No challenge too great for Elizabeth Whelan

Greyhound Racing New Zealand chief operating officer Elizabeth Whelan has carried a passion for racing for more than 30 years, and now she’s calling on that passion to advocate for a sport she loves.

Whelan (36) joined GRNZ in her key role in January 2022 during a difficult time for greyhound racing, with the sport under review, but it’s fair to say Whelan likes a challenge.

“Racing is my passion, but I've got a special love for greyhound racing. I love our people and I love the animals,” Whelan said.

"A lot of my role is fighting for the industry, which I'll keep doing personally and professionally.”

Whelan’s advocacy and tenacity was highlighted when she was named National Racing Woman Of The Year at last month’s Industry Excellence Awards, powered by Entain, which recognised the industry’s emerging leaders and future stars under the age of 40.

Whelan grew up in Whanganui, attending both thoroughbred and greyhound meetings in the city from a young age. After graduating from the University of Auckland with a BA/LLB(Hons), Whelan soon redirected her career trajectory towards racing, taking up a presenting role with Trackside, before working for Country Racing Victoria in Melbourne.

She returned to New Zealand during the pandemic, working as editor for Raceform and in a communications role for New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, before joining GRNZ.

Whelan is under no illusions about the perception that some people have about greyhound racing, and she will take every opportunity to correct any misconceptions, while explaining the love that greyhound racing participants have for their animals – something she has done on national television in debates with those who want the sport banned.

“There are a lot of misconceptions out there,” she said.

“A lot of people don't realise that we have strict rules and standards in place that go far beyond the MPI Code of Welfare for Dogs for regular domestic canine pets. And every single greyhound has the opportunity to be rehomed at the end of its career.

“Anyone in racing knows it's very long hours, it's a lot of hard work, the animals don't know that it's Christmas Day. Everyone who works in racing does it because they love it, and that's one of the reasons why I feel lucky to be part of this sport.”

Whelan has developed strong friendships within the wider racing industry, and she was thrilled to see that cross-code representation at the awards.

“I thought it was amazing having the three codes in a room full of a lot of young people, the future of the industry.“

And what did it mean to get nod as the National Racing Woman of the Year?

“I had priced myself at 100/1, and when they were going through the category finalists for my category, I was standing next to my mum and dad and I said, I think I'm drifting to 1000/1,” Whelan said.

“I was genuinely shocked and I was super emotional, but also incredibly grateful. Entain is doing amazing things for racing in New Zealand, and it really was a fantastic night that they put on.”

Whelan is planning to explore another form of horsepower with her $10,000 prize.

“I'm Grand Prix obsessed, so I'm researching which Grand Prix to take a holiday to!”