unsafe or inadequately prepared racetracks throughout the season sorely tested the patience of industry participants.
My personal "favourite" is our uncanny ability to air our laundry in public.
I'm not saying to naively sweep everything under the carpet. Far from it.
What I am suggesting is a co-ordinated approach to settling any issues, free of agenda-driven decisions and with the best interests of the industry at heart.
Not exactly ground breaking stuff as we've heard it all before.
Easier said than done though.
Enough of the gloom and doom already!
From my perspective there was an obvious standout highlight of 2024/25 season.
Champions Day at Ellerslie in March was, by every metric, a resounding success.
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing and NZTR put all their eggs in one basket programming four Group One races as well as the inaugural running of the NZB Kiwi on the day.
Despite the doomsayers bemoaning another sweepstake concept race, the NZB Kiwi captivated not only the racing community but importantly the mainstream sporting public as well.
The huge promotional emphasis on the NZB Kiwi across mainstream television and the myriad of social network platforms, put NZ racing back into the sporting public consciousness.
The ramifications of the significance of that achievement, cannot be underestimated.
It was the best day of racing I have ever experienced on a NZ racecourse.
It was new territory for me as a race caller too.
Usually after calling a couple of Group One races on any given day I'd be looking forward to a cold one to help unwind after a big day.
I remember calling the first two Group One races on the day and thinking to myself I can relax a little now.
No such luck.
I still had two more Group One races to call, including the Trackside NZ Derby.
As a race caller it was exciting and, to be honest, a little daunting to be involved.
I'm sure the same applied to everyone who was fortunate to have an involvement on the day.
Whatever your involvement, the opportunity to compete against the very best is surely what being involved in racing is all about.
Good luck for 2025/26!
