Cover image courtesy of Ellerslie
On Tuesday, amidst the revitalisation of the summer carnival in New Zealand, an exciting opportunity emerged for interested parties to obtain a slot in the inaugural The Kiwi, the innovation poised to ascend as the Southern Hemisphere’s richest race for 3-year-olds.
Nine of the 14 slots were offered in a first-of-its-kind auction in the Southern Hemisphere on Tuesday evening at the Karaka sales complex, attracting fierce competition; all nine were sold, highlighting the renewed life, Entain, TAB NZ and New Zealand Bloodstock have breathed into the local industry.
Starting with a reserve of NZ$450,000 (plus GST), incredibly, the auction netted NZ$6,225,000 and a top price of NZ$725,000. A full list of successful purchasers will be available within 24 hours but among those confirmed and eager to be part of the action was Entain, who secured a slot for NZ$700,000.
The event
The Kiwi will be held over 1500 metres, and horses bred in New Zealand or graduates of the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale series are eligible to compete. The Kiwi will have a base prizemoney of NZ$3.5 million in the inaugural running in 2025, which will increase to NZ$4.5 million by 2027. An additional NZ$1 million in bonuses will also be available each year.
Beckoning the finest New Zealand-bred or sold talent to test their mettle on the recently renovated grounds of Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand. The Kiwi is proudly supported by New Zealand Bloodstock, TAB NZ and Entain.
Scheduled for the month of March annually, The Kiwi emerges as a beacon of aspiration, drawing the attention of racing enthusiasts and industry luminaries alike.
Entain strike
For all the reasons outlined, Entain NZ and its CEO Cam Rodger was eager to be involved from the outset.
Rodger spoke to The Thoroughbred Report immediately after the slot auction where Entain purchased a slot for NZ$700,000 and described the atmosphere of the sale, “The auction was held in the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka sale ring. They fully kitted it out with the Kiwi colours and they used a couple retired champion gallopers with saddle cloths on to come through the ring.
“It was awesome. Created a really fantastic atmosphere.”
Cam Rodger | Image courtesy of Entain
It was fireworks from the first slot offered, achieving a figure of NZ$700,000.
“The bidding was really interesting. We kicked off with a figure of NZ$700,000 and every slot onwards went between NZ$675,000 and NZ$725,000, which was the top price paid.
“It would have averaged around NZ$700,000, which is honestly a huge result and a vote of confidence in the innovation.”
Talking to The Thoroughbred Report, Rodger also shared how Entain came to be major players in the New Zealand landscape.
“It was very exciting. We got the chance to be involved in New Zealand in 2022 when TAB NZ started running a process to find a partner. The team at Entain loved it from the start, New Zealand had it all going on; consistently producing top-class horses and the depth and quality of horsemen and horsewomen here is outstanding.
“It was very exciting. We got the chance to be involved in New Zealand in 2022 when TAB NZ started running a process to find a partner. The team at Entain loved it from the start, New Zealand had it all going on; consistently producing top-class horses and the depth and quality of horsemen and horsewomen here is outstanding.” - Cam Rodger
“It just needed some support and a new way of thinking potentially from a wagering partner. We really just saw it as an opportunity, and we are so thrilled by the reception from a few small initiatives.
“Entain hasn’t even really got on the pitch yet there is still a lot of stuff we are trying to change from a wagering point of view, but we are so buoyed by how much traction we have got from some early moves.
“I think tonight (Tuesday) illustrated the renewed confidence. I believe a couple of years ago if you were to have done this and set the reserve at NZ$450,000 you wouldn’t have got people involved.
“The opportunity to be involved in New Zealand racing and a new innovation like The Kiwi is amazing and there’s still plenty of innovations and opportunities to come.”
Finding a horse!
Now that Entain has secured its slot for the inaugural The Kiwi, arguably the hardest part is next - picking a galloper to represent it in the race.
“We actually launched an initiative recently called the TAB Racing Club and we purchased a bunch of yearlings from the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
“The dream is to eventually have one we race through that scheme compete in The Kiwi. That won’t happen in 2025 because the race is limited to 3-year-olds.
“But our customers will still get an ownership experience with those horses, and they potentially be options for later years.
“So, for the inaugural The Kiwi we will be looking for a horse to race in our slot and we’ll do the deal with the connections like everybody else.
“The hunt starts pretty early, and we actually had a scan through tonight (Tuesday) to see who missed out on a slot and we might start a few conversations about options to flag going forward.
“Hopefully we can capture the imagination of the public and be part of the industry in New Zealand.”
“Hopefully we can capture the imagination of the public and be part of the industry in New Zealand.” - Cam Rodger
Looking ahead
With the renewed vitality in New Zealand and even some Australians more than keen to secure a spot in The Kiwi, Rodger admitted they had to push the budget more than expected to obtain a slot at NZ$700,000 but outlined that can only be viewed as a positive for the New Zealand thoroughbred industry.
“I really didn’t think we’d have to push to NZ$700,000. Entain had a budget that actually ended up being far lower than what we paid. Luckily Lachie Fitt, who is our Deputy CEO and CFO, was sitting next to me because we had to do a couple of emergency increases, to be honest with you.
“We never dreamed it would go that high but I don’t want to blow the trumpet of New Zealand too much here, but I really do think it is a reflection of confidence in the industry at the moment.
The Kiwi will be run at Ellerslie Racecourse | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery, Race Images
“As I said earlier, to have trainers and other participants put out that outlay for the next three years that wouldn’t have happened maybe even seven or eight months ago because it would have been too much.
“But we’re in a good spot at the moment, and I think the participants can see the direction of travel and want to be involved and in play for three years. Even if it costs us a little more than expected but we are happy to see people confident and wanting to be involved.
“It’s a bit of a pro-pro for us to be involved in The Kiwi and New Zealand. From our investment we are getting a lot of happiness. It might not be enough to cover costs yet, but we are expecting in a few years for it to be humming.
“It’s a bit of a pro-pro for us to be involved in The Kiwi and New Zealand. From our investment we are getting a lot of happiness. It might not be enough to cover costs yet, but we are expecting in a few years for it to be humming.” - Cam Rodger
Rodger added some insight into the five slots not offered at the auction on Tuesday evening.
“Five slots were held back. Four of them belong to the regional clubs and also clubs that will host lead-in races for The Kiwi that will be part of the bonus scheme. NZTR are also holding a slot back, not for themselves but they are exploring the option of running a promotion that could encourage the public to be involved.”
