Industry Facts & Figures

Thoroughbred Industry Facts & Figures

The racing industry (tri code) has a value added contribution to the GDP of $1.483 billion – same size as the fishing industry. Thoroughbred racing is responsible for 73% of this total.
Each year the NZ racing industry generates more than $130 million in export sales.
Approximately 24,000 people are direct participants in the thoroughbred industry as employees, breeders or owners.
Approximately 15,000 are directly employed in the thoroughbred industry.
Approximately $500million in wages and salaries is generated by the thoroughbred industry.
Customers spend approximately $34million as a result of attending thoroughbred racing in NZ, including spending on wagering and food and beverage.
There are 68 racing clubs in NZ, with approximately 16,500 members.
There are 51 racetracks in NZ hosting a total of 300 meetings per year.
Total NZ prize money $37million with the average prize purse per race approximately $13,000.
There are 24 Group One events staged in NZ each year and 66 in Australia.
The NZ breeding industry consists of 200 stallions and 8,900 mares with a foal crop of approximately 4,700.

NZ bred horses in the international arena

NZ Bred Runners In Australia

The Australian racetracks are the shop window for the NZ breeding industry. It is imperative we have successful representation in Australia creating awareness and profile.
There were 1657 NZ bred runners in Australia in 2009/2010, or 5.2%.
During this time NZ breds won 11 out of the 67 group one races in Australia, or 15%.
Waikato Stud bred horses won one of these 11 group one races (Metal Bender).
In 2009/2010 Waikato Stud bred horses won 9.1% of the group one races won by NZ bred horses in Australia.
Waikato Stud is consistently NZ’s leading breeder in Australia.

NZ Bred Runners In Hong Kong

With the resurgence of the Hong Kong economy, NZ bred runners achieve ongoing success. NZ horses are winners at the most elite levels in Hong Kong and this is reflected in the impressive Hong Kong International Sale results for NZ sourced lots plus the strong purchasing power from Hong Kong in the tried horse market and at the local yearling sales. There exists an increasing perception in the value for money represented by NZ bloodstock, and rightly so.

In 2009/2010 NZ breds made up 36% of runners yet won 38.5% of all races.
New Zealand was the leading source of Group One and black-type winners with four and seven respectively counted here.
In 2009/2010 Waikato Stud owned and based stallion O’Reilly is 3rd on the Hong Kong sire’s list therefore increasing awareness and respect for NZ based sires.

NZ Bred Runners In Singapore

During 2010, New Zealand was the equal leading source for Group One winners (3)
In 2010 NZ breds made up 38.5% of runners yet won 42.8% of all races.
NZ breds enjoy regular success at elite levels in Singapores growing thoroughbred market.
In 2009/2010 Waikato Stud owned and based stallion Pins is 3rd on Singapore's sire’s list.

NZ Bred Runners In Macau

During the 2009/2010 season new Zealand was represented by 249 horses. This accounted for 40.2% of the horse population and for 40.8% of all wins.
In 2009/2010 Waikato Stud owned and based stallion O’Reilly is 3rd on Macau's sire’s list and certainly has increased awareness there.
In 2009/2010 Waikato Stud owned and based stallion Pins is 6th on Macau's sire’s list

Other Key International Markets

Europe - ‘Starcraft’ became a dual Group One winner in Europe – he is the first NZ bred horse to win group one events in this part of the world. Starcraft was bred, raised and sold by Waikato Stud.

Japan - 14 horses ran in Japan and three of these horses have won seven races.

Korea - there were 58 New Zealand bred runners during the 2009/2010 (1.8%) and 24 of these horses won 30 races.