Kevin Payne has been replaced after 20 years as commentator for horse and greyhound racing in Otago.
Payne said yesterday he had been informed by the New Zealand Racing Board that his contract would not be renewed at the end of the season on July 31.
It was his final meeting at Forbury Park yesterday.
Alan Clyma, the president of the Forbury Park Trotting Club, said he had been advised that Tom Wood would be race commentating at Forbury Park next season.
Payne (46) said he was shattered by the decision.
"I feel like it is a kick in the guts. There was supposedly an understudy for race commentating and now they say they have to have a place to put him," Payne said.
"I am still one of the youngest commentators in the country."
Payne was living in Auckland when he began commentating at Sunday workouts.
He secured a job calling races with Radio Pacific at the age of 19 and commentated races at venues from Ruakaka to Invercargill.
He became based in Otago in 1990 with Radio Pacific and continued in the role when the TAB took over the administration of race calling about five years ago.
He will no longer be a presenter for the TAB television channel Trackside.
