Meet The Team
Daniel Nakhle
Daniel’s passion for racing and breeding was the key motivator for establishing the NZEA. With directorships and interests in a wide range of industries and businesses, Daniel has the skillset and networks to ensure the academy is a success and continues to grow and deliver results. Byerley Park was established by Daniel and his father Elias, reflecting their shared passion for thoroughbreds and giving them the opportunity mix business with pleasure. Focusing on quality over quantity, Daniel’s bloodstock portfolio includes racehorses, broodmares and young stock with a selection being retained to race and the remainder sold at auction each year.
Amie Best
Amie has led the NZ Equine Academy since August 2024, teaching the L2 course and overseeing the L3 programme. With international experience on stud farms and racing stables, as well as a strong equestrian and instructing background, Amie is passionate about providing students with skills and knowledge up to industry standards. She is driven by the wish to produce quality staff for the industry while providing students the opportunity to explore rewarding employment options with good career progression.
Ph: 021 504 970
Leith Innes
Former top jockey Leith Innes heads the Apprentice Jockey Academy. His vast experience and industry contacts are instrumental in setting up young riders to succeed. Leith also works with the L2 and L3 students around concepts such as jockey career paths, tv presenting and riding position.
Ph: 021 798 881
Elen Nicholas
Elen Nicholas is one of the two tutors of the L3 programme in Cambridge. Born in Wales, Elen arrived in New Zealand in 2018 and her success as an apprentice jockey and experience working in top racing yards means she is the perfect person to inspire young people working in the industry.
Aleisha Legg
Aleisha Legg is one of the two tutors of the L3 programme in Cambridge. Aleisha was introduced to the thoroughbred industry via stud work but found her true calling working in racing. Aleisha's experience both locally and travelling with horses across the Tasman gives her a depth of knowledge invaluable for teaching the next generation of strappers and trackwork riders.
Student Stable -
Powered by Entain
In 2025 the New Zealand Equine Academy and Logan Racing joined forces to establish the Student Stable, powered by Entain.
​
This venture gives students of the Equine Academy horses in training to connect with and learn from that they will follow long past their time studying.
The horses are trained at Byerley Park by the internationally successful Donna Logan and will race in the NZ Equine Academy silks. A portion of any stakes won will be reinvested into the Academy to benefit current and future students.
The partnership between the NZ Equine Academy and Donna Logan's stable will give students the opportunity to explore pedigrees, conformation, stable routine, exercise regimes, racing programmes, and marketing campaigns - in real time with real horses.
You can't beat the feeling of watching a horse on raceday you know beyond the pages of a racebook...
There are limited lease ownership opportunities in these horses, get in touch if you are interested to learn more.
Trackwork riding lessons
The NZ Equine Academy offer trackwork riding lessons out of the Waikato campus located at the Cambridge Jockey Club.
​
Using the academy horses, riders can perfect their position and hone their skills under the tutelage of Elen Nicholas and Aleisha Legg.
Riders get to develop their abilities using the round yard, jumps paddock and racetrack.
These lessons are ideal for anyone employed in the racing industry wanting to work towards their slow track license, develop strength or improve their abilities.
