Straight Up – Horses or business

When Mark Newnham upped sticks and packed up for Hong Kong last year, many would have assumed it was all about the money.

Hong Kong has long been known as a place where Australia’s best trainers can not only further their reputation but also bolster their superannuation given the rich prizemoney on offer in a jurisdiction that, at most, races twice a week.

Newnham has always been willing to be generous with his time, and that proved the case as he had an extended chat with The Straight’s Warwick Barr this week.

What emerged from it was a sense that while he is 7000km from his hometown of Sydney, he has never been closer in his training career to the horseman he wants to become.

So much of the day-to-day business of running a stable is taken care of by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and that has allowed Newnham to focus on what he feels he does best, working with his horses.

While Hong Kong is renowned as a competitive training landscape, he doesn’t miss his old life of having to compete with Australia’s mega-stables.

A true horseman – How Mark Newnham left Australia behind to rediscover his true calling

For the second time in less than a decade, Mark Newnham is building a stable from scratch but he wouldn’t have it any other way as he settles into life as a Hong Kong trainer.

The StraightWarwick Barr

Our other feature interview this week is with Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones, who remains focussed on ‘dividing the pie’ when it comes to the industry’s spoils, but has also done his fair share of dividing opinion in his 18 months in charge.

A polar opposite to Newnham, Jones would admit he is anything but a horseman, but he certainly has the business skills to oversee a $1 billion industry in one of Australia’s biggest racing jurisdictions.

However, his relationship with key participants has been fractious and some key figures want him – and a few of his executives – out of the job ASAP and replaced by people with greater racing industry experience.

Racing politics can be brutal, but Jones does not seem bruised by the way he is perceived by his critics. For right or for wrong, he remains undeterred in his task of guiding Racing Victoria through a wagering and revenue downturn.

The great divider – Andrew Jones undeterred as he pilots Racing Victoria through leaner times

Despite calls for his resignation, Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones is determined to do the job on his own terms.

The StraightBren O’Brien

It has been less than two months since The Straight launched and we’ve already written multiple stories about the febrile political environment within the Victorian racing industry. While Jones remains ‘sanguine’ about his position, it would appear things might get worse before they get better.

Victorian racing in open warfare as Munz calls for RV CEO Jones to be sacked

The long disquiet within the Victorian racing industry has erupted into outright warfare after Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association (TROA) Chairman Jonathan Munz’s call for Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones to be sacked.

The StraightBren O’Brien

Racing Victoria leadership void stretches on as Hirst gets extra term

Approaching six months without a permanent chairman, Racing Victoria has extended the board term of acting chair Mike Hirst.

The StraightBren O’Brien

Problems, not solutions emerge from RV talkfest

This week’s ‘strategy’ meeting in Melbourne has not convinced participants that Racing Victoria will engage with their concerns.

The StraightBren O’Brien

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Regards

Bren O’Brien, Managing Editor and Founder

The Straight