Entain Australia boss Dean Shannon has blamed an increase in taxes and fees paid by Australian bookmakers as the primary reason for a decision to close the ownership aspect of Ladbrokes Racing Club.
The club, launched in 2023, offered Ladbrokes customers an opportunity to experience what it is like to be an owner with an array of raceday packages and options.
Ladbrokes built a stable of horses from the thoroughbred and harness racing codes and also ventured into greyhound racing.
Under the Entain banner, the club was an active buyer at thoroughbred yearling sales in Australia and New Zealand as it partnered with prominent breeding operations, including Newgate.
Warwick Barr
“Unfortunately, the club is not immune to the rising cost of operating pressures currently affecting the wagering sector,” Shannon said.
“The increasing product fees and taxes in Australia along with the rising cost of racing has forced tough decisions to be made regarding these extra initiatives.”
While the club itself will continue, the bloodstock within it is expected to be sold off over the coming months.
The TAB Racing Club in New Zealand will remain unaffected and continue to be active.
Table Of The Day - Australia’s best sires ranked by winners-to-runners
Darley’s Too Darn Hot is currently the leading sire when it comes to the highest percentage of winners-to-runners this season (more than 30 winners).
Data from Arion shows Too Darn Hot, who did not shuttle to Australia in 2024, going at 46.27 per cent winners-to-runners, clear of Yarraman Park’s Hellbent and Coolmore’s Justify.
Leading sires by winners-to-runners percentage in 2024/25 Australian season (more than 30 winners)
Festival of Racing launched as Group 1 action returns at Caulfield
Co-trainers Will and JD Hayes have helped launch the 2025 Festival of Racing as expectation builds around the return to racing of Lindsay Park’s weight-for-age warrior Mr Brightside.
The twins, who train alongside their brother Ben, were front and centre at their Flemington operation to discuss the all-conquering stable’s autumn prospects in the countdown to the CF Orr Stakes meeting at Caulfield on Saturday.
Mr Brightside is a warm favourite to claim successive Orr Stakes to put him on course for another All-Star Mile success.
The Orr winner earns automatic entry to the All-Star Mile which will be decided at Group 1 level for the first time this year.
A $2.5 million race, the All-Star Mile will be run alongside the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 8.
A wonderful morning at @lindsayparkrace with @RacingVictoria to officially launch the Festival of Racing🤩 pic.twitter.com/7XAolERBKP
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) February 6, 2025
Other changes to Victoria’s autumn program will include the addition of the lucrative Victorian Owners and Breeders Raceday which moves from an April timeslot.
The curtain comes down on the Festival of Racing on Saturday, March 29 at Flemington with the running of the Australian Cup (2000m) - which for the first time will be held three weeks after The All-Star Mile.
In between, Moonee Valley will play a key role hosting four consecutive Friday night meetings and the Group 1 William Reid Stakes on Saturday, 22 March.
WA ramps up illegal gambling penalties
Western Australia’s state government has substantially increased the penalties for breaches of gambling laws.
The key reforms, sparked by the findings and recommendations of the Perth Casino Royal Commission, passed through parliament this week.
The Royal Commission found that legislation regarding all types of gambling needed to be modernised to be fit for purpose.
Among the changes are increased sanctions for failure to comply with gambling laws and directions issued by the Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWC) as well as better integration of the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Gambling and the National Policy on Match-Fixing in Sport.
"The law reform is designed to significantly expand the regulator's compliance and enforcement powers and increase the penalties to ensure they are an effective deterrent to non-compliance,” Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia said.
Gaming and Wagering Commission Chair Gary Dreibergs welcomed the reforms which he said would disrupt illegal gambling in WA.
“The extra powers for the GWC will help to significantly boost our ability to carry out successful investigations and prosecutions to stamp out illegal activity, which often attracts money launderers and organised crime gangs,” he said.
