In today's Straight Shorts, New Zealand Bloodstock mixes up its format for the 2026 Karaka National Yearling Sale, Tabcorp targets in-play markets, a big deal for Frankie Dettori and a new stallion and a refurbished track for South Australia.
New sale schedule for New Zealand Bloodstock
New Zealand Bloodstock has made changes to the format of its 2026 Karaka National Yearling Sale, the country’s 100th edition.
The company will conduct a two-day Book 1 sale comprising about 580 yearlings on January 25 and 26 before another 290 horses go under the hammer the following day in Book 2.
A Book 3 session of about 200 yearlings, to be sold on January 29, will round out NZB’s national sale, with the timing of the third Book sale allowing a day for buyers to undertake inspections after the Book 2 sale.
“Our goal is to assemble the very best line-up of yearlings, validating our annual yearling harvest as the flag bearing sale for New Zealand breeders with the cream of the crop on offer,” New Zealand Bloodstock managing director Andrew Seabrook said.
“While the condensed Book 1 and Book 2 (sessions) will be full days of selling, the format will be highly advantageous from an international buyer’s perspective. They want to be away from home for as little time as possible during what is an extremely busy sales calendar.
“The introduction of the third session is to ensure we have a complete offering for both vendors and buyers, boosted by some attractive sales terms and a $200,000 Karaka Millions bonus.”
“The 100-year anniversary is truly an exciting occasion. We are thrilled to be celebrating such a milestone on behalf of the wider industry and are looking forward to producing one of the best catalogues seen in New Zealand.”
Entries for the National Yearling Sales Series open in June, while details for the National Online Yearling Sale are in discussions, with the timing of that session to be confirmed shortly.
Tabcorp’s in-play venue betting plan
Tabcorp has confirmed that it will roll out in-play, in-app venue betting through a trial in New South Wales over the coming months.
The initiative was revealed as part of a presentation by Tabcorp CEO Gillon McLachlan at the Macquarie Australia Conference on Tuesday, which outlined the renewed strategy of the publicly listed wagering giant.
In an attempt to leverage its retail betting exclusivity through most of Australia, Tabcorp plans to make betting in-play during sports events more straightforward.
Tabcorp said it has received regulatory approval in New South Wales for those people utilising in-venue mode to place in play bets on sport via the TAB app.
Currently, betting in-play involves either utilising a self-service betting terminal, betting over the counter or utilising a call centre.
Various bookmakers have tried ways of making it easier for customers to bet in play, but regulators have cracked down on aspects like fast codes and voice to bet technologies.
In-play betting is seen by some in the wagering industry as a significant opportunity for growth in turnover.
While sports betting is seen in some quarters as a competitor to racing, the knock-on impact for the racing industry could see a boost in revenue via additional Point of Consumption tax returns.
Dettori joins Stake
Australian-owned global wagering operator Stake has secured Frankie Dettori as its latest global ambassador.
Dettori, who has won 287 Group 1 wins across a career spanning more than three decades, is one of the most recognisable faces of global racing and was a key player in the recent Netflix series Race For the Crown.
“I am really excited to be working with Stake and to be part of such a refreshing and dynamic team,” Dettori said. “They are a hugely recognisable name within sport and work with some of the biggest athletes and teams, so I am looking forward to coming onboard and seeing what is next!”
Stake, a $5.6 billion business owned by Australian-based pair Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, has built a huge international profile via its platform, with much of that growth driven by cryptocurrency wagering.
Among its sports portfolio is F1 team Kick Sauber, named after the parent company EasyGo’s global streaming platform.
This represents the company’s first major step into a horse racing ambassadorship role.
“Frankie is one of the biggest names in horse racing history, but more importantly than that, he is also a name that transcends sport,” said Akhil Sarin, Chief Marketing Officer at Stake.
“His career achievements and personality are unmatched in the racing world and we are thrilled to welcome him on to the Stake roster.”
Tarzino to lead Westbury roster
Tarzino, the sire of this season’s New Zealand Derby winner Willydoit, will stand for an increased fee of NZ$25,000 and head the Westbury Stud stallion roster in 2025.
The sire of three new stakes winners this season, Tarzino’s fee was upped from NZ$20,000, while rostermates El Roca (NZ$10,000), Redwood (NZ$10,000), Reliable Man (NZ$10,000), Swiss Ace (NZ$5000) and Ferrando (NZ$5000) have also had their 2025 fees set.
“We are very proud of the ongoing achievements of our stallion roster, and these fees reflect our commitment to offering high -performing stallions at value fees, while maintaining the highest standards in service and support for breeders,” Westbury general manager Russell Warwick said.
“The racetrack success of the horses we breed, and that of our stallions in general, is a priority allowing breeders to achieve success in both the sales ring and at the winning post.
“Westbury’s sires continue to play a key role in shaping the future of Australasian racing.”
Willydoit, who was trained by Shaun and Emma Clotworthy in New Zealand to win four of his seven starts, joined the Ciaron Maher stable after the gelding’s fourth in the Australian Derby at Randwick on April 5.
Strasbourg to stand in South Australia
Adelaide Plains Bloodstock has acquired young stallion Strasbourg to stand in South Australia after the loss of Valentia last spring.
After the death of Valentia, who died suddenly in September, Adelaide Plains’ Ben Leverink began making calls about finding a replacement, with I Am Invincible’s son Strasbourg the eventual answer.
Strasbourg, the sire of 10 winners from 43 runners including Group 3 SAJC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Colmar, stood his first five seasons at Rosemont Stud in Victoria.
"He's a Racing SA Rewards horse through and through - he gets them young, they race on a bit and they can get over a little bit of ground," Leverink told Racing.com.
"If he gets a reasonably nice book of mares I can see him giving the Racing Rewards SA program a bit of a shake.
"He's going to stand for $5000 but we will give a good discount for anyone that wants to pay with a positive 45-day scan."
Port Augusta back on track
Port Augusta is ready to return to racing this Sunday for the first time in 2025 after a substantial track resurfacing.
The traditional April return of racing at the South Australia track was delayed by the works but the new surface was given the all clear after jumpouts were staged on the track on Monday.
Stewards inspected the track and deemed it suitable and safe for a return to racing.
“We are grateful for the support, hard work, and patience from our community and Racing SA, who made these improvements possible.,” Jeff Tansell, Port Augusta Club Manager, said.
“A special mention of gratitude must be directed towards our amazing volunteer group, who have managed a significant workload in a timely manner. We're thrilled to see racing return and to welcome everyone back to our beloved track."
12-month disqualification for Stein
Albury trainer Martin Stein has been disqualified for a year after being found guilty of three charges relating to the euthanasia of a four-year-old mare American Kestrel at trackwork last month.
American Kestrel sustained a catastrophic pelvis injury on April 11, a little more than four months after she was diagnosed with a fracture of the medial sesamoid bone.
It was after the diagnosis of the injury at Wagga trainer Michael Travers’ stables that Stein agreed to take on the horse.
Racing NSW stewards found Stein guilty of failing to provide treatment in accordance with veterinary advice to American Kestrel between December 7 last year and April 11 and that he committed an improper action by starting to train the mare on March 12 without undertaking the required repeat scans to ensure the fracture was healing.
Stein was also found guilty of failing to comply with the protocols under racing rules relating to horses returning from extended layoffs or injuries.
He was disqualified for 12 months for each of the first two charges, with the penalties to be served concurrently, while he was fined $1500 for the third offence, which was suspended for a period of two years.
Stein will be eligible to apply for his licence again on May 13 next year.
