Photo: Supplied
This month’s BetaVet Under The Radar features Leigh Phelan, Marketing Coordinator at NZTR and a lifelong contributor to the racing industry.
Explain your role and who you work for
I work at New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing as the Marketing Coordinator, with a primary focus on managing our social media channels and content strategies. Before stepping into this role, I spent five years as a content creator for LOVERACING.NZ.
What is a typical day for you?
I’m still relatively new to this role, having only joining the team back in December. Our main goal is to promote New Zealand thoroughbred racing, and our activities vary depending on the racing calendar. Different times of the year bring different campaigns, such as The Grand Tour during our premier racedays, aimed at encouraging 18–35-year-olds to experience a day at the races in a fresh, exciting way.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Getting to promote an industry I love is the highlight. Being able to combine my passion for thoroughbreds with my career is very rewarding.
What are some of the difficulties your role can face? If any.
One of the main challenges is managing negative feedback on social media. It's easy for people to forget there are real individuals behind the accounts who see and read every comment. Another challenge is that social media is constantly evolving - trends change rapidly, and staying ahead of those trends, while also keeping pace with the fast-moving world of racing, can be demanding. Additionally, our core demographic doesn’t always recognise the critical role social media plays in growing and promoting the sport.
Are you involved in the industry in other ways?
I was very fortunate to be born and raised in the industry, being around the horses, riding and heading along to the races was always encouraged from a young age. I currently ride trackwork for Colm Murray and Shaune Ritchie which keeps me involved in a very hands-on way. I’ve also ridden as an amateur jockey and owned a couple horses too.
What do you love about the thoroughbred industry and why should someone get involved at any level?
I’ve had a lifelong love for thoroughbreds, so being able to work in a role that revolves around them feels like a privilege. There are so many different avenues, there’s truly something for everyone in this industry, even for those who have never touched a horse in their life can become involved.
