Brad Taylor heading home to join RACE

Media Release - Tuesday January 30

The New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing administration ranks will receive an injection of youth and enthusiasm in April with the addition of Brad Taylor to the RACE team.

Taylor has enjoyed nearly seven years as the racing manager for Freedman Racing in Melbourne, but felt it was the right time to return to New Zealand and take up a new opportunity as General Manager of Racing with Race, the operator of Awapuni and Trentham racecourses.

Brad Taylor will return to New Zealand to take up the role of General Manager of Racing with Race.   Photo: Angelique Bridson

“I am looking forward to the opportunity, it is going to be a good challenge,” Taylor said. “New Zealand racing is going the right way at the moment with the recent announcements and prizemoney increases, and this is the next stage of my career.

“I have been the racing manager for Anthony and Sam Freedman for a number of years now and enjoyed great success. I have got no interest in training, and administration is where I always wanted to go.

“When this opportunity presented itself, it was a good opportunity to get home and be closer to family. We have a young family that is growing up quickly. We have got two kids, Pippa was four yesterday and Luke is two, so it will be nice to get them home and settled in before Pippa starts school next year.

“Jayne’s (Ivil, partner) family are from Palmy and mine are from Dunedin, so we will be a  lot closer to everyone.”

While set to oversee racing operations at Trentham and Awapuni from his Palmerston North base, Taylor said his role will also incorporate Hastings.

“They are three great tracks that host some of New Zealand’s biggest racing carnivals, so I am looking forward to the challenge,” he said.

Taylor has enjoyed a lot of success in Melbourne with Freedman Racing, but rates Without A Fight’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) and Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) double last year as the clear highlight.

Advertisement

“Nothing beats the spring we have had,” he said. “To be a part of a Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup winner, growing up those are the races you dream of being a part of, and to have a small part in the team to win like that was incredible.

“There has been a lot of success with Anthony and Sam. They are right up there with the best trainers in Victoria, without having a huge team. I will always be indebted to them for the opportunity they have given me. It has been great to be a part of their journey.

“I have learnt a lot over here and I am looking forward to hopefully add a little bit of difference to New Zealand and build on what is there already.”

The move back to New Zealand will also mean Taylor’s partner, Jayne Ivil, will leave her presenting role with Racing.com.

“She has built a wonderful profile while over here and hopefully we can find something for her in New Zealand, I am sure there will be a few offers,” Taylor said.

Taylor said he will miss many aspects of Melbourne, but he is looking forward to the next stage of his life back in New Zealand.

“I will certainly miss Melbourne, and what Melbourne has to offer, but I am looking forward to getting home and getting stuck into the new job,” he said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Kiwi Stayer Chasing Melbourne Cup Golden Ticket
Wolfgang, who races as Mister Wolfgang in Australia, will get his first opportunity to earn a golden ticket into the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) when he heads to Flemington on Saturday.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
She's Unusual Keeps Good Times Rolling
Continued success with resident stallion Unusual Suspect and their racing team has kept Nigel and Adaire Auret busier than they may have envisaged, but without any complaints.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Monday September 29
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Youngsters Impress Leading into Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale
The build up to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale has intensified with a swag of impressive breeze up performances over the past week.