New Zealand racing gets weekly Australian free-to-air showcase with Giddy Up Saturday

New Zealand thoroughbred racing has secured a dedicated weekly live programme on Australian free-to-air television, giving the industry a regular platform to reach racing fans and grow revenue from across the Tasman.

The two-hour show, Giddy Up Saturday, airs on 7two and 7plus every Saturday from 9.30am to 11.30am Australian Eastern Daylight Time. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing describes the dedicated weekly showcase as an industry first.

Hosted by Miles Pfitzner and Mick Gannon, the programme combines live New Zealand races with interviews, industry stories and expert analysis, alongside previews of the Australian racing day.

At least five live New Zealand races will feature each week. Racing analyst Jayne Ivil will provide dedicated Kiwi updates, with a regular “Kiwi Close Up” segment introducing viewers to the horses, jockeys, trainers and people behind the industry.

The initiative forms part of NZTR’s “Wake Up with a Kiwi Bet” campaign, which aims to attract more Australian viewers and wagering customers to New Zealand racing.

NZTR chief executive Matt Ballesty said Australian punters wagered $727.4 million on New Zealand thoroughbred racing through licensed Australian operators during 2025/26.

That figure represents the amount wagered, rather than revenue received by the New Zealand racing industry.

Ballesty said Australia was already a significant market, but the industry wanted a more coordinated approach to building its audience throughout the year.

“Wagering on our racing through Australian operators generates revenue for the New Zealand industry,” he said.

“Building awareness and engagement in Australia has a direct commercial purpose and can help strengthen the funding base for racing here.”

The programme’s Saturday morning timeslot places New Zealand racing before the busiest part of the Australian racing schedule, offering an opportunity to attract attention before local meetings dominate coverage.

NZTR general manager communications and marketing Zac Reynolds said the aim was to make New Zealand racing more familiar to Australian audiences.

“We want Australian racing fans to know our tracks, recognise our jockeys and trainers, and follow our horses just as they do in Queensland or South Australia,” he said.

Reynolds said a regular television presence would bring both the racing and its participants into Australian homes, with the intention of making New Zealand events part of viewers’ Saturday routines.

Sports Entertainment Network chief executive Craig Hutchison said the programme would combine live competition with stories and analysis to help audiences understand the New Zealand racing scene.

“The Saturday morning timeslot gives Kiwi racing clear air before the busiest part of the Australian schedule,” he said.

Coverage will also extend to social and digital content across SEN’s platforms. The programme is simulcast on the SEN App and SEN Fanatic.

The initiative gives NZTR a year-round promotional platform in an established overseas market, with the commercial objective of turning greater visibility into increased engagement and wagering revenue for racing in New Zealand.

Source: New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing media release, “Giddy Up Saturday opens new doors for New Zealand thoroughbred racing in Australia”.