This week on Betavet Under the Radar, we caught up with Rebecca Johnston, Office Manager at Stable Books, who plays a key behind-the-scenes role supporting clients across the racing and breeding industry. From accounts and compliance to client liaison and office operations, Rebecca brings organisation, enthusiasm and a genuine passion for the industry to the Stable Books team.
Explain your role and who you work for.
I work at Stable Books as the Office Manager. Stable Books provides administrative, accounting and office support services to the racing and breeding industry across New Zealand.
We work with a wide range of people across the industry, including breeders, trainers, jockeys, pre-trainers, agistment farms and breakers, so no two days are ever really the same.
My role is pretty varied and covers everything from accounts, payroll, invoicing, client and owner liaison, and coordinating NZTR and Racing Australia compliance requirements, through to booking travel, helping with day-to-day office admin and providing onsite support to clients when needed.
It’s a real behind-the-scenes role, but an important one, and I love being part of the team that helps keep things moving.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Definitely the variety. There is always something going on, no matter what part of the season we are in, which keeps things interesting.
I enjoy the fast-paced environment and the fact that I get to work with so many different people across the racing and breeding industry. It’s rewarding knowing that the work we do helps take pressure off our clients and allows them to focus on what they do best.
I also love that the role gives me a great insight into how the industry operates behind the scenes. There is so much more that goes into racing than people probably realise.
What was your path into the industry?
I definitely wasn’t born into the industry like most! My introduction to racing came through my close friend, Briar Weatherley, who I met in my first year of high school in Hamilton.
One Friday I jumped on the bus with Briar back to the Weatherley family farm in Matamata, and that soon became a regular weekend routine. That was where I caught the bug.
After school, I completed a Hospitality and Business course before starting my career at a vehicle dealership in Hamilton. I spent three years working in Accounts before moving into Finance and Insurance, which gave me a really good grounding in the kind of work I do now.
I later saw a Finance Assistant role advertised at New Zealand Bloodstock and knew it was the perfect opportunity to get into the industry properly. When Lou Weatherley took over Stable Books in 2023, I moved back to the Waikato and have now been working here for three years.
It has been a bit of a full-circle moment, going from weekends at the Weatherley farm as a teenager to now working in the industry every day.
How would you attract more young people into the workforce?
I think the biggest thing is showing young people just how many different career paths there actually are in the industry. A lot of people probably think you have to ride horses or be born into racing to be involved, but that’s definitely not the case. There are roles in administration, accounts, marketing, events, media, bloodstock, breeding, horse care, compliance, and so many other areas.
Once people get a feel for the industry and the people in it whether that’s going to race meetings or spending time around stables and farms it’s pretty easy to get hooked.
What advice would you give someone wanting to enter the industry in any capacity
Be open to opportunities and willing to learn.
The racing and breeding industry is full of different career paths, and you do not need to have it all figured out straight away. Sometimes the best opportunities come from saying yes, asking questions and being prepared to give things a go.
Work hard, stay open-minded and take every chance you can to meet people and learn from them. It is a small industry in a lot of ways, so relationships are important.
What are your interests outside of your role?
Outside of work, I love going for walks with a coffee in hand and taking any opportunity to be at the beach.
I’m happiest when I’m outside, by the water, or spending time with friends and family. I also enjoy going to race meetings whenever I can, especially the thrill of summer racing.
