HAWKE'S BAY RACING BOARD MEMBERS
ABOUT FRED | CHAIRMAN
Fred Coates joined Hawkes Bay Racing Club in 2014, shortly after arriving from Western Australia. He is 59 and has enjoyed racing throughout his life, with early years in Melbourne and later in Broome, WA.
Fred joined the HBRI Board in 2024 with the aim: be part of the reinvigoration of racing in Hawkes Bay. He has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from R.M.I.T. and has experience in Design and Development sectors across Australia and New Zealand. In sport, Fred has rowed competitively and loves skiing and polo with the family. Fred believes the opportunity to improve Hawkes Bay Racing with a greenfield project is exciting. Ultimately, he is looking forward to seeing a growing membership enjoy great racing at home in Hawkes Bay.
ABOUT JASON | VICE CHAIRMAN
Jason Roebuck is an experienced commercial executive who has held senior leadership and governance roles across the advertising, agribusiness and technology sectors. He is committed to strengthening and consolidating the future of thoroughbred racing in Hawke’s Bay and is a strong advocate for the changes required to support sustainable industry growth, ensuring racing remains relevant, competitive, and valued by participants, owners, breeders, and the wider community. From a deep family commitment to and a lifelong enthusiast of horses and equestrian sport, Jason maintains a keen personal interest in thoroughbred breeding, racing, and performance bloodlines. He also enjoys hunting to hounds and follows the breeding and development of horses both on the racecourse and in the hunting field.
ABOUT MARK
Mark’s has 25 years’ experience as a commercial lawyer, working both for law firms and as inhouse lawyer. He has also been heavily involved in sports administration including among other roles nine years on the board (one year as chair) of New Zealand Football and nine years as Chief Executive of Sport Hawke’s Bay.
Mark is currently Chair of the Hawke’s Bay Community Fitness Centre Trust and a Board Member of Central Districts Cricket. Mark has for many years been a regular attendee at race meetings and has in more recent times enjoyed being an owner, with a second place in the 1000 Guineas last year being a highlight so far.
ABOUT TIM
With more than 30 years of experience in global financial markets and banking, both locally and offshore, Tim brings a wealth of commercial expertise, strong negotiation skills, and financial knowledge to Hawkes Bay Racing. Throughout his career, Tim has built a reputation for delivering results through clear communication, trusted relationships, and a practical approach to problem solving. Tim is passionate about Hawke’s Bay having bought a property here in 2011, when visiting and advising clients in the region. Tim brings strong skills in compliance and governance, and business acumen. He is a past Chair of a sub-committee of the NZ Financial Markets Association, and is the current Chair of the local Waiwhare Community Centre. Tim has owned and participated in horse racing for many years, his local claim to fame being his horse won the 2006 Hawkes Bay Steeplechase. Tim is also a Life Member of the Canterbury Jockey Club.
ABOUT GUY
Guy Lowry has had a lifelong association with both racing and breeding thoroughbreds. He commenced training in Hawke’s Bay in 1995 and has since established ‘Game Lodge’ a successful training operation. Also, Chairman of Mount View Farms, a large family-owned farming enterprise - he is passionate about the outdoors and giving youth an opportunity.
His hobbies include hunting, fishing following New Zealand sport, playing tennis when he can and often refers to himself as a part-time grader driver. Hawke’s Bay Racing is an important part of Guy’s business, and with a long family history within the club, he works hard to allow innovations that will maintain our overall longevity.
ABOUT PAUL
Paul Beamish was born and raised in Hawke’s Bay and has spent a lifetime working with horses and livestock throughout New Zealand and overseas. After shepherding on the East Coast and in Hawke’s Bay, he trained and played polo locally, managed polo ponies in Australia and has also worked on stud farms in England and Ireland. In 1980, Paul established Beamish Bloodstock and has since built a respected bloodstock consultancy serving clients in New Zealand, Australia, and Hong Kong. He has held committee and executive roles with both the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club and the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society, and was NSW Manager for Magic Millions Sales Pty Ltd from 2012 to 2016. Today, Paul works full-time as a bloodstock agent and manages horses in training with Game Lodge in Hastings.
ABOUT KIRSTY
Kirsty Lawrence is the current President of the Waipukurau Jockey Club and National Pony Scurry Coordinator, driving grassroots participation and future attendance in New Zealand racing. This year Kirsty was elected to the NZ Thoroughbred Racing Members Council.
An established racehorse trainer based in Waipukurau, she is heavily involved in the racing and equestrian community, with strong rural and business connections. Alongside racing, Kirsty is an elected councillor on the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council and a business owner, with her husband, Steve, bringing practical, hands on industry experience to both governance and racing.