Wagering firm Tabcorp is set to expand its international thoroughbred offering, completing a deal to bring Turkish racing to an Australian audience.
In a joint venture with a prominent United States racing content provider, Tabcorp will broadcast thoroughbred events staged by the Jockey Club Turkiye (TJK) from early 2025.
Tabcorp, which will deliver Turkish racing on its Sky Racing platforms, says it will offer pari-mutuel and fixed-odds betting products on TJK meetings.
It has joined forces with 1/ST CONTENT, a United States company that manages the content rights, data, odds and broadcast signals on behalf of a broad portfolio of global partners.
“It’s a partnership that underlines our ongoing dedication to corralling more top-quality racing, this time from Turkiye, a country boasting a rich history with thoroughbred racing,” Tabcorp chief operating officer Paul Carew said.
The TAB – Tabcorp’s wagering arm – will be the first Australian operator to offer both vision and betting on racing from Turkiye.
“Sky Racing continues to strengthen its position as Australia’s passport to the best international racing, and this new deal eloquently demonstrates that point,” Carew said.
A fully owned subsidiary of Tabcorp, Sky Racing imports and broadcasts more than 72,000 international races each year.
TJK chief executive Tuncel Aydin said his jurisdiction would complement Tabcorp’s global programming while allowing the local racing industry to boost its income streams.
“We’re thrilled to have added our exclusive Turkish content to this all-encompassing gateway for the finest assemblage of worldwide racing,” he said.
“We have already been impressed by the accuracy and reliability of 1/ST CONTENT’s betting technology and comprehensive international distribution, so they were our supplier of choice to enable this partnership which will drive growth and diversified revenues for our own domestic racing.”
The Gazi Derby is Turkiye’s most prestigious event and according to the Asian Racing Federation, more than 740 meetings and 5700 races are held yearly for thoroughbreds and purebred Arabians.
Turkiye has 10 racecourses, a training centre, seven stud farms and covering stations and more than 2800 off-course betting shops.
Epaulette, a stallion well-known to Australian fans as the winner of the 2012 Group 1 Golden Rose when racing under Shiekh Mohammed’s Darley banner for trainer Peter Snowden, has stood in Turkiye since 2022.
Also resident in Turkiye is Kluger, who was runner-up to Winx in her final start in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and Myboycharlie, who spent several years in Australia at Vinery and Bowness Stud.
A familiar face in Turkiye’s training ranks is Umut Odemislioglu, who made a name for himself in Australia as the strapper of Winx.
Odemislioglu returned to Turkyie in 2022 and trained a Group 2 winner this year.
Tabcorp announced earlier this year that it had formed an alliance with Arena Racing Company (ARC), Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and 1/ST CONTENT, bringing together a network of rights holders that will distribute content across multiple international markets.
