NZTR form new partnership with North American Throughbred Racing Company.

[Chief Stipe]

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and 1/ST Unveil Partnership to Elevate Global Thoroughbred Racing

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) is excited to announce a transformative partnership with 1/ST, the premier North American Thoroughbred racing, gaming and entertainment company. Known for its iconic venues, including Santa Anita Park (California) and Gulfstream Park (Florida), 1/ST is a leader in modernizing horse racing by blending live racing with innovative gaming, hospitality and lifestyle experiences.

As leaders of world-class racing, hospitality and entertainment events, 1/ST is also committed to advancing racing’s global profile through cutting-edge technology and international collaboration. This partnership brings a unique opportunity to connect three prestigious racedays: Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Champions Day (March 8), alongside 1/ST’s Pegasus World Cup (January 25) and California Crown (September 27).

This collaboration will introduce "Golden Ticket" pathways, offering the winning horses direct entry into marquee races including:

From the Pegasus World Cup (25 January 2025) to Champions Day (8 March 2025):

• The US$500,000 Group 2 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (1600m) winner earns entry to the NZ$600,000 Group 1 World Pool New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).
• The US$1,000,000 Group 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf (1800m) winner gains entry to the NZ$1,000,000 Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m).

From Champions Day (8 March 2025) to California Crown (27 September 2025):

• The NZ$500,000 Rich Hill Stud Champion Middle Distance Series winner earns entry to the US$750,000 Group 1 California Crown John Henry Turf (2000m).
• The NZ$500,000 Sport Nation Champion Sprint Series winner earns entry to the US$750,000 Group 2 California Crown US$750,000 Eddie D Turf Sprint (1300m).

To further enhance the partnership, NZTR and 1/ST will cover travel and freight costs for Golden Ticket-winning horses travelling internationally to compete in the respective countries.

“This partnership marks an exciting milestone in showcasing New Zealand racing on the world stage,” commented Chief Operating Officer of NZTR, Darin Balcombe. “The Golden Ticket concept creates a unique pathway for international competition, enriching the experience for racing participants and fans alike.”

Aidan Butler, President of 1/ST, added: “This partnership with NZTR exemplifies our commitment to elevating Thoroughbred racing globally. By linking these iconic racedays and supporting international competition, we’re looking to drive innovation, collaboration and global excitement in the sport.”

Lachlan Fitt, Deputy CEO of Entain Australia and New Zealand, operators of the NZ TAB, also welcomed the announcement:

“Congratulations to NZTR and 1/ST on reaching this exciting outcome. The partnership will continue the opportunity for NZ racing to be showcased to racing fans globally and is another new pathway for NZ racing participants to consider. And through our Trackside and Sport Nation media brands, we look forward to bringing the best of US racing to our wagering customers in NZ.”

This partnership paves the way for significant growth in Thoroughbred racing across both regions, with both NZTR and 1/ST excited to build on this promising foundation moving forward.

For more information about the partnership and Golden Ticket races, contact NZTR’s Head Handicapper Bruce Sherwin by emailing Bruce.Sherwin@nztr.co.nz.

About The Stronach Group and 1/ST
The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group's 1/ST business (pronounced "First") is North America's preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group's continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company's premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); Laurel Park, The Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST's media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing's largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group's commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group's TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company's live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.

 

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing
Contact: Catlyn Calder
+64 27 252 2803
nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz

1/ST
Contact: Romilly Evans
+44 77 66 75 22 74
Rom@redknotcomms.com

[Chief Stipe]

Uh?  So a horse that wins in North America has got automatic entry into a race in NZ that is raced 6 weeks later?

Where are the quarantined training facilities?

[The Centaur]

8 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Uh?  So a horse that wins in North America has got automatic entry into a race in NZ that is raced 6 weeks later?

Where are the quarantined training facilities?

Well at least NZTR are thinking.

I suggested 10 plus years ago NZTR form partnership with Western Australia. Such a partnership would have been far more practical and derived economic savings from eliminating staff duplication and economies of scale.

[Huey]

This is beyond hilarious,  even for NZTR!

[curious]

10 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Uh?  So a horse that wins in North America has got automatic entry into a race in NZ that is raced 6 weeks later?

Where are the quarantined training facilities?

Last I knew there was a 30 day pre-export quarantine for the US and 2 weeks post-arrival quarantine which if that's right would make it unfeasible aside from being highly unlikely in the first place. I don't see the point, let alone the rationale for the commitment to costs. Hopefully someone from NZTR will explain soon.

[Doomed]

1 hour ago, curious said:

Last I knew there was a 30 day pre-export quarantine for the US and 2 weeks post-arrival quarantine which if that's right would make it unfeasible aside from being highly unlikely in the first place. I don't see the point, let alone the rationale for the commitment to costs. Hopefully someone from NZTR will explain soon.

Don't discourage the poor things.

[Doomed]

3 hours ago, The Centaur said:

Well at least NZTR are thinking.

I suggested 10 plus years ago NZTR form partnership with Western Australia. Such a partnership would have been far more practical and derived economic savings from eliminating staff duplication and economies of scale.

I have always thought Auckland should develop a sister city relationship with Port Lincoln.

[curious]

3 hours ago, The Centaur said:

Well at least NZTR are thinking.

I suggested 10 plus years ago NZTR form partnership with Western Australia. Such a partnership would have been far more practical and derived economic savings from eliminating staff duplication and economies of scale.

Yes.....but what were they thinking is the question for me. Hopefully one of our esteemed racing journalists can get to the bottom of it.

[Chief Stipe]

It kind of reeks of the Bayliss era where NZ was going to be a Global Leader in Thoroughbred Racing.