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Stride launches challenger platform to drive participation in horse racing ownership and wider fan engagement in the sport
Backed and developed by SportCaller founders, new syndication platform for racing outlines next-gen features and streamlined admin & comms from one responsive digital hub
Stride, the next-generation horse racing platform that truly democratises Flat racehorse syndication and deepens the ownership experience, has been launched to bring new levels in value and engagement for key stakeholders who represent the lifeblood of the sport.
Stride plans to become the premier racing communications platform that both centralises and optimises communications between syndicate owners and their respective horses, trainers, stable support staff, jockeys and racecourses. Its aim is to support, illuminate and enrich the experience of owning a thoroughbred on the journey from the purchase ring to the winner’s enclosure.
The Stride team brings together a host of familiar faces and heavy hitters from the domains of sport, racing, betting and fan-engagement technology for a clearer take on fractional ownership that delivers increased engagement against the backdrop of a progressively homogenised digital-management landscape for horse racing.
Cillian Barry and Eugene Cosgrove, founders of SportCaller – the market-leading free-to-play sports games supplier whose cornerstone clients and games were horse racing-focussed – take the reins as Chairman and Head of Product respectively, while veteran COO Donal Browne has been recruited to steward day-to-day business operations for a venture whose horses will initially be placed with Group 1-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien, whose talented string is housed at picturesque Piltown in County Kilkenny, Ireland.
However, Stride’s CEO and prime mover is former Munster and Leicester rugby star Johne Murphy, who has proven his equine and syndicate management muscle in recent years with the formation of both Rugby & Racing and Thoroughbred Racing Syndicates, the latter also attached to the O’Brien yard, whose successful track record for buying and selling equine talent and exploiting a primed bloodstock market created a dream foundation on which to build Stride’s subsequent flagship brand.
As an eloquent case in point, the business sold five of the six horses which were bought to race on the Flat in 2021 for close to seven figures, giving backers a 27% return on their investment. Stride is also part of the Techstars Sports Accelerator, a global network that assists entrepreneurial ventures in succeeding over the long-term. Founded in 2006, Techstars has now invested in more than 3,000 companies and today has a market cap of $75 billion.
Murphy continues in his multi-faceted role, also acting as Stride’s spokesperson and a passionate rudder for both thoroughbred and syndicate recruitment.
Murphy commented: “Stride is more than a responsive platform for buying and selling shares in elite-level racehorses. It’s also a way for racing to reconnect, engage and retain its most vital stakeholders: passionate owners who support the sport through times good and bad. Our fractional ownership model readily articulates the merits over micro-ownership and its associated cautionary tales, and also enables our members to choose a portfolio of racehorses that elevates enjoyment and mitigates downside at a challenging economic time across most sectors. Investors can now research, buy, manage and watch their stable of syndicated thoroughbreds at a fraction traditional ownership spends, with zero hidden costs or clawbacks. The price you pay for your share in the syndicate is the sole fee you’ll ever be asked for.
“But our unique Stride platform and its underpinning technology is also here to help owners seamlessly experience racehorse ownership at the click of a button, wherever their busy lives take them on the map. That can mean anything from what you’d expect in the simple joys of sharing the risk with friends and enjoying the raceday thrills and spills; to what you might not in the form of enhanced stable-engagement tools, or regular re-evaluations for profitable resale opportunities. No-one’s got a keener eye for acquiring and training top-class talent than Joseph, so we can’t wait to see how our first syndicated fare over the 2023 season ahead.”
“Stable visits and racecourse privileges are par for the course, alongside the clubbable craic with your family, mates and members. But it’s a long time between drinks in racing! And in racehorse ownership there should be so much more to enjoy, evaluate and benefit from experientially and analytically. Stride is the fluctuating portfolio you won’t want to put down – and the one your friends and colleagues actually want to hear about!”
