NZTM Board
New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing's Board has five members representing key industry stakeholders, and an independent chairman. The Board meets at least six times a year.
Chris Weaver, Chairman
Following an eight-year tenure as Chief Executive of the Auckland Racing Club, Chris resigned in May 2012 to work full time on his growing personal business co-owned by his wife, holistic nutrition specialist, Dr Libby Weaver.
In his time at Auckland Racing Club, Chris transformed the business to be trading successfully and debt-free. He also oversaw the implementation of a property plan from which Ellerslie will derive a leasehold income for years to come.
Previously a Region Director for Lion Breweries, Chris brings a background in marketing and event promotion, as well as skills in corporate governance to the role of Chairman.
Greg Purcell, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing
Greg took up the position of Chief Executive of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing in January of 2011.
Prior to this he was the Managing Director of Equinox Consulting Services Pty Ltd in New South Wales, Australia - a company that specialises in providing strategic and business planning, business optimisation and project management services to the racing and wagering industries.
Over recent years Greg's clients have included Tabcorp, the New Zealand Racing Board, Harness Racing NSW and Greyhound Racing NSW.
Prior to this Greg held a number of senior management positions in the racing industry including Chief Executive of Racingcorp, Chief Executive of New South Wales Country Racing Council and a senior management position at the Australian Jockey Club.
Petrea Vela, New Zealand Bloodstock
A regular participant at NZTM Board meetings since joining New Zealand Bloodstock in 2003, Petrea was appointed as a director of NZTM in 2010.
Holding an LLB (Hons) degree from the London School of Economics, Petrea was a solicitor in the UK with Lawrence Graham before returning to join the family business, New Zealand Bloodstock. There she is Co-Managing Director with Andrew Seabrook and is charged with the Sales & Marketing functions of one of the world’s leading thoroughbred auction houses.
John Thompson, Representing the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Association
Joining the Board in 2009, John is the co-owner and Managing Director of Rich Hill Stud, an internationally renowned thoroughbred nursery located in the heart of the Waikato.
Graduating with a Degree in Agricultural Science from Massey University, John spent his early career days Dairy Farming, before following a family tradition into the Thoroughbred Breeding Industry.
John’ significant background within the industry includes overseas experience with time spent in stud farms around the world including Ireland, the UK and America.
Rodney Schick, Representing the NZTBA Studmasters' Branch
Rodney is the co-owner of Windsor Park Stud, one of New Zealand’s most successful equine nurseries, based in Cambridge, Waikato.
Rodney has worked all his life in the racing and breeding industry and before settling back at the home farm in 1997 had stints working in England, America and Australia.
Rodney rates Might and Power (NZ) as the best horse bred by Windsor Park Stud and labels the deeds of globe-trotting star So You Think (NZ), who was born and raised at Windsor Park, as being a special highlight.
Brent Gillovic, Representing the NZTBA Studmasters' Branch
Born into a racing family, Brent competed with success on the show circuit in his twenties, and rode trackwork for his grandfather, leading trainer the late Alex Cook, and internationally successful trainer Graeme Rogerson.
Brent currently holds a public trainer's licence and has a team of horses in work. He has managed Highview Stud since 1985 and joined the NZTM Board in August 2006.