As a proud sponsor of the NZTBA, Ardex Technology values every opportunity to highlight the businesses and people who make our industry stronger and we’re delighted to introduce our partner Stable Books. Stable Books provides services to specialist thoroughbred businesses, including (but not limited to) trainers, spellers, breakers and presale farms across New Zealand. By combining industry knowledge with trusted systems like Ardex, they help these businesses save time, save money and stay compliant.
What is Stable Books and what services do you provide?
“Stable Books is a specialist administration service dedicated to the thoroughbred racing & breeding industry, providing seamless and cost-effective support so clients can focus on producing winners. For thoroughbred breeders and studs, we handle everything behind the scenes, from registrations and compliance to financial management and payroll; using trusted systems such as Ardex, Xero, and MYOB Payroll. As industry insiders, we understand the unique demands of thoroughbred operations and offer flexible, tailored services that go beyond the standard 9–5, ensuring support is available whenever it’s needed. Based in Matamata, we work with trainers, pre-trainers, agistment farms, breakers, studs and breeders across New Zealand, offering smooth onboarding and reliable support through online, phone, or in-person channels. Our goal is to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and provide complete peace of mind.”
What common financial or administrative challenges do breeders face?
“Breeders in the thoroughbred industry often face complex and time-consuming financial and administrative challenges, which Stable Books is uniquely positioned to solve. These include managing irregular income and expense cycles, ensuring accurate and timely registrations, handling payroll for staff with non-standard hours, and maintaining compliance with industry regulations. Many breeders also struggle with staying on top of invoicing, reconciling accounts, and producing clear financial reports for their accountants or stakeholders. Our services reduce the risk of errors, save time, and improve financial clarity, allowing breeders to focus on running their operations while we handle the back-end work with minimal disruption.”
How do you tailor your services specifically for the thoroughbred industry compared to generic bookkeeping services?
“At Stable Books, we tailor our services specifically for the thoroughbred industry by combining deep industry knowledge with specialised tools and processes that go far beyond what generic bookkeeping services can offer. Unlike standard bookkeepers, we understand the unique structure of racing and breeding operations, including the seasonal nature of income and expenses, the complexity of ownership arrangements, and the importance of accurate, timely reporting for syndicates, studs, and trainers.
One key way we differentiate ourselves is through our expertise in licensing and registration management. We handle registrations with racing authorities, ownership updates, and ongoing compliance requirements, critical tasks that generic bookkeepers simply aren’t equipped to manage. Additionally, we recognise that the thoroughbred industry doesn’t run on a standard 9–5 schedule. That’s why our services are flexible and responsive, designed to suit the irregular hours and fast-paced environment breeders operate in.”
How does Ardex software fit into your workflow for managing clients’ financial and operational data?
“Ardex software is central to Stable Books, helping us manage financial and operational data specifically for the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. It tracks horse-related income and expenses, manages syndicate ownership, automates charges, and generates detailed reports aligned with industry and financial standards. By linking transactions to horses, owners, and services, Ardex ensures transparency, streamlines invoicing, and enables real-time financial tracking. It also supports compliance with ownership registration and horse movement records. Integrated with Xero and MYOB Payroll, Ardex bridges operational management and financial reporting, reducing admin tasks and providing clean data for accountants, saving time and minimizing errors.”
What are the biggest benefits of using Stable Books and Ardex for your clients?
“The biggest benefits of using Stable Books with Ardex are increased efficiency, accuracy, and industry-specific support. This setup streamlines invoicing, tracks horse-related expenses, manages ownerships, and handles registrations and payroll, all with minimal input from the trainer or breeder. With everything running smoothly in the background, trainers & breeders gain more time to invest on-site with their horses and clients, rather than getting caught up in admin. It also gives peace of mind knowing the financials are handled professionally and accurately.”
Can you share an example of how Ardex has helped improve financial transparency or reporting for a breeder or stud farm?
“Stable Books now offers around-the-clock support to breeders and studs, issues are resolved faster, onboarding is seamless, and the day-to-day admin burden is significantly reduced giving clients confidence in their financials and more time to focus on their operations.”
Does using Stable Books and Ardex give breeders any competitive or compliance advantages in the industry?
“Yes, using Stable Books in combination with Ardex gives breeders clear competitive and compliance advantages in the thoroughbred industry. From a compliance perspective, Ardex ensures accurate tracking of horse ownership, registrations, and financial records all essential for meeting industry regulations and avoiding costly errors or delays. With Stable Books managing this process, breeders stay up to date with licensing, payroll obligations, and reporting requirements without the stress. Competitively, the efficiency and transparency provided by this system help breeders run smoother, more professional operations. Clear, accurate financial reporting builds trust with owners and stakeholders, while automated invoicing and real-time tracking reduce payment delays and improve cash flow. With Stable Books handling the admin and offering around-the-clock support, breeders gain more time to focus on their horses, clients, and business growth giving them a real edge in a demanding, fast-paced industry.”
What advice would you give breeders who are still managing their operations manually or with generic accounting tools?
“For breeders still managing their operations manually or using generic accounting tools, the key advice is you’re likely spending more time, money, and energy than you need to without getting the accuracy or insights your business really needs. Manual systems and general accounting software aren't designed for the complexities of the thoroughbred industry. They don’t track individual horse expenses, manage multi-owner structures, or handle industry-specific compliance like registrations and licensing. This can lead to missed income, billing errors, compliance risks, and frustration for both you and your owners. By switching to an industry-specific solution like Stable Books and Ardex, you gain clearer financial visibility, save time, and avoid costly mistakes. You’ll also benefit from professional, around-the-clock support tailored to the racing and breeding world—freeing you up to focus more on your horses and clients, and less on admin. In a competitive industry, efficiency and professionalism matter, don’t let outdated systems hold you back.”
What do you love most about working with thoroughbred breeders and being part of this industry?
“What we love most about working with thoroughbred breeders is being part of such a passionate, hardworking community that’s truly dedicated to producing champions. The industry is fast-paced and demanding, but there’s a real sense of pride and connection in what breeders do—nurturing horses from foal to future stars. Being able to support them behind the scenes, taking care of complex financial and administrative tasks, means they can focus on what they love most. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how our work helps lighten their load, improve their business, and ultimately contribute to the success of these amazing animals and the people who care for them.”
At Ardex, we believe promoting our partners and clients is an important part of supporting the thoroughbred community. Experts like Stable Books show how the right administration, management and technology can empower your own day-to-day operations and long-term success as well as the New Zealand industry. We’re proud to work alongside our partners Stable Books, and we look forward to continuing to spotlight businesses shaping the future of thoroughbred breeding and racing.
If you’re interested in finding out more about Stable Books and their services, visit their website or reach out to them directly via email at admin@stablebooks.nz or call +64 21 945 161.
Or if you’re interested in how Ardex Technology can improve your business, you can find out more about our newest software here or contact us directly by emailing hello@ardex.com.au or calling +02 9229 4700 + ext 2.
