Bringing racing into the digital age

Damask Rose won the inaugural $3.5m NZB Kiwi slot race. (Image: Supplied)

Fri, 21 Mar 2025

When Damask Rose won the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi slot race at Ellerslie on March 8, nearly 40 people crowded onto the podium for the presentation.That’s because the three-year-old filly is backed by a syndicate of people who each own a sliver of the champion horse.There’s nothing like a stake in the horseflesh on the track to generate excitement, and the country’s first slot race, where entry is bought at auction, is part of a suite of initiatives by the industry to boost engagement in racing and ownership of thor...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.
Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Sport

Breakers basketball sale: Who are the Grice brothers?

Meet the siblings behind the ownership change at the franchise.

Pattrick Smellie 2:10pm

Retail

The Warehouse Group margins take hit

The retail group reported half-year earnings at the upper end of guidance.

Gregor Thompson 1:30pm

Markets Exclusive

Investor Jim Grenon challenges NZME board on dividend excesses

PLUS: NZME reveals talks it was having with rival publisher Stuff are on hold.

Rebecca Stevenson 1:00pm

Investor Jim Grenon challenges NZME board on dividend excesses

Sponsored

The new face of luxury Scotch: Harrison Ford, the Traitors castle and an E-Type Jag

Harrison Ford’s Glenmorangie campaign breaks all the rules.

Glenmorangie Whiskey

Sponsored

Mastering market swings

ETFs can be a "smart" way to build a long-term, diverse portfolio.

Smart

More Technology

Markets

‘Absolute nose dive’: Spark trades under $2

Spark's share price has fallen below $2 for the first time since January 2012.While Thursday's 5.54% drop to $1.96 was due to going ex-dividend, Salt Funds managing director Matthew Goodson said it’s been a painful couple of years for the telco's shareholders. “In fac...

Staff reporters 20 Mar 2025