The TAB Eureka - The Eureka Race Discover Greatnessᵀᴹ is the world’s richest race for Standardbreds, with prize money and bonuses worth $2.1 million.

The TAB Eureka is a “Slot Race” created by Harness Racing Australia (HRA) as a flagship, high-stakes event designed to excite, energise and modernise the sport of harness racing – driving unprecedented publicity, interest and commercial investment.

In the context of a “Slot Race”, the “slot” refers to an automatic entry/starting position within the race. In this instance, The TAB Eureka.

These “slots” are sold as licenses, with the “slot” owner entitled to start whichever eligible horse they determine in the Race.

The TAB Eureka is a race for 3 & 4 year old Australian Bred Standardbred pacers who are authorised to race in Australia. Only those horses meeting this criteria are eligible to be nominated to start in the Race.

Australian Bred means the progeny of a Mare registered in the Australian Trotting Stud Book and domiciled in Australia when served by a Stallion who is also registered in the Australian Trotting Stud Book at the time of that service.

A registered Standardbred horse with its gait recorded as a pacer in the official records.

No. The eligibility relates to the horse itself, and not to any of the other connections.

Slot Licences cost $100,000 per year and must be purchased for a 3-year consecutive term.

The TAB Eureka is limited to 10 starters and as a result, there are only 10 slots available.

The TAB have been allocated 1 slot as part of their naming rights partnership of the race, leaving 9 slots available.

Aside from a Wagering Service Providers and associated entities (TAB has exclusivity due to naming rights partnership), virtually anyone.

Slot Holders can be individuals, partnerships, company’s, organisations, members, industry bodies, associations, syndicates, charities, breeders, mates etc…

They could also be a mixture of some or all of the examples above.

No. Slot Holders can be any nationality and be domiciled anywhere.

Slots are an essential feature of the event. Therefore, due to both the magnitude of investment and expectations that they widely advocate the objectives of the event, Slot Holders also become important collaborative partners in decisions and event promotion.

Slots are not allocated automatically. Slot Holders must apply through a application process which will include the bona fides of the applicant(s) (including all persons and organisations involved), their motivation for purchasing a slot, details of how they can promote the event and a willingness to enter, and abide by, a formal license (slot) agreement for 3-years.

The Slot Application process opens on 1 June 2022 and all applications must be received no later than 5pm (AEST) on 1 August 2022.

An independent selection panel with extensive experience in: integrity and regulatory; legal; and, commercial functions; will consider the applicant submissions, undertake appropriate due diligence and provide recommendations to the HRA Executive.

There is no guarantee at this point and consideration to the next series will be undertaken by HRA in due course

There is a right to transfer the Slot to another person or entity, but it must be to another eligible entity or person, and will require the approval of HRA before doing so. If this is not followed, the Slot may be forfeited without compensation.

Slot Holders are expected to pay the full 3-year Fee ($300,000) within 90-days of being offered a Slot.

A Slot Holder is not compelled to nominate their own horse for the race.

Only Australian Bred Standardbred pacers (see earlier definition) are eligible to be selected to start in The TAB Eureka by a Slot Holder.

A Slot Holder may own a horse that they nominate to participate in the race using their slot, or negotiate with the connections of other eligible horses to start that horse in their slot.

It is possible. For example, a Slot Holder may own a number of eligible horses, either outright or in partnership or syndicates with others. They may elect to nominate one of these horses, while another Slot Holder negotiates to nominate another.

The sale of Slots, as with transfers, needs to be approved by HRA prior to being executed. Full disclosure is required, including the Sale price. If sold at a higher price than the original Slot value (pro rata), then 50% of the gross profit is payable to HRA.

There is no limit or requirement. This is purely a decision based on negotiation between the Slot Holder and the connections of eligible horses.

Saturday, 2nd September 2023 at Tabcorp Park Menangle.

The race is for 3 & 4 year old Australian Breed Standardbred pacers.

The field limit is 10.

There is a preferential barrier draw on age and sex.

The distance will be 2300m.

Competing horses may be subject to Retention Barn procedures in the lead-up to the race.

The TAB Eureka is worth a $2.1 million race in combined prizemoney and bonuses.

The winner will receive $1,000,000.00.
The remainder of the breakdown is as follows:
2nd - $400,000
3rd - $200,000
4th - $100,000
5th - $55,000

There are also additional bonuses of:
• $100,000 Breeder bonuses, with $10,000 paid to the Breeder of each horse that starts in the race
• $30,000 for the 1st Colt to cross the finish line

Slot Holders can nominate the horse starting in their “slot” anytime up until 7-days prior to the race.

Yes, as long as the horse meets the eligibility criteria.

A number of (horse) Emergencies will be selected by a Panel of experts independent of the Slot Holders, and released following the closure of the nomination timeframe set out above. These horses will be selected having taken their prior and current form into consideration and allocated in order that they must be taken in the event of a late scratching.