Tony Lee resigns

[Gruff 2,790]

I see Sheriff took the opportunity when his horse won at Trentham to say a few words on Trackside TV on the matter of T Lee's absence from today's premier meeting. I'm sure it echoed the thoughts of many; well said.

. They call him the poisoned dwarf but under all that fire and brimstone (required in dodge city)resides a smart caring individual,all he wants is a fair go for the industry and to see swiper the fox(dog to some)turn some bad form on its head.where was his hat today?

[Von Cettes 683]

NZ and Australia have been blessed with some outstanding race callers, none better than Tony Lee, the colour and excitement in his calls were what attracted patrons to the code, many newcomers (punters) listening to a T Lee call are more likely to embrace and engage into the sport of kings, than someone less colourful.

This may sound a little bizarre but TL probably added to overall turnover, due to his outstanding commentaries, so he will be missed in more ways than one.

Some great cliches used, and one of my favourite lines in his earlier days was "Peaches and Cream"

As for Mike O'Sullivan, I have no problems with his calls, it's just the description of the last 300 metres I have a problem with, if your not watching Sky, or you don't know the colour of the silks of the runner you have wagered on, you can quite easily think your in with a chance, especially the last 100, a horse will be storming home according to O'Sullivan, and if your listening on radio you maybe under the false pretenses that your in with a chance, where watching it live on Sky your thinking WTF!

I'm not a Greyhound punter, but there is a guy who calls the Greyhounds, in the Nth Island who reminds me of TL and he has received some good wraps over here in Aus, you could do worse maybe a switch in codes?

But to finish off Tony Lee.....Trentham will never be the same, you are a CHAMP!,

[myk 4]

Worked with Tony at markets when he first started filling in for the late Reg Clapp.A greater guy you would never meet,Best Bets in back pocket,a bundle of laughs when socialising and deserves all the accolades passed onto him with his departure.Maybe from all this we will see a new training partnership emerge:A.Fieldes-T.Lee- Marton,training for Dummy.All the best for what ever you choose Tony,you have earnt it mate.

[Centrofold 147]

I don't know if Tony reads Race Cafe but if he does I would just like to say, he will be missed and I wish him all the best in whatever he chooses to do.

[deegee 2]

Hi Tony,i would like to echo my sentiments(spelling might be wrong)you are a great guy,and al;ways worth a laugh,when you interviewed me on the radio on numerous occasions,well we always had a dig or two at each other.I hope the powers of NZ Racing take a good look at themselves and give you some sought of sendoff.you will be a sad loss to nz commentators,and CASTLETOWNs drewam burst into reality,keep cool mate and enjoy time with your family and friends.

cheers mate Darren Gray

[TOM(the other Molloy) 1,774]

Not the first time an NZ icon of the commentary box has moved on in a manner which they would not really find satisfactory(read Hauby and Reon in recent years alone). Seems the best of talent accumulate a bit of jealousy among the powers that be.

As a member of the Reefton Committee I was astounded to see T Lee there that day of Reon's retirement and it does indeed show the measure of the man. And then last year when he organised the 'Racing for the Coast' promotion to help the Pike families....

Tony Lee is one of those personalities who really could put racing into the national spotlight(and there aren't too many of them in NZ)

If there isn't a special farewell organised for this bloke then it is a travesty

Good luck Tony, thanks for your wonderful efforts over the years and you will be welcome down on the Coast in January(and whenever else you might care to call).

[mckenzie 607]

Shocked and very much saddened to hear Tony has retired/quit, and quite outraged by the little acknowledgement from Trackside and the racing board. Tony was a huge influence on me when I first got into racing, his calls were legendary, the Castletown Cup call is for me the most iconic racecall in NZ racing, his Xcellent winning the Mudgeway commentary was also spine tingling. But it was also the maidens and low grade races that Tony could make feel like a Melbourne Cup that really set him apart. I don't want to sound like I am writing an obituary but the effort from those in charge to give him a send off regardless of the circumstances is quite honestly a disgrace. One of the most known and recognisable people in the sport, and his departure has barely got a mention. In a sport that should be making use of every single asset it can possibly find at the moment, the last thing it needs to be doing is letting people like Tony drop off the radar. I am quite sure if it was simply a matter of retirement TLee would have at least given a comment. Another massive fail on NZRB's part a) to let the relationship to get to this point and for Tony's departure to be only deserving of a passing mention. I was expecting AT THE LEAST some kind of special feature show this weekend, with Tony's greatest calls, or highlights of his time behind the microphone... but nothing! I don't know him personally but I can't imagine it feels very good to have worked your butt off for a few decades in a pretty demanding job and recieve not the slightest mention at the end of it. I wish him the best in whatever he does next. A real icon of New Zealand racing.

