In today's Straight Shorts, we have the latest from PointsBet on betr's updated takeover offer, Bet365 linked to possible sale, Maher eyes French breeze-up auction and Spirit Of Boom stays at same fee for 2025.

Maher
Will Bourne and Ciaron Maher are heading to France for the annual Arqana Breeze-Up Sale. (Photo: Bronwen Healy - The Image is Everything)

Latest betr proposal poses more questions than answers for PointsBet

PointsBet says it wants further clarification on the latest proposal from wagering suitor betr.

After acquiring a 20 per cent stake in PointsBet earlier this week, betr revealed plans to find the $360 million to launch a successful takeover bid of its rival.

Betr confirmed it has secured $120 million in finance from NAB and will conduct a $130 million equity raise to underwrite the deal.

They also identified $40 million in synergies from a potential merged business and have sourced a non-binding offer from a buyer - Hard Rock Digital - for PointsBet’s Canadian business.

“The PointsBet board is in the process of evaluating the proposal with the assistance of external advisers,” a PointsBet statement said.

“In this regard, PointsBet has sought clarifications from betr in relation to aspects of the proposal that are fundamental to a proper understanding of it.”

Japanese company MIXI is the PointsBet board’s preferred buyer.

The billionaire family behind global wagering firm Bet365 is considering a sale of its online gambling behemoth that could value the business at $A37 billion.

The company, headed by Denise Coates, has held talks with Wall Street banks and US advisers in recent weeks, according to UK media outlet The Guardian.

A full or partial sale are both on the table, the report said.

Informal discussions explored options for a potential sale, including a medium-term plan to float the business on a US stock exchange.

One option includes a partial sale to a private equity investor, with the Coates family retaining a stake before listing. It could also see a spin-off of part of the business, rather than a full listing.

In recent years, Bet365 has expanded into the US, capitalising on a sports betting boom.

It occupies around 5 per cent of the online betting market in Australia. 

Maher turns attention to French breeze-up scene

Ciaron Maher has confirmed he will be among the buyers at the prestigious Arqana Breeze-Up Sale in France.

Maher and his stable’s head of bloodstock Will Bourne will fly to Europe next week for the sale at Deauville from May 8 to May 10.

The sale will showcase 192 two-year-olds, featuring progeny from some of the top stallions in both Europe and the US.

In 2024, Maher purchased La Botte, a son of Too Darn Hot who was set to contest a Listed race at Newmarket on Friday (GMT+1).

La Botte is trained at Newmarket by Harry Eustace and Maher said he plans to follow a similar path with his next purchases before they join his stable during the 2026 spring.

Boom steady at Eureka

Champion Queensland stallion Spirit Of Boom will remain at his fee of $38,500 (inc GST) for the upcoming 2025 breeding season.

Eureka Stud confirmed that its marquee stallion, who recently notched 100 winners for the season for the fifth straight campaign, would stay at the same fee he has been at for the past two seasons.

Spirit Of Boom has had four stakes winners this Australian season taking him to 29 overall.

Barnmate Don Corleone stays at $13,200 (inc GST) having served 132 mares in his first season at stud.

Encryption, the sire of stakes winners Encoder and Cifrado, has had his fee drop to $9900 (inc GST) from $11,000 last season.

Flying Bandit steals Wagga Wagga Gold Cup

Flying Bandit underlined his promise with a successful graduation to stakes company in winning the Listed Wagga Wagga Gold Cup.

Backing up after racing at Randwick last Saturday, Flying Bandit came from midfield before holding off the Albury-trained Bianco Vilano in the $200,000 race.

Flying Bandit now boasts a record of seven wins from 13 starts but trainer Kerry Parker says the best is still to come from the four-year-old.

“He’s always promised a lot but he was always slow to learn. Let’s put it that way,” Parker said.

“He's been a bit tricky along the way, getting his confidence up and doing the job.

“I’ve sort of kid-gloved him and got him along and this prep is about ‘OK let’s see where you are at now’.”

Flying Bandit started the $4.60 favourite and the son of Trapeze Artist had a half-length to spare over Bianco Vilano ($9) with Matusalem ($6) three lengths away third.

Lindsay Park receives Racing Victoria retraining approval

Lindsay Park Racing has joined Racing Victoria’s retrainer program in a move that underscores the premier stable’s long-standing commitment to welfare and the rehoming of retired racehorses.

As part of RV’s statewide network of Acknowledged Retrainers, Lindsay Park is now recognised for its expertise in the aftercare of the thoroughbred.

Several of the stable’s stars enjoy their retirement years as companion horses on the Hayes’ 1500-acre private training facility in Euroa, while others are carefully rehomed to existing owners.

Lindsay Park’s rehoming team, led by the operation’s racing veterinary and spelling manager Yvonne Divers, is focussed on giving every retired horse the best opportunity to thrive in its post-racing life. 

“At Lindsay Park, we’ve always cared deeply for every horse we train. Whether they’re Group 1 winners or maidens, each horse matters to us,” Divers said.

“Being accepted into the Acknowledged Retrainer Program by Racing Victoria is a natural step forward. 

“It allows us to bring the retraining process in-house and stay involved beyond the racetrack.

“Now, we can personally oversee their transition into life after racing. We’re proud to ensure every horse receives the care, attention, and loving homes they truly deserve.”

Third Graff winner a Gem

Kitchwin Hills’ Graff marked his third winner as a sire with the victory of Gemologist at Muswellbrook on Friday.

A gelding trained by Mark Minervini, Gemologist relished the heavy track to win a 1000-metre maiden under jockey Aaron Bullock, seeing off the $1 million Zoustar colt Jet, who was also on debut.

Gemologist, a homebred for Lorraine and Steven Middeldorp, is out of Encosta De Lago mare Tangerine.

He joins QTIS Jewel winner Grafterburners and another Muswellbrook winner, Telling, as winners by the sire.

Big punters dropping off British racing

British racing has reported a 9 per cent drop in turnover in the first quarter of 2025, with suggestions tougher regulation is deterring some higher-staking punters from betting or possibly moving them to unlicensed operators.

The British Horseracing Authority releases a quarterly report tracking key indicators, including field sizes, wagering, race fixtures, horse population and prize money.

While conceding that adverse racetrack results may have impacted turnover in the first three months when compared to the same period last year, the BHA’s director of racing, Richard Wayman said there was evidence that larger punters were stepping away.

“Looking more closely at the decline, it is interesting to note that the average turnover per race at a Core Fixture has fallen by 14.4 per cent, whilst at a Premier Fixture it has remained unchanged,” Wayman wrote.

“This suggests changes in the profile of customers betting on racing with some of the larger higher-staking customers either betting less or moving to unlicensed operators where they can avoid the checks that are routinely required within the regulated markets.”

The BHA did report a growth in the number of recreational punters betting on racing.

“Such customers are more likely to focus on our higher profile fixtures and races, albeit their activity does not make up for the loss of the larger-staking bettors,” he said.

The number of racegoers fell 16,000 from 682,385 to 666,069 but was attributable to where Easter fell in 2025.

The horse population as of the end of March was down by 1.9 per cent compared with the same date in 2024, falling from 15,359 to 15,070. 

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