Racetrack Support - NZ

14/11/2025

New Zealand Cup Day is always a huge day — and I’m so grateful for the team that comes with me.
Every year I’ve got a crew of about ten amazing people from The Salvation Army who give their whole day to serving the racegoers. While I’m doing my usual chaplaincy work, they’re out cooking free sausages and pancakes, handing out water, offering lollies, and just being a friendly presence around the course.

They’re the ones quietly making sure people have something in their stomachs, helping anyone who needs a plaster for new-shoe blisters, and spreading a bit of kindness in the middle of all the Cup Day noise and colour.

I really love and honour this team — they show what practical care looks like, and I couldn’t do days like this without them.

14/11/2025

A meaningful moment at the track today.
Over the last few weeks I’ve felt that it could be good to begin our race days with a simple prayer for safety and blessing.

So this morning, on New Zealand Cup Day, I paused with just a few people — a couple of jockeys and one of the stable hands — and offered a short prayer for their safety, for everyone on course, and even for the weather with that dodgy forecast.

It’s not something chaplains usually get to do in New Zealand, but it was special to speak a blessing over the people who make this industry what it is.

01/08/2025

🐎 Racing Community — You’re Invited 🐎

This Sunday at 10:45am, St Peter’s Anglican Church in Yaldhurst is hosting its annual Racing Service, held on the first Sunday of Grand National Week.

We’ll be blessing the colours, hearing a story of hope with a 'racing twist', and taking a moment to reflect before the racing season really gets going. Whether faith is your thing or not, this is a relaxed, welcoming space where the industry comes together.

📍 St Peter’s Anglican Church - 23 Yaldhurst Road

I’ll be speaking this year as part of the service — it’s always a real privilege to share with the racing community in this way. No pressure, no dress code — just a warm welcome and a space to pause before the big day of Grand National.

09/07/2025

Absolutely devastated by the heartbreaking loss of Ngakau Hailey—a truly awesome young man who meant so much to so many.

A bright light in the racing world—full of energy, kindness, cheek, and heart.

Love and prayers going to his friends, his whānau, and by everyone across the industry over the coming days.

This kind of loss shakes us—it hurts deeply. It reminds us how fragile life is, and how quickly things can change.

Check in with your mates. And if you’re struggling, or even if you just need someone to sit with you, reach out anytime, That’s what I’m here for.

Ngakau, your name means “heart,” and you truly lived up to that. You’ll never be forgotten.

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-support-ngakaus-family-through-this-traged-1?fbclid=IwY2xjawLbwLtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHuwNdlC5Sc9dnOCiz83f4c_-eDajFeD--KgxXwnhQIlv6-2KGrbBbzCwCna3_aem_owkRXCbm4-bu2oQz8vJDLg

Rest in Peace Ngakau

10/06/2025

02/05/2025

Giving this a re-share, even now I still sometimes get asked "what's a racing chaplain do?" Here's a bit of a look into what we do and why we do it

https://youtu.be/y0-CFSL1M5M?si=tVnSyk9tKbEqVCUH

19/11/2024

Hi all, it's been a rough few weeks for us an industry. We are saddened with news of the loss of Danny Champion over recent days.

Details for the memorial service for Danny is as follows:

2pm, Tuesday 26th November
Showgate lounge, Riccarton Park Racecourse

11/11/2024

The calm before the storm!

Cup day 2024

Letsssss goooooo!!!

10/11/2024

Hi team, some sad news to share, Amanda Higgins passed away peacefully on Friday. Please keep Stuart and their family in your thoughts and prayers over these coming days. Funeral details as follows:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19KabaJP2D/

Ashburton trainer Amanda Higgins sadly passed away on Friday morning.

Her funeral service will be held at Trott's Garden, 371 Racecourse Road R D 6, Ashburton. on Thursday at 1pm.

*

Photo: Banbury Lad with Amanda, left, husband and former jumps jockey Stuart and the gelding's owners after a win at Wingatui.

23/10/2024

For those asking for a link for the livestream for Jonathna Parkes' service today...

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Evwcq6AnDbdqaFKn/

The funeral service of Johnathan Parkes will be held Thursday (tomorrow) at 1pm in the Eulogy Lounge at the Wanganui Racecourse. Anyone unable to attend can view the service here: https://vimeo.com/event/974546/23528814a0

Our thoughts are with Johnathan's friends and family during this difficult time.

03/08/2024

Looking forward to preaching at the annual grand national week "racing service" at St. Peters Anglican Church at church corner.

Services times are 8am, 9.15am and 10.45am

Love to see you there!!

04/07/2024

Hi all,

Here's a link for the givealittle page for one of our racing families. They're a pretty incredible family going through some pretty tough stuff. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers and give if you can😊

Helping people in the racing industry in need.