Ladbrokes Leading the Way

Ladbrokes Australia has today announced an innovative owners’ incentive which has the potential to pump more than $10M in additional prizemoney into thoroughbred racing nationally.

The Ladbrokes Owners Incentive Scheme will officially launch in Tasmania on June 1 with any registered owner or owners of a horse that wins a Maiden grade thoroughbred race in Tasmania to be eligible to receive a $2000 prizemoney boost.

Discussions are underway with peak racing authorities in several other states with the ambition for it eventually to be available nationally and add a prizemoney boost to more than 5,200 eligible maiden races.

Ladbrokes Australia CEO Dean Shannon said Ladbrokes was proudly a racing led business and he was excited to see the incentive scheme launch in Tasmania.

“Horse ownership is a great experience and through the Ladbrokes Owners Incentive Scheme we plan to reward owners who invest and then have the joy of their horse winning for the first time,” Shannon said.

“Over the past few years, we have seen dramatic increases in prizemoney at the big end of town, but the cost of racing is similar no matter how fast your horse is, so that is why our focus has been very much at a grassroots level.

“We know it isn’t easy to get a horse to the track, let alone to win a race, but regardless of whether it is at Eagle Farm, Devonport or Moe, the thrill is the same. This incentive will be a little extra boost for the owners to celebrate and enjoy.

“Ultimately this is a something we would like to roll-out nation-wide, but I am thrilled that the Tasmanian thoroughbred industry, which consistently punches above its weight will be the first to benefit.

“I applaud CEO Andrew Jenkins and his team for having the foresight to engage and to roll this out for the immediate benefit of owners, who are crucial stakeholders in the racing ecosystem.

“We look forward to engaging further with other racing bodies to get this scheme firing in all states, creating an enhanced ownership experience and providing much needed financial support for owners at the entry level of racing.”

Ladbrokes is the state-wide wagering and premier partner of all racing codes and clubs in Tasmania, and Tasracing CEO Andrew Jenkins labelled the new program as a “game-changer” for racing on the island state.

“Ladbrokes has been a long-term and great partner of racing in Tasmania and the Ladbrokes Owners Incentive Scheme is yet another example of a program which directly supports the core of the thoroughbred industry,” Jenkins said.

“While the cost of owning and racing horses in Tasmania is less than many of the mainland jurisdictions, we need to constantly find ways to better support and encourage owners who are the lifeblood of the sport.

“Without horse numbers there are direct impacts on field size and wagering returns which impact the overall health of the industry and the hundreds of people it employs.

“When an owner or owners are lucky enough to get a horse to the track and to win a Maiden grade race, then this extra prizemoney will be very well received and may encourage them to take a share in another horse.”

Tasmanian trainer Gary White welcomed the initiative and said without owners there was no industry.

“Ladbrokes has been sensational in its support for the racing industry,” White said.

“It is putting back into the industry in a major way. Through this initiative that supports our owners Ladbrokes is supporting our industry.

“The people I have spoken to about the additional money being made available for maiden wins are just rapt. And I am supportive of anything that supports or improves our industry.”