Wagering giant Entain has launched its TAB Racing Club, an initiative to provide New Zealand punters with a first-hand racehorse ownership experience.
New Zealand punters can now opt-in for free to the TAB Racing Club, mirrored on Entain’s Ladbrokes Racing Club model in Australia, through their TAB accounts.
Punters will receive exclusive behind-the-scenes content from leading trainers on the club’s runners, ballots for race day prizes including events and bonuses, ownership experiences, hospitality, stable tours and access to other club competitions.
“There’s no feeling quite like the excitement of having a runner at the races and now many more Kiwis can find this out for themselves,” Entain’s New Zealand managing director Cameron Rodger said.
“The club is a great entry-level, no-cost way for Kiwis to get a taste of what a world-class ownership experience looks like.
“They’ll hear from some of the industry’s leading lights about the club’s horses and get to soak up the very best of an on-track experience through our prize draws.
“We envision the club as creating a pathway for TAB customers to head towards joining the ownership ranks in their own rights.”
TAB New Zealand purchased 12 yearlings at the Karaka Yearling Sale in January, the majority in partnership with Newgate Farm supremo Henry Field. The horses will be prepared by many of New Zealand’s leading trainers.
Most horses were educated in Australia by Matt Vella at Hawkesbury, along with the Ladbrokes Racing Club’s fillies, before being sent back to New Zealand to their respective trainers.
TAB Racing Club-owned juveniles Adoration, a Savabeel colt trained by Te Akau, and Toronado filly Aurora Storm have already made it to the trials. Aurora Storm is trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott.
The Ladbrokes Racing Club and Newgate partnership started in the right fashion at the official two-year-old barrier trial session in Sydney on Monday, with Strada Vareena winning her heat in style.
The Bjorn Baker-trained daughter of Street Boss is expected to line up in the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick on October 5 with premier jockey James McDonald in the saddle.
