As always we like to copy in the monthly newsletter from Entain – I like to take particular note of the Turnover figures, which pleasingly, continue to rise as does the number of “active” NZ customers and the info in the newsletter re the increase in the Aussie betting on our racing is also of significance
Welcome to the Entain Edition for January 2026, covering off the past two months of what is always a busy time of year in the industry.
This Entain Edition comes to you hot off the back of the TAB Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie on Saturday, and what a meeting it proved to be.
There was the perfect blend of outcomes – ranging from Australian-trained horses Dream Roca and Jigsaw winning to ensure the meeting stays on the radar of our Australian cousins, Well Written’s stunning six-length $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO victory, or the brilliant surface prepared by Jason Fulford and his team despite more than 150 millimetres of rain in the week prior.
All those elements combined to contribute to a 5% increase in turnover through TAB and betcha on Saturday, compared to the 2025 TAB Karaka Millions. Notably, there were 35% more Australians betting on the meeting through Entain’s two Australian brands, as opposed to the 2025 meeting.
Australian eyeballs will be focused on this side of the Tasman again in early February, with Australian presence at Te Rapa for the Group 1 BCD Sprint, and Boxing Day winner Kingswood being aimed at the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Classic. When an opportunity arises to showcase New Zealand’s best racing, it’s important to deliver like the industry did on Saturday.
International focus on Ellerslie through World Pool
After World Pool made its first appearance in New Zealand last year, the TAB Karaka Millions meeting on Saturday took betting on the meeting to another level.
Powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, World Pool accepts bets from the HKJC’s overseas partners, creating the deepest and most liquid pari-mutuel pools for international top races.
With customers from at least 25 participating countries and regions around the world wagering into a single pool, World Pool hosted betting on all six races at Saturday’s meeting, ensuring a 71% uplift in turnover on the meeting. The TAB Karaka Millions 2YO was the stand-out performer, with an 11% increase on last year’s edition.
It was a big weekend for World Pool fixtures, with the Al Maktoum Challenge Day at Meydan and the Centenary Sprint Cup & Stewards Cup’ meeting at Sha Tin also covered.
World Pool returns to Ellerslie for New Zealand Derby Day aka Champions Day on Saturday, 7 March.
Wi-Fi trial in action over summer
As I shared with you in November’s Entain Edition, one of our summer focuses was the roll-out of a Wi-Fi trial across some of our more remote tracks in terms of connectivity.
A lot of those tracks were in action over the Christmas and New Year period, so it was pleasing to see some racegoers jump onto the free Wi-Fi network during their day at the races.
As Entain’s Chief Media Officer Christopher Haigh explains in this trackside.co.nz article, each track comes with its own characteristics, so in some instances, there is coverage across the racecourse, whereas with others, there are Wi-Fi Zones set up in key areas around the course.
Racegoers love to be connected whether betting on the races or not, and the Wi-Fi solution does give punters the choice of betting through on-course operators or digital platforms.
The results from the trial, which uses the latest technology available through Starlink to deliver this solution, will be reviewed and finetuned ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Well Written powers towards The NZB Kiwi
The competition was fierce, so the team at Entain was beyond excited last month to confirm that Well Written will run in our TAB slot in the 2026 running of The NZB Kiwi. The daughter of Written Tycoon has captured the public’s imagination with her unbeaten streak extending to five after her dominant TAB Karaka Millions performance on Saturday.
The journey alongside trainer Stephen Marsh, Dylan Johnson Bloodstock and part-owners Yulong Investments has been a lot of fun already through her Boxing Day win in the Group 1 Auckland Guineas, and Saturday’s success, and we can’t wait to tell more of the story behind Well Written and her connections in the coming weeks.
One of those stories is already available, with this enlightening look into the rise and rise of Stephen Marsh with some insightful input from some of his mentors. Click on the image below to learn more.
‘Upon The Land We Stand’ series rolls out
The first few episodes of Upon The Land We Stand have hit mainstream TV screens. In this six-part series, host Kylie Bax connects to the rich cultural heritage of New Zealand’s equine industry. Against the stunning backdrop of our country, she explores the deep link between the land, the people, and the horses that define us.
The series includes an insight into trainers, owners, veterinarians, rehomers and retrainers in both the North and South Islands. A new episode of Upon The Land We Stand premieres each Saturday night at 7pn on Sky Open. If you don’t currently have a Sky account, you can still use Sky Go to watch Sky Open (free-to-air) content by creating an account.
Entain team profile
Name: Adam Hamilton
Role: Group Head of Racing & Talent
Time with Entain: 4.5 years
Racing/sports interests:
Racing is not just work but a lifelong passion. I was a racing journalist (print, radio and TV) for most of my career. I’ve had shares in many gallopers and harness horses over the years; the best would be a couple of former Kiwi horses in Blackie and My Bentley.
Although Melbourne-based, I love New Zealand racing and have been to more than 30 New Zealand Cup Weeks.
What excites you about the strategic partnership?
For me, it feels personal. My association with NZ started with my first trip across the ditch way back in 1993 to watch the great Chokin win the NZ Trotting Cup.
Through my media career I worked as a guest presenter on Trackside countless times and made so many lifelong friendships in racing and the media.
To work for Entain when the partnership came together just felt so right. And now to play an active and passionate role in bringing it to life, especially through Trackside’s coverage, is immensely rewarding.
For me, the amazing transformation in Trackside and how it’s a world leader in covering racing now is just awesome.
The race event I’m most looking forward to?
Nothing will ever top NZ Cup Week for me, in this part of the world. And I’m an Aussie saying that. The 2025 Cup Week was up with the best of all time for energy and engagement. It really felt like the glory days of Cup Week.
TAB Karaka Millions has become something special, the NZB Kiwi is vitally important and untapped, the Kaikoura Cup is a bucket list for everyone, and Cambridge’s Night of Champions is epic too.
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Fortuna Owners Day – Sunday 8th February 2026 – Special Guest Des Coppins – Des is a great speaker and raconteur and we look forward to his observations on the current state of NZ Racing and the ongoing challenges
