This Month
‘Like he had a harem’: Racing club members in uproar over Latham
If sheer exposure could kill off a political career, Mark Latham’s would have shrivelled up years ago.
June
Winx’s ‘cheeky’ colt could beat sale record set by sibling
The champion mare’s first live foal broke a world record when the filly sold at auction in 2024 for $10 million.
WiseTech investor Michael Gregg buys three-year Everest slot
Michael Gregg, who rejoined WiseTech’s board earlier this year, has bought his new venture Mulberry Racing a slot in the big race for three years.
Pointsbet’s $400m scheme-meeting blow-up looks like a fat-finger farce
A Japanese social media company paying $400 million cash for a bitsy Australian bookmaker is not the most crazy thing about this deal.
V’landys backs Tabcorp’s Gil McLachlan in pub wagering stand-off
The wagering giant plan to scrap commissions for pubs and clubs has irked the powerful hotels’ lobby. The racing industry sees things differently.
May
Turf club turns down $5b for Rosehill, scuttling 25,000 new homes plan
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was disappointed by the result but vowed to double down and take more risks to find sites for urban in-fill in Sydney.
Barrenjoey and the $5b property deal lurches towards defeat
Bankers were deployed to help convince Australian Turf Club members to sell Rosehill racecourse.
Inside the battle for control of racing and rugby league
This week on The Fin podcast, Mark Di Stefano on the rise of Peter V’landys, one of Australian sport’s most powerful administrators, and the campaign to bring him down.
April
Dutton’s EV backflip purely about ideology
Readers’ letters on the opposition leader’s electric vehicle stance, political advertising, teal priorities, lack of Coalition policies, housing affordability, and the sale of Rosehill Racecourse.
How Peter V’landys built a property empire
Over two decades under the leadership of Peter V’landys, Racing NSW and the NRL have splurged millions of dollars on residential and commercial real estate.
Inside the plot to ‘get rid’ of Peter V’landys
In his climb to the top of racing and rugby league, Peter V’landys has broken the rules and challenged the system. But now some in the system are fighting back.
Martin Pakula’s sporting conflicts branch in a new direction
Daniel Andrews’ former offsider has added Sportsbet to his hefty workload.
February
Betr mulls revisiting controversial 100-to-1 promotion as it expands
The ASX-listed bookmaker is buying Queensland-based TopSport in its second major deal in a year, putting it “right on the heels” of major rival PointsBet.
January
Billionaire Tony Fung faces ire at champion racehorse’s bargain sale
Laws of Indices has been a great investment for its backers, including the Hong Kong businessman. But a deal to sell it for just $25,000 is causing unrest.
FX proves the secret ingredient at Magic Millions sales
The hit to discretionary spending has led to caution at the lower end this year but foreign “whales” with currency buying power have pushed sales to new records.
‘I made millions from sports betting, without ever backing a winner’
By carefully analysing reams of data and taking advantage of changing odds, Peter Webb has made a tidy sum since the easing of online gambling regulations in the UK.
December 2024
Gillon McLachlan hires former Ten executive to run Tabcorp’s Sky Racing
Jarrod Villani was a KordaMentha partner who sold the ailing broadcaster to CBS, now Paramount, before running the business for several years.
The royal who loves coming to Australia each summer
Zara Tindall first saddled up for the Magic Millions for a year. But a firm friendship with event owner Katie Page and a passion for racing keep bringing her back.
Inquiry refers Rosehill housing plan to ICAC, seeks racing probe
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys has slammed a committee in charge of the report, claiming it had become ‘personal’.
November 2024
‘Horsing heartland’: Merlin Park up for grabs for over $30m
The horse training ground outside Melbourne may could become a residential development.