Regan Donnison’s journey through the world of thoroughbred racing has been one marked by a love for the sport and recognition of his roots here in Matamata.

As the current General Manager of Matamata Racing Club, Regan now stands at the helm of a Club he has been involved with for decades. His path to leadership wasn’t always straightforward but he brings a vision for a sustainable future for the Club that should ensure its place in the community for years to come. 

Regan’s connection to the racing world began at an early age, growing up locally here in Matamata, a town that’s synonymous with horse racing.

With his family full of racing enthusiasts, Regan’s childhood was steeped in the industry. His maternal grandparents were well-respected figures in the local racing community, breeding and racing top-class horses for many years. It was no surprise then that Regan developed an early love for the sport and dreamed of becoming a jockey.

“I always wanted to be a jockey,” Regan recalls, “but it was clear quite early on that it was just a dream and never a reality” in reference to his 6 foot plus stature. Realising that riding horses at the top level was unlikely, Regan shifted his focus to training horses.

Regan was just 12 years old when he first dipped his toe in the world of a racing stable, working for Mike Moroney and Graham Richardson who were in partnership at the time.  They operated Ballymore Stables, which housed some of the most celebrated horses in New Zealand – and still does! 

This experience solidified Regan’s desire to follow in their footsteps and become a successful horse trainer. “It was the exposure to those horses and the industry professionals that spurred my ambition,” he says. 

“I got to work with amazing horses on a daily basis, and it only deepened my passion.”

Starting out as a trainer here in Matamata, Regan faced some challenges, especially in his early years when he began as a pre-trainer.

"I was far too young at the time," Regan admits. "But like many young racing enthusiasts, I thought I knew better. Turns out, it wasn’t quite that easy."

Building a clientele was tough, and despite his passion, Regan struggled to gain momentum. At a crossroads in his training career, Regan made the difficult decision to step away from hands-on training. 

"The reality was, I wasn’t excelling in the training game,” he admits. “I loved the process of seeing young horses grow into racehorses, but I just didn’t have the fast ones to get excited about.”

But rather than abandoning the industry, Regan sought new opportunities within it. He worked for New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB), gaining invaluable insight into the commercial side of the industry. 

“Working at NZB opened my eyes to the business of racing,” Regan says. 

“I got to understand how those who made smart commercial decisions often reaped the rewards.” 

This experience proved crucial when Regan later returned to Matamata, bringing a fresh set of skills and perspectives with him.

When the opportunity arose to return to Matamata as the General Manager of the racing club here approximately 18months ago, Regan was initially hesitant. “Honestly, I didn’t see myself returning as the leader of the club,” he says with a laugh. “But when the opportunity came up, it felt like the right decision.”

Matamata’s deep-rooted racing heritage, combined with Regan’s ties to the community, made it an ideal fit. "I wanted to see the club progress and, with my local knowledge, I felt I could contribute in a meaningful way." 

One of Regan’s main challenges in his new role was balancing the club’s rich history with the need to modernise. 

“The club has been an industry leader for a long time,” he acknowledges. 

“But to stay relevant, we have to adapt to today’s landscape. I can’t do this alone—collaboration is key.” 

The Matamata Racing Club has already seen some exciting changes under Regan’s leadership, including an increased focus on member engagement and Regan is also keen to progress the Club’s plans for a major development project. 

“We recently purchased the Valachi Stables from the Hickman family,” he explains. 

“This will ultimately provide more trainers with on-site stabling and give them access to world-class facilities.” 

Looking ahead, Regan’s vision for the club is clear. "I see Matamata becoming a world leader in thoroughbred training and racing," he says. 
"There’s never been a better time to invest in the Club, and with the right planning, we can take things to new heights." 

Looking forward, Regan is excited about the potential for the Matamata Racing Club to evolve into a hub for not just racing, but also as a key events venue for the region. 

"I’m excited to see where we can take the club,” he says. 

"It’s an exciting time for the industry, and we have the chance to be at the forefront."

As he continues to lead Matamata Racing Club into the future, Regan Donnison remains dedicated to both preserving the legacy of this iconic institution and modernising it for the next generation of racing enthusiasts. The future of Matamata racing looks bright with him at the helm.