Bren O'Brien's Latest Articles
CrownBet lives again as Betfair Australia steps into dedicated fixed-odds play
A “strategic diversification” by Crown Resorts will see Betfair Australia revive the CrownBet brand and enter the competitive fixed-odds betting market.
More than a feeling – Does the Australian tote still have a pulse?
Gillon McLachlan has made the formation of a national tote the centrepiece of his reform of Tabcorp since taking over as chief executive in August 2024. For the one-time wagering behemoth, there is a lot more at play than just extra liquidity.
McGrath review into Queensland racing set for Doomben release
Queensland’s racing industry will finally see the recommendations of a major review that is expected the shape its future direction when Racing Minister Tim Mander releases it to the public this Saturday morning.
Credit card ban makes small dent in online gambling spend
The imposition of an Australian-wide ban on the use of credit cards on online betting accounts in June 2024 made only a small impact on betting behaviour, a report has found.
‘Populism doesn’t pay the bills’ – Call for racing’s leaders to step up to big ticket industry challenges
Experienced racing executive Charlotte Mills has warned that the Australian thoroughbred industry is running out of time to address its major challenges and has urged the industry’s leaders to act decisively, do what is right, not what may be popular.
Who stands up for racing’s future? What Australia can learn from Britain’s racing tax reprieve
The complex relationship between wagering and racing makes it hard to determine whether the British thoroughbred industry will ultimately be better off despite dodging a feared rise in betting tax. The situation should act as a lesson for Australia, writes Bren O’Brien.
Run The Numbers – Following the Snitzel trail
The comparisons between Russian Revolution and Snitzel were inevitable after son followed father as a winner of the Oakleigh Plate. It was always a hard act to follow at stud, but as Run The Numbers finds out, the Newgate resident is doing a good job of keeping pace.
‘Clarity and confidence’: Breeders urge Pattern resolution
The chairmen of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Aushorse, Basil Nolan and Antony Thompson, have called on the thoroughbred industry to prioritise solutions over politics and resolve the current uncertainty around the programming of Australia’s black type races.
Japan Cup success completes Aga Khan Stud’s most difficult and remarkable year
Less than 10 months on from the death of the Aga Khan, the legacy of his astute bloodstock judgment has delivered his daughter, Princess Zahra, arguably the greatest year on the track for their horses.