New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has announced the appointment of long-time SkyCity executive Matt Ballesty as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Ballesty, who has also worked with Australia’s Crown Resorts and with Macau’s Melco-Crown during its formative years, will officially start in the new role from 5 March 2025.
“This is a homecoming,” said Ballesty. “I’ve been passionate about racing for a long time as both an enthusiast and an owner and I can’t wait to get stuck into the hard work of further developing thoroughbred racing in New Zealand.”
NZTR Chair Russell Warwick explained that Ballesty’s unique skill set makes him ideal to lead the organization.
“The racing industry is going through a period of significant change and Matt is the perfect candidate to ensure that every person contributing to the industry continues to play a key role in the future,” Warwick said.
“This appointment is about securing the legacy of the racing industry in the long term. We could not be happier to have someone of Matt’s calibre holding the reins at this critical point.”
Having most recently worked as an industry consultant across Asia-Pacific, Ballesty previously spent more than nine years with SkyCity Entertainment Group, including as Chief Casino Officer until his July 2022 departure.
Prior to that he was part of the Crown Resorts team exploring expansion opportunities in Sri Lanka and Canada, and from 2006 to 2009 served as General Manager Casino Operations at Altira – Melco-Crown’s original Macau property.
“The success of the racing industry has always been built on the hard work done at a grassroots level by generations of Kiwis,” Ballesty said of his latest role.
“What excites me most is the opportunity to meet the people around the country who contribute to making the racing industry what it is today. Everyone from the breeders, trainers, owners and jockeys, right through to the clubs, play a critical role in creating a vibrant community and sport that continues to excel on the global stage.”
