Jess Davidson Joins Wai Eyre Farm Team

Wai Eyre Farm is thrilled to announce that former Trackside host and HRNZ marketing team member, Jess Davidson, will be joining the team. 

Jess will take up a new role with Wai Eyre Farm at the start of December, overseeing marketing and stallion service sales.

The role will support the vision that Wai Eyre has implemented, and focus on client relationships, communication and the promotion of the services we offer. This is alongside promoting our stallion ranks and the initiatives we have been offering breeders.

Darryl Brown says “This season we have been driven by our vision to drive the farm to new heights.  This has included the purchase of the stallions Lazarus and U S Captain and our relationship working with Pat Driscoll and the Yabby Dam Farms stallions, exporting again to Australia and increased communication to clients – all underpinned by a desire to see an increase in the number of foals bred in an effort to play a vital part in the future and sustainability of the  Harness Racing Industry. I believe that having Jess, with her immense industry knowledge, join the farm will help elevate us to that next level that we are striving for”. 

“We have seen a large increase in foaling and breeding numbers this season due to our goal to keep breeding affordable, and we are very excited to see what we can achieve next season with Jess helping to deliver our vision” Darryl concluded.

Jess has been working in mainstream media for the past five years, as a producer for Newstalk ZB and also an on air host and rural correspondent for The Country. But her passion for harness racing has never faded.

"I am thrilled and so excited to be returning to an industry I have been passionate about my whole life," Jess said.

"I was impressed with the forward thinking and the initiatives Darryl and the team have implemented this season. Our breeding numbers are crucial to ensuring the harness racing industry not only survives, but thrives. And WaiEyre have really put themselves out there this year to help breeders to keep going. Now is not the time for the industry to sit back and wait and see what happens."

"I am really excited to be part of a team that is dedicated to making a difference."

Jess was an on air host for Trackside for ten years, presenting at race meetings around New Zealand and hosted The Box Seat and her own Harness Show on Radio Trackside. 

"I still remember watching Lazarus win his two cups, and the atmosphere around the track when he obliterated his opposition. And I was fortunate enough with HRNZ to cover his journey to win in the States, speaking regularly to trainer Jimmy Takter about Laz's progress. So to now be working with Wai Eyre to promote him is pretty special."

"He is respected in North American circles and his progeny are flying there, it's great to see his statistics firing here with limited numbers so far, and so much promise with the likes of The Lazarus Effect and his feats to date."

Jess was also employed by The Meadowlands in the USA in 2011 and 2012 to host their Hambletonian and Meadowlands Pace coverage and the North American harness racing scene is close to her heart.

"I have made some wonderful connections and friends in the breeding and racing industry in the United States and Canada, which has presented some great opportunities for me to be able to make contact and promote the breeding scene here."

"During my time there I was lucky enough to watch Captaintreacherous and American Jewel race and meet their connections, which makes promoting a stallion such as US Captain very exciting for me.. A pedigree such as his and the value he offers breeders doesn't come along every day."

"I'm also really excited about the reports about On A Streak. He was a wonderful juvenile performer in the Northern Hemisphere, and took on and defeated some talented opposition. His pedigree is also outstanding, and the trainers are loving his progeny and their attitudes in New Zealand already."

Alongside promotion of Wai Eyre stallions, Jess will be providing regular updates on key information about farm updates, stallion performances, and interviews with industry participants in New Zealand and around the world to follow progress. 

Despite being in mainstream media, Jess has remained involved in the industry in recent years as well, breeding and racing the six win mare, Big Mama Morris, and encouraging new owners to get into the industry for Lethaby Racing Stables by way of syndication. 

She is now breeding from Big Mama Morris, who recently foaled at Wai Eyre Farm.

"As a breeder I have been so impressed with the staff at the farm, the communication and care of the mares and foals is brilliant. I was even fortunate enough to witness Big Mama Morris' filly stand and feed for the first time so was able to see the overnight foal watch team in action. The staff are experienced and passionate about what they do at every level."

"Everyone on farm has the same vision, and are driven every day to provide the best care and attention to detail. That made my decision to join the team a no brainer."

"It's an environment I can't wait to work in and help be part of the movement forward. I'm very grateful for the opportunity."