NZ Derby exported into planet’s biggest market

NZ Derby exported into planet’s biggest race betting market

There’ll be a first for the export of New Zealand racing this Saturday when the Telecom NZ Derby is broadcast and wagered on in Hong Kong.

The Group 1 NZ$2.2 million event will be the first New Zealand race bet on by punters in Hong Kong.

It places the NZ Derby alongside the likes of the Breeders’ Cup, Belmont Stakes, Prix de L’arc de Triomphe, Melbourne Cup and Japan Cup, which are among the select international races simulcast into Hong Kong.

The races will be broadcast and wagered on at Happy Valley and Sha Tin, as well as off-course betting branches.

Hong Kong’s betting turnover on a per race or per capita basis is the highest in the world, making this a very significant announcement for New Zealand racing.

As a guide, Hong Kong punters wagered HK$67 million (NZ$12.39 million) on last month’s Blue Diamond Stakes meeting from Caulfield.

The New Zealand racing industry receives a financial return on all overseas betting on its races and will therefore benefits significantly from this initiative.

Auckland Racing Club CEO Chris Weaver said: "It is fantastic that New Zealand's richest race, the $2.2 million Telecom New Zealand Derby, is being broadcast into Hong Kong. Having Zac Purton here to ride Corporal Jones will add to the appeal for Hong Kong racing fans while they will also be familiar with Mark Du Plessis, Leith Innes and Michael Walker who have all had riding stints there.

“We are honoured that the HKJC have decided to broadcast our flagship race as part of their Saturday coverage and look forward to providing them with a thrilling spectacle."

New Zealand Racing Board CEO, Andrew Brown said: "The industry is delighted that the Hong Kong Jockey Club is broadcasting New Zealand's richest and most prestigious race, the Telecom NZ Derby. This continues the trend of increasing the export of NZ racing product overseas in 2010, with the Karaka Million going into Singapore and Friday racing now going to America on a regular basis.”

Tabcorp-owned Sky Racing acts as the New Zealand Racing Board’s international broadcast agent providing opportunities to take New Zealand racing - and wagering on New Zealand racing - into global markets.

New Zealand racing is currently exported to Australia (all three codes), USA (thoroughbred racing one day a week), Singapore and Malaysia (selected races) and Sri Lanka (all three codes daily). South Africa will shortly take NZ harness racing.

ENDS

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