Cillian Barry, Stride Chairman, added: “Having seen what Johne and Joseph achieved with their first round of syndicates, it’s a thrill to combine their passion and equine acumen for Stride with our own technical know-how around proprietary technology platforms and improved engagement. Eugene and I are already enjoying getting back to our shared first love of racing – remember, SportCaller was initially named RaceCaller!
“Stride’s next-generation informational and experiential platform already includes an array of management, administration and engagement features whose quality and variety set it apart from its rivals who have to date benefitted from a niche sector which has been slow to adopt transformative technology and the latest techniques in social engagement. We naturally aim to build on that over the coming 12 months, fostering a best-in-breed intuitive digital hub, whose array of audiovisual, editorial and data outputs will take members closer to the action than ever before. Whether your horse is fighting out a high-octane finish at the track or enjoying a well-deserved roll in the hay with the stable cat, we’ll capture and communicate it all.”
Stride’s unique operating model:
Stride purchases unraced yearlings and two-year-old breeze up horses in a price bracket from €25,000 – €150,000. This means Stride horses cover every maiden option in Ireland, facilitating multiple runners and accompanying racecourse engagements throughout the season, and granting syndicate members multiple selling points over the year. Stride typically sell shares in syndicates of between 2-6 horses. These syndicates are comprised of horses throughout the aforementioned price range. The intention is to sell within 12 months of purchase and profits returned to owners. While there are no fixed amounts for syndicate investment, a 5% investment in one syndicate would usually range from €5,000 to €50,000. The price you pay for your share in the syndicate is the only fee members pay.
The Stride platform’s features and tools include but are not limited to:
- Website, social media feeds & mobile app-centralised comms (soon to debut in the App Store)
- Syndicate management & updates (direct from both trainer and work riders)
- Yard tours and live stable-cams
- Profile pieces (from top trainers and jockeys to key stable staff)
- Gallops videos
- Racecourse workouts
- Equine interest videos (your horse, its education, its stablemates, unpacking their unique characters and idiosyncrasies)
- Equine welfare (tracking and ensuring your horse’s wellbeing)
- Easy-access group chat interaction and networking with other syndicate members
- Race preview and reviews
- Ratings, timings, form and results
- Early entries, declarations and race-shape criteria
- Up-to-the-second betting data and odds
- Live low-latency raceday streaming
- Breeding prospects / resale opportunities

Latest News
Disability Initiative Wins Inaugural F1® Allwyn Global Community Award
- First F1® Allwyn Global Community Award sees local Dutch initiative presented with the trophy and €100,000 donation from Allwyn to support its impact on the local community
- Winner has been recognised for its local community contribution through transforming event accessibility for those with disabilities
Zandvoort, Netherlands, 15:00 CET 28 August 2025: Allwyn, the multi-national lottery-led entertainment company, and Formula 1 have announced Stichting HandicapNL as the winner of the inaugural F1® Allwyn Global Community Award and a €100,000 donation from Allwyn. The donation will be used to further the winner’s positive impact – breaking down barriers by improving event accessibility. From extra facilities to offering specialised information, the foundation provides support across the entire event experience – helping the two million people with disabilities in the Netherlands and creating a more inclusive society.
The Award recognises the outstanding contributions to society that F1-linked initiatives are making in their country. Taking the international spotlight ahead of the Formula 1® Heineken Dutch Grand Prix, the local Dutch community initiative won over the panel of judges with the impressive impact that it has made not just in the world of F1, but in the wider community in the Netherlands. Over the next 12 months, the donation will enable Stichting HandicapNL to increase the number of events it supports, so that more people can access and inclusively attend from start to finish, regardless of their disability.
The F1® Allwyn Global Community Award, created as part of the multi-year partnership between Formula 1 and Allwyn, reflects a shared commitment to driving positive change and giving back to the communities in which they operate. During the 2025 season, a total of four local initiatives making a positive impact in their countries – which could include advancements in education, culture, wellbeing and sustainability – will be chosen by judges to each win a €100,000 donation from Allwyn and the chance to visit a Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Three further winners will be announced this season, with local initiatives to be recognised at the home of Formula 1 races in the US (Austin and Las Vegas) and Mexico.
