Horse racing in Australia and New Zealand is on course to significantly boost its global profile courtesy of two exciting developments powered by modern technology.
The first of these will be delivered in collaboration between two of the biggest names in the racing sector – Spotlight Sports Group (SSG) and the Racing Post.
SSG is a world-leading technology, content and media company specialising in sports betting, while the Racing Post is famed for its innovative media coverage of the sport.
They have now teamed up to provide betting partners worldwide with ‘Spotlights’ and ‘Verdicts’ for horse racing fixtures in Australia and New Zealand.
The content will be a valuable resource to punters who have traditionally been left to their own devices when wagering on racing from those jurisdictions.
Betting companies across the globe will be able to utilise the information, which can be seamlessly integrated into any platform via an application programming interface (API).
Spotlight Sports Group Global B2B Sales Director, Rob Black, says the company is thrilled to have the opportunity to boost the profile of the sport in Australia and New Zealand.
“Our team dedicates continual effort to enhance our capabilities, recognising the impact ‘Verdicts’ and ‘Spotlights’ have on engaging prospective bettors and aiding their decision-making process,” Black said.
“We know that Racing Post content is the most trusted resource in the industry for racing bettors and this expansion of coverage provides bettors with insight on more races than ever before.
“Prior consumer research has shown that 92 percent of customers prefer Racing Post content over alternatives in the market, which makes this content offering that much more exciting.
“We look forward to witnessing the content in action and further expanding our racing coverage globally.”
The link-up between SSG and the Racing Post is not the only major news to impact Australian horse racing, with the sport set to receive another notable global boost.
World Pool, a technology-based system powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), is set to be active at five new race days in Australia this year.
These include Blue Diamond Stakes Day at Caulfield Racecourse (February 24) and Australian Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse (March 30).
Tancred Stakes Day at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse (March 30), Doncaster Mile Day at Randwick Racecourse (April 6) and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day at Randwick (April 13) complete the list.
The events already generate massive turnover on horse betting sites in Australia, but will now produce even greater revenues for the gambling industry worldwide.
There will be a total of 21 World Pool fixtures in the first half of the year including major events in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, South Africa, United Kingdom and Ireland.
All five days of Royal Ascot (June 18-22) will also be covered, further boosting the profile of a meeting which already attracts significant interest in overseas markets.
Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director of Wagering Products at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, says he is delighted to widen the scope of the World Pool for 2024.
“Australia was a strong area of growth in 2023, with several major race days towards the end of last year run as World Pool events for the first time,” Fitzsimons said.
“We’re delighted to be deepening that connection with five new race days in the first six months of 2024, while two new South African fixtures and the addition of the English and Irish 1000 Guineas further strengthen our offering to global punters this year.”