About Us

John Fokerd - President
(Partner: Marcella Burke)

Chartered Accountant, retired senior partner after 30 years with KPMG. Member of the Wellington Racing Club since 1980. Actively involved in breeding and ownership of both thoroughbreds and standardbreds. Co-breeder of three black type horses including Group One winner, Kapiston. Honorary auditor for the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, Wellington Branch.

Community involvement includes board of NZ Drama School, past Chairperson of Ronald McDonald House Wellington Trust. My goals for the Wellington Racing Club are to use my financial and business skills to achieve a financially strong and healthy club, to improve facilities for members and to provide top class racing at Trentham.  
 

David Butler – Vice President
(Wife: Joy)

Commercial and Property Lawyer, Eastbourne. A senior partner of Gillespie Young Watson . Member of the Wellington Racing Club since 1985.
Actively involved in racing and breeding thoroughbreds for over 20 years. Legal adviser over that period to owners, trainers and studs. Part owner of French Polish and co-breeder of group winners Dollars N Gold and Madison Point. Member of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

I believe the success and prosperity of the Club are dependent on it consistently providing an enjoyable experience for members, owners, trainers and race-goers. That will only be achieved through quality racing and quality facilities. I look forward to the opportunity of bringing my skills and experience to a progressive committee committed to those goals.
 

Graham Harper - Committee
(Wife: Judy)

General Sales Manager of the nationwide technology Company, CONNECT NZ.
Part time employment at the TAB in Dunedin in the early 1970’s kindled a life time interest in the Sport of Kings. A transfer to Wellington in 1975 commenced my affair with Trentham and I have been a regular attendee at meetings there ever since.

I subsequently become a Financial Member of both Wellington Racing and Hawkes Bay Racing and have been actively involved as an owner of thoroughbreds since 1991, racing horses with friends from both North and South Island stables during that time.

Like many members I viewed the downturn of events at Trentham some time back with dismay and I welcomed the opportunity to become a Race Day Steward at the Club for 18 months prior to recently taking up a Committee Role.

I see many benefits in the Club now coming under the auspices of the RACE Group and look forward to working with an enthusiastic Management Team and Committee in ensuring that we get an appropriate balance in caring for our Sponsors, our Members, our Owners and Trainers and the general Public at large.
 

Ray Southey - Committee
(Wife: Geri )

Managing Partner. Member of Wellington Racing Club since 1973. Lifetime involvement in Racing, active owner and Breeder for 30 years. Member of Masterton Racing committee for over 20 years. 2 periods as President, current vice president Wairarapa Harness Club and trustee Masterton Licensing Trust

Trentham is the premier racecourse in New Zealand and we must continue with recent program and improvements, and be aware of the needs and concerns of all involved in the industry form members, owners, trainers, punters and the importance of sponsors.
 

Robert Lahman – Committee
(partner: Glenn Usmar)

Company Director | Arts & Commercial Partnerships Consultant

Hutt Valley-bred. Long-term Trentham patron and recent WRC Gold Member since returning to Wellington to live.

Current racehorse owner; breeder of yearlings; racer of fillies under syndication (a great past-time and a great way to get new people into race attendance); Racing Syndicate Manager; Member of the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.

I recognise the urgent need to increment memberships through patrons’ programming initiatives; improved facilities for trainers, owners, members and horses; develop a broader base of corporate partnerships; make the Cavallo Club THE Club for the target youth market.

Want to do everything possible to ensure Trentham continues to enjoy premier track and venue status for future generations – this is achievable thanks to an exciting and talented President and Committee who share the same passion!

 Des Coppins - Committee
(Wife - Mary)

Des has been working in racing for much of his life.He was involved in his earlier racing years as a statistician/form compiler for the best Bets in Auckland before moving to Wellington in the 1970's where he joined the INL group of companies to become a racing writer for NZ Truth and Friday Flash before being appointed Editor of Friday Flash. He held that position for 14 years before the company shifted the publication to Auckland . Today Des is director of his company Des Coppins Racing and Marketing Ltd and for a time worked under contract in the sales and marketing for the Radioworks (Mediaworks) hosting  

(Tracktalk) on Radio Pacific. These days Des runs the talk-back racing show on Radio Trackside each Sunday and does a few other shifts on radio during the week as well as co-presenting the First Call on Trackside each Saturday. He runs a very succesful tipping line (090045459) . Des has been in syndicates that have raced many horses and has over 50 wins with the most succesful being the Group Two winner Soap Opera. He is married to Mary and has 3 live in nephews and Mimi the dog ( 2.2.kg miniature pinscher).
 

 Colin Dallas – Committee
(partner: Jane)

My involvement with racing came about when a group of new owners got together to race in a syndicate of horses about 15 years ago. This along with the pure interest of the horse racing industry gave me an insight as to how much fun and excitement you can gain once you are involved. As a Committee Member this is a great opportunity for me to meet new friends and to share in the overall passion for this sport.   Wellington being the vibrant city that it is, allows people the opportunity to see the 7’s rugby and to enjoy the Wellington Cup Carnival all in the space of a few weeks which helps add to the excitement that makes Wellington the place we all love to live in.    

Part of what I would like to see happen as I get more involved with racing at Trenthan, is to see younger people raising there hand and wanting to either become new members or taking an ownership of a horse. The excitement is just something that can be enjoyed immeasurably. I look forward to working with a great committee of people who share the interests and goals as what I do.