Jan Karas, CEO of OPAP, part of Allwyn, and F1® Allwyn Global Community Award judge said: “Stichting HandicapNL’s impact here in the Netherlands is truly inspiring. At Allwyn, we want to bring fun and entertainment to as many people as possible – no one should have to face a physical barrier in doing so. Stichting HandicapNL’s work is not just improving accessibility for F1 fans, but is providing learnings that can be applied to different types and scales of events outside of the F1 environment.”
Emily Prazer, Chief Commercial Officer, Formula 1 said: “The F1 Allwyn Global Community Award is a perfect example of how Formula 1 can use partnerships to enact real change in the communities where it races. This unique collaboration has created a global platform to celebrate the fantastic local initiatives that go above and beyond to make a real difference. Stichting HandicapNL has helped transform experiences for many people living in the Netherlands, and the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award will help them to continue to expand their vital works and help people across the country.”
F1® Allwyn Global Community Award winner Jan Willem Koopman from Stichting HandicapNL, said: “Our ultimate goal is that it becomes commonplace for people with disabilities to access and inclusively attend a whole festival or event, from start to finish. It has been fantastic working with Formula 1 at Zandvoort to make this track as accessible as possible and, thanks to this Award, we can expand our operations. The donation from Allwyn will mean we can make four additional events more accessible, support a further six events with advice and assistance and develop new partnerships with like-minded organisations. It will also have a lasting impact in the long term, empowering even more people to attend events, challenging negative perceptions and creating a more inclusive society.”
The F1® Allwyn Global Community Award is being presented at the following Grands Prix in 2025:
- Formula 1® Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2025 – 29 – 31 August 2025
- Formula 1® MSC Cruises USA Grand Prix 2025 – 17- 19 October 2025
- Formula 1® Gran Premio De La Cuidad De Mexico 2025 – 24 – 26 October 2025
- Formula 1® Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 – 20 – 22 November 2025
The post Disability Initiative Wins Inaugural F1® Allwyn Global Community Award appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Gaming Platform, Overwolf, Sees 385% Revenue Surge in EU, Hires Activision Blizzard Vet For Expansion
Overwolf Expands European Presence with Former Activision Blizzard Executive to Accelerate Brand Partnership Growth Business has grown by 385% since entering the EU market one year ago.
Overwolf Ads, a world-leading platform empowering brands and advertisers to reach over 100 million monthly gamers, today announced the expansion of its European operations with the appointment of Adam Davis as Director of Brand Partnerships. This strategic hire supports Overwolf’s continued growth in the region and its mission to help brands engage with hard-to-reach gamers directly during gameplay.
Overwolf’s ad platform enables brands to reach gamers across premium titles like Minecraft and Fortnite, using a proprietary ad tech solution that provides advertisers with immersive yet non-intrusive placements. The company is currently ranked as the #2 biggest US Gaming Property by Comscore in terms of reach, with its influence across EMEA regions gaining momentum in 2025, now listed #3 in Germany, #5 in France, and #7 in the UK. In the last year, the company has partnered with global brands and media agencies such as Armani, Lancôme, Verizon, Pepsico, Amazon, P&G, Skoda, PHD, Publicis, Havas, dentsu, Wavemaker and Mediacom.
With more than 15 years of experience in the digital and gaming industry, Davis previously served as Group Director of Agency Partnerships at Activision Blizzard and has held leadership roles at AOL, Unruly/News Corp, and Reach plc. He played a key role in helping bring the new Xbox Ads offering to market at Activision and comes with extensive knowledge of video advertising across both gaming and traditional publisher environments. At Overwolf, he will focus on growing strategic brand relationships and developing innovative ad solutions that balance the player experience with high-impact brand engagement.
Davis joins a growing European team that has driven 385% growth in revenue in the region since Overwolf expanded into the EU market in 2024. The team has launched successful major partnerships with brands