OTI Racing is officially going trans-Tasman, with the Australian syndicator licensed in New Zealand this week.
“We are now a licensed syndicator in New Zealand, which means we can offer horses to the public (in New Zealand),” OTI Racing principal Terry Henderson said.
“They will get the same offering as the Australians do, which could be New Zealand or Australian horses, trained by New Zealand or Australian trainers. We will certainly be racing more horses in New Zealand.”
OTI Racing has been a large investor in New Zealand thoroughbred racing for many years and their silks have also been prevalent on this side of the Tasman, headlined by Vin De Dance’s victory in the 2018 edition of the Group 1 New Zealand Derby.
“We have had such a long relationship with New Zealand horses and trainers that it was a natural progression,” Henderson said.
“So many of our Group 1 winners have been New Zealand-bred horses. I think in the last three years, over 60 per cent of the horses that we have raced have been New Zealand-sourced.
“We have always relished the idea, as we have in Europe, that they do their early work in their home country and then come to Australia when they are ready. We have done that with quite a lot of horses over the years.”