New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) is excited to announce a transformative partnership with 1/ST, the premier North American Thoroughbred racing, gaming and entertainment company. Known for its iconic venues, including Santa Anita Park (California) and Gulfstream Park (Florida), 1/ST is a leader in modernizing horse racing by blending live racing with innovative gaming, hospitality and lifestyle experiences.

As leaders of world-class racing, hospitality and entertainment events, 1/ST is also committed to advancing racing’s global profile through cutting-edge technology and international collaboration. This partnership brings a unique opportunity to connect three prestigious racedays: Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Champions Day (March 8 – featuring The G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes, named after legendary 1987 Australian Horse of The Year Champion and NZ Hall of Famer, Bonecrusher) alongside 1/ST’s Pegasus World Cup (January 25) and California Crown (September 27).

This collaboration will introduce “Golden Ticket” pathways, offering the winning horses direct entry into marquee races including:

From the Pegasus World Cup (25 January 2025) to Champions Day (8 March 2025):

• The US$500,000 Group 2 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (1600m) winner earns entry to the NZ$600,000 Group 1 World Pool New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).
• The US$1,000,000 Group 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf (1800m) winner gains entry to the NZ$1,000,000 Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m).

From Champions Day (8 March 2025) to California Crown (27 September 2025):

• The NZ$500,000 Rich Hill Stud Champion Middle Distance Series winner secures a Golden Ticket to the US$750,000 Group 1 California Crown John Henry Turf (2000m).
• The NZ$500,000 Sport Nation Champion Sprint Series winner earns entry to the US$750,000 Group 2 California Crown US$750,000 Eddie D Turf Sprint (1300m).

To further enhance the partnership, NZTR and 1/ST will cover travel and freight costs for Golden Ticket-winning horses travelling internationally to compete in the respective countries.

“This partnership marks an exciting milestone in showcasing New Zealand racing on the world stage,” commented Chief Operating Officer of NZTR, Darin Balcombe. “The Golden Ticket concept creates a unique pathway for international competition, enriching the experience for racing participants and fans alike.”

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Aidan Butler, President of 1/ST, added: “This partnership with NZTR exemplifies our commitment to elevating Thoroughbred racing globally. By linking these iconic racedays and supporting international competition, we’re looking to drive innovation, collaboration and global excitement in the sport.”

Lachlan Fitt, Deputy CEO of Entain Australia and New Zealand, operators of the NZ TAB, also welcomed the announcement:

“Congratulations to NZTR and 1/ST on reaching this exciting outcome. The partnership will continue the opportunity for NZ racing to be showcased to racing fans globally and is another new pathway for NZ racing participants to consider. And through our Trackside and Sport Nation media brands, we look forward to bringing the best of US racing to our wagering customers in NZ.”

This partnership paves the way for significant growth in Thoroughbred racing across both regions, with both NZTR and 1/ST excited to build on this promising foundation moving forward.

For more information about the partnership and Golden Ticket races, contact NZTR’s Head Handicapper Bruce Sherwin by emailing [email protected].

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149th Preakness Stakes Purse Increases to $2 Million to Kick Off Series

$5 Million Challenge Coast-To-Coast Pick’ Em Challenge Sweepstakes Connects 1/ST Premier Events

1/ST, the innovative brand behind North America’s most prestigious thoroughbred horse racing, entertainment and wagering events, has announced a $25 million dollar racing and incentive series connecting Preakness 149, The California Crown and the 2025 Pegasus World Cup.

Kicking off at Preakness 149, 1/ST’s three premier race days will feature more than $12.5 million in elevated purses and $7.5 million in incentives for both dirt and turf participants. 1/ST is offering a $5 million bonus in addition to the respective purses to the owner(s) of the horse who wins the 149th Preakness Stakes (GI), The California Crown (GI) and the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (GI). For turf stars, 1/ST will award a $2.5 million bonus, added to the elevated purses, to the connections who win the Dinner Party Stakes (GIII), The California Crown John Henry Turf (GII) and the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (GI).

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Preakness 149 celebrations, taking place on May 18 at Pimlico Race Course, will mark the inaugural races in this new series. The 149th Preakness Stakes purse will increase to $2 million and the Dinner Party Stakes will increase to $500,000, making Preakness 149 race day the most lucrative in the event’s history with a total of $3.3 million on the line. The decision to elevate the purses for the 149th Preakness Stakes and for the Dinner Party Stakes reflects 1/ST’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and growing the thoroughbred horse racing industry to usher in a new era for racing in Maryland.

On September 28, The California Crown will debut at Santa Anita Park for a reimagined opening day experience for the track’s 2024 fall meet. The California Crown will replace the Awesome Again Stakes for three-year-olds and up and will be run on 1 1/8 mile offering a $1 million-dollar purse. The $750,000 California Crown John Henry Turf along with the $750,000 California Crown Eddie D Turf Sprint (GII), taking place on Santa Anita Park’s famed downhill turf course featuring American racing’s only right-hand turn, will add to the excitement of what will be California’s richest day of racing.

Since 2017, the Pegasus World Cup has become the premier luxury event in the sport and has set the standard for the modern thoroughbred horse racing experience. The 2025 Pegasus World Cup, to be held on January 25 at 1/ST’s Gulfstream Park, will feature the coveted $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational and the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational. The live broadcast of the Pegasus World Cup – horse racing’s hottest party – will feature the presentation of the potential $7.5 million in bonuses for any owner(s) who manage to achieve this remarkable feat.

In its continued effort to engage the next generation and provide game-changing opportunities for existing customers, 1/ST is putting up $5 million for a Coast-To-Coast Pick’ Em Challenge sweepstakes to successfully pick the first four finishers of each race, in order, for the 149th Preakness Stakes, The California Crown and the 2025 Pegasus World Cup Invitational. The challenge is free to enter through the innovative 1/ST Bet app. If there is no perfect winning entry, the entry with the most overall correct selections will win a $100,000 cash prize.

“My team and I continue to believe and invest in the modernization of thoroughbred horse racing with a commitment to the highest level of international safety standards and horse care as we continue to elevate our already industry-leading wagering, entertainment and hospitality programs,” the Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer for 1/ST, Belinda Stronach, said. “To back this up, 1/ST is adding to the legacy of the Preakness by increasing the purse, creating a new marquee race event for the majestic Santa Anita Park – The California Crown – and continuing to build on the phenomenal success of the Pegasus World Cup. We’re proud to work with incredible partners who share our vision and see the future of world-class thoroughbred racing combined with unique and elevated guest experiences.”

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“The $25 million in racing purses and bonus incentives available for Preakness 149, The California Crown and the Pegasus World Cup including a $5 million sweepstakes for bettors and fans shows our commitment to innovation and excellence in thoroughbred racing,” the President for 1/ST, Aidan Butler, said. “Providing lucrative opportunities for owners and bettors while also delivering exceptional entertainment experiences is our speciality.”

1/ST’s industry-leading horse care and safety protocols including increased veterinary oversight will be strictly enforced throughout the new racing series under the leadership of Dr Dionne Benson, Chief Veterinary Officer for 1/ST Racing.

For more information and to purchase tickets to Preakness 149, visit www .Preakness. com or @ PreaknessStakes on social.

To stay connected on The California Crown, visit @ CaliforniaCrownOfficial on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube and @ TheCaliCrown on Snapchat. Tickets for California Crown go on sale in the spring 2024.

For more information on the Pegasus World Cup, visit www .PegasusWorldCup. com or follow on social @ PegasusWorldCup.

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