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The Victorian trots industry is looking beyond Australian shores in a search for valuable extra revenue streams.
And in France, home of the world’s greatest trotting race the Prix d’Amérique, Victoria has found a valuable source of income.
The state’s umbrella body, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV), has fostered the relationship with the French pari-mutuel PMU and from 28 Victorian races so far broadcast into France the French punters have wagered almost €4 million.
To further bolster Victoria’s push into France, HRV has re-scheduled race meetings, providing France with Monday night trots meets that are starting and finishing later locally.
“It is obviously a valuable revenue stream for HRV, and we are very grateful to our participants for their support of the initiative to date,” HRV wagering manager Ryan Stanaway said.
“It has required some changes to our schedule, which the industry on the whole has embraced, and now the broader benefits for Victorian trots are evident.”
Following the most recent exported meeting on February 15, the French export of races saw an aggregate turnover of more than €4 million for the year to date (almost AUD$6 million), for an average of over €139,000 (AUD$212,000) per race.
The meeting held at Tabcorp Park Melton on February 8 has proved to be the biggest to date with more than €740,000 (AUD$1.1 million) wagered on the last four races of the night.
The races have also proved popular with local punters, with Victorian TAB turnover on the meetings exceeding expectations.
The races are broadcast via the French racing vision provider with the support of Harness Racing Victoria’s broadcast partner, Sky Racing, and are wagered on through the French pari-mutuel PMU.
“The results for the year to date are extremely pleasing. To generate almost $6 million in additional turnover for our code without adding new fixtures is a terrific outcome,” Mr Stanaway said.
“It’s also a great sign that Victorian trotting is well respected globally and hopefully this will lead to further opportunities to showcase our product in the future.”
French punters will become even more familiar with Victorian trotting action, with a minimum of 44 races scheduled to be beamed into France for the remainder of 2016.
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