[G Unit 1]

So what is/was the NZRB's issue with him then? $$ ? Attitude? Or is it just a case of him being 'over it' and feeling like the game is no longer what once was.

[Kiah 13]

So what is/was the NZRB's issue with him then? $$ ? Attitude? Or is it just a case of him being 'over it' and feeling like the game is no longer what once was.

I understand that he was feeling really unappreciated and that they wouldnt renegotiate his contract - given the massive increase in the numbers of races that he has to call each month!!!! TAB bosses have been lumping in extra races each day, extra meetings each week and if they could add extra days to the week then they would!! They have a product to turn out.

The head honchos decided they have all their staff under pressure and that he is no different. They also decided that they have adequate coverage if anyone leaves. I can tell you that a number of their staff are at breaking point - and that over Labour Weekend the massive problems by a huge number of races physically had their CEO on the floor caling for calm.

Back to Tony. Its simply not true that they can cover his loss properly and its up to us to tell them that pretty clearly. I felt really sorry for those that have stepped in to fill the breach because they were caught unawares - and it really showed. Its still showing and will show for some time.

Apparently, the lack of acknowledgement comes because of the bosses disapproval that he just walked without a period of grace - but if your boss is an a - - hole ... I dont blame Tony for walking.

[MrBigStuff 394]

I understand that he was feeling really unappreciated and that they wouldnt renegotiate his contract - given the massive increase in the numbers of races that he has to call each month!!!! TAB bosses have been lumping in extra races each day, extra meetings each week and if they could add extra days to the week then they would!! They have a product to turn out.

Tony only did call at Wellington, Awapuni and Otaki, sometimes Foxton and only the big ones at the Bay, so really he was not doing as much as he use to back in the day! So you are completely wrong there!

[Overcheck 190]

Not the first time an NZ icon of the commentary box has moved on in a manner which they would not really find satisfactory(read Hauby and Reon in recent years alone). Seems the best of talent accumulate a bit of jealousy among the powers that be.

As a member of the Reefton Committee I was astounded to see T Lee there that day of Reon's retirement and it does indeed show the measure of the man. And then last year when he organised the 'Racing for the Coast' promotion to help the Pike families....

Tony Lee is one of those personalities who really could put racing into the national spotlight(and there aren't too many of them in NZ)

If there isn't a special farewell organised for this bloke then it is a travesty

Good luck Tony, thanks for your wonderful efforts over the years and you will be welcome down on the Coast in January(and whenever else you might care to call).

Jealousy is rife in the TV and Radio worlds which seem to be run by the arty fartys who don't live in the real world, and can't stand being outliked by those with real talent.

[Idolmite 2,527]

Well they had his letter of resignation in their possession dated the 15th October, and they did nothing for ten days, then outrageously advised him they'd accepted it last Thursday.

Mmmm......I'd have thought he deserved a lot better treatment than that.

Much MUCH better treatment. Their lack of foresight and forethought is outstanding.........

[Mrs.Ed 54]

Jealousy is rife in the TV and Radio worlds which seem to be run by the arty fartys who don't live in the real world, and can't stand being outliked by those with real talent.

Well Excuse Me! Please don't associate TV and Film world's "Arty Farty" with that talentless crop at Trackside!

Apart from the race caller specific talent at Trackside, anyone and everyone who is a REAL TALENT uses Trackside as work experience before moving onto bigger and better things.

It is a testament to the greatness and popularity of Tony Lee that the Trackside 20 years thread got 7 replies, 653 views while the Tony Lee thread 65 replies, 8524 views.

[Kiah 13]

Tony only did call at Wellington, Awapuni and Otaki, sometimes Foxton and only the big ones at the Bay, so really he was not doing as much as he use to back in the day! So you are completely wrong there!

