New Zealand Racing Calendar for 2024-25 Season Features Strategic Changes

The 2024-25 New Zealand racing calendar will feature key strategic adjustments across the equine codes, following a partnership between TAB NZ and Entain Australia and New Zealand. The optimized calendar includes an increased number of meetings and races, an enhanced feature racing schedule, and a collaborative approach between TAB NZ, Entain, and the three racing codes.

The upcoming season will have a total of 995 meetings, comprising 300 thoroughbred, 288 harness, and 407 greyhound meetings. This represents an addition of 27 planned race meetings compared to the current season. The total number of individual races will also rise to 10,291, an addition of 394 races.

One of the notable changes in the thoroughbred racing calendar is an increase of 27 Sunday meetings, including 14 double thoroughbred meetings on Sundays. The summer feature calendar for thoroughbred racing has also been modified.

Harness racing will see significant adjustments, with 46 extra licenses granted for the 2024/25 season. An additional 36 meetings will be run on Tuesdays for lower stakes. Addington and Alexandra Park will run together on Friday nights on 35 occasions next season, as part of the newly introduced 'Friday Night Lights' initiative where harness racing will aim to consistently own the Friday night slot. The changes also include increased harness racing in the North Island, with the Auckland Trotting Club receiving 45 dates, 14 more than the current season.

Greyhound meetings will largely remain the same as the current season, with 407 meetings planned.

Why this matters: The strategic changes to the New Zealand racing calendar aim to foster the growth of the industry and expand the wagering customer base of the TAB NZ and Entain partnership. The collaborative approach between stakeholders seeks to reinvigorate racing patterns, optimize venue use, and pursue new revenue opportunities for the benefit of the entire racing community.

TAB NZ Chairman Mark Stewart emphasized that the changes were designed to balance various factors, including club interests, operational capabilities, and the pursuit of new revenue opportunities. Harness Racing New Zealand Chairman Phil Holden expressed confidence that the partnership with Entain and the calendar changes would "breathe fresh life and confidence into harness racing" after years of zero growth and decline.

Key Takeaways

• 2024-25 NZ racing calendar features strategic adjustments across equine codes.
• Total of 995 meetings, up 27 from current season, with 10,291 individual races.
• Thoroughbred racing sees 27 more Sunday meetings, including 14 double meetings.
• Harness racing gains 46 extra licenses, 36 more Tuesday meetings, and Friday night slots.
• Changes aim to foster industry growth, expand TAB NZ and Entain's customer base.