Investing
In Australia

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Rich Rewards

The experience of racing a horse in Australia is unique. It all comes down to our impressive prizemoney, which sees us host a million-dollar race every 3.5 days; the quality of racing, demonstrated by Australia hosting more of the highest-rated Group One races than any other country; and the engagement with the sport, which includes more than 100,000 people having ownership in racehorses.

Why invest in Australia?

Unequalled Returns

Our prizemoney leads the world. Australia hosts a race worth a million dollars or more every three days, with average prizemoney per race over $50,000. There is also an additional $97 million on offer through bonus schemes and overall prizemoney has risen by 45% in the past five years – by far the biggest increase of any major racing jurisdiction.

Racing Excellence

The quality of racing in Australia is unsurpassed – and this isn’t just the Aushorse view. Each season the world’s handicappers gather to rate the top 100 Group Ones, and in four of the past five years Australia has hosted more of these races than any other jurisdiction.

In fact, in 2023 we hosted 24 of these top races, leading the field. Great Britain follows with 17, the United States with 17, and Japan with 15.

Bloodstock Value

Buying the best yearling prospects is never a cheap exercise, but the Australian market offers more value than any other. Those sourcing a leading prospect from yearling sales – either a colt or filly – would have paid less here than in America or Europe in each of the past five years. And with the Australian dollar having decreased significantly in the past 12 months, 2025 offers international investors a wonderful opportunity to invest at the top end of the market.

Elite Performers

Buyers can have confidence in the product. With most major breeders in Australia offering their stock for sale, there is an opportunity to access the best families in the stud book.

This is reflected in the number of Group One-winners in the last three seasons that were available to buy as yearlings, which at 65% is higher than other jurisdictions. Recent Australian-bred Royal Ascot champions Asfoora, Nature Strip, Merchant Navy and Black Caviar were all offered at public auction as yearlings, as were champions such as Winx, Imperatriz and Hong Kong superstar Golden Sixty.

A Sport Embraced

Racing has been a key character in Australia’s story for more than two centuries. Across this island nation – in every state and territory – racing and breeding leave a large footprint. How else could a population of just 26 million support the world’s second largest thoroughbred industry?

Driving the industry are two key pillars: wagering and ownership. When it comes to wagering, Australians bet more per capita on racing than those in any other country, while there are more than 100,000 people here who have at least one share in a racehorse – equating to one in every 254.

This high level of ownership means our trainers lead the world in communication, enabling owners to be part of the horse’s journey no matter how far away they are. This is reflected in the ever-increasing number of owners based overseas.

2023 Everest winner Think About It has earned over $12 million in prizemoney

When it comes to major races – and major prizemoney – Australia is second to none. In 2024 there will be 104 races worth $1 million or greater – that’s the equivalent of one race every 3.5 days. This number has soared in the past decade, up from 21 in 2013.

The average race value in Australia is some $50,800, a hefty figure when one considers the large rural racing circuit that gives all owners – even those with an average horse – a good chance to recoup their expenses.

In fact, in the 2022/23 racing season, one in every 63 horses competing on Australian racecourses amassed career earnings in excess of $500,000.

On top of the prizemoney, there are also significant bonus schemes that reward owners. These include $64 million in state breeding schemes as well as lucrative race series run by the two major sales companies: Inglis and Magic Millions. Taken together, such schemes add $97,606,500 to owner returns.

Winner of the 2022 Manikato Stakes Bella Nipotina has amassed nearly $11 million in prizemoney

2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Pride of Jenni has career earnings of close to $9 million

“Australia is enjoying a golden age when it comes to the thoroughbred industry. We have a great funding model that gives owners a real chance to get a return on their investment and the sport has tremendous backing across society,”

Tom Reilly – Aushorse CEO

Aushorse Investor’s Guide