Nope - not wrong at all. Think about it. When you start renegotiating your contract then it doesnt happen overnight.Things happen over a period of time and usually for a reason. So sit back Mr Big Stuff and think about it

[Kent 12]

What a shame. A real loss for NZ racing, particularly the Central Districts. If I recall correctly, his predecessor, A. Bright, was not treated all that well by those up the food-chain either.

It's a real shame Tony is leaving, but life is too short to be treated like that, so good on him for putting himself first. Gee, what big shoes to fill! Who will be calling the Wellington Cup next year? We will all get used to it, but I, for one, will feel a little bit hollow come Trentham's Cup meeting and someone else is calling them home...(no offence to whoever that will be)! Tony has made that meeting his own. Good luck to you Tony, I hope the industry doesn't lose you completely!!

[Idolmite 2,527]

It is a testament to the greatness and popularity of Tony Lee that the Trackside 20 years thread got 7 replies, 653 views while the Tony Lee thread 65 replies, 8524 views.

I recorded that then accidentally deleted it. Gutted. Am interested now to see just how little mention Tony got in that piece.......

[scooby3051 10,858]

I think the way the morons in Wellington handled this sums up NZ Racing really. They have no clue as to the value of the real personalities within the industry, and to think a guy who dedicated a large part of his life to the racing industry was not even given the decency of a decent send off, really shows the low quality of the people now in control of the NZ Racing industry.

[Scotch Thistle 133]

I reckon it would be fitting for Tony to be voted the racing personality of the year award to stick it up those who caused a gem to be lost.

[Baz (NZ) 1,722]

Reon Murtha, Jim Smith, Paul Moroney, Kevin Payne, Mick Geurin, Luke Radich, Sheldon Murtha, Alan Bright, Keith Haub, George Simon, zzz zzzzz, Daryl Anderson, Jason Teaz, Justin Le Lievre, Alexander Fieldes, Andre Neil, Des Coppins and now Tony Lee?

Have these guys mentioned...all been shafted at some stage of their careers by The Muppet Show in Wellington? Or did they all leave on happy terms praising the powers that be?

[Baz (NZ) 1,722]

I recorded that then accidentally deleted it. Gutted. Am interested now to see just how little mention Tony got in that piece.......

Idol.....20 years of Trackside is being replayed tonight at 8:00pm!

[Idolmite 2,527]

Idol.....20 years of Trackside is being replayed tonight at 8:00pm!

Thanks Baz

[THE TORCH 665]

Reon Murtha, Jim Smith, Paul Moroney, Kevin Payne, Mick Geurin, Luke Radich, Sheldon Murtha, Alan Bright, Keith Haub, George Simon, zzz zzzzz, Daryl Anderson, Jason Teaz, Justin Le Lievre, Alexander Fieldes, Andre Neil, Des Coppins and now Tony Lee?

Have these guys mentioned...all been shafted at some stage of their careers by The Muppet Show in Wellington? Or did they all leave on happy terms praising the powers that be?

So true Baz. And yet some have survived to this day which is the really confusing thing!!!! Makes you wonder what theyre thinking.

[Greg Lindsay 2]

First time I have looked at this site for some time. Only did it to find out what the feck the real oil behind T Lee's resignation was. I was hoping that there would have been some kind of news service on here by now - where are the interviews from G Broomhall, the CEO of the Racing Board, Tony Lee himself.

No Trackside, and the time difference makes listening to the internet live a bit complicated at times. To get my fix every now and then I go to the NZ Racing website and listen to C D race commentary's - that will be a waste of time now.

Although it never provided any income to the NZ Board anyway - so nothing lost to them.

Find out the real story - and post it on here.

[Peter Harrop 226]

Tony Lee is a great racecaller and I'll miss his calls, but usually there are 2 sides to any story. I don't suppose anyone has thought of that. What, for arguments sake, if Tony was asking for a million bucks per call, his own masseuse, free trips to the bahamas for life and use of a Ferrari for trips up to Awapuni and Hastings?

[Ligerzero 34]

Tony Lee is a great racecaller and I'll miss his calls, but usually there are 2 sides to any story. I don't suppose anyone has thought of that. What, for arguments sake, if Tony was asking for a million bucks per call, his own masseuse, free trips to the bahamas for life and use of a Ferrari for trips up to Awapuni and Hastings?

Sounds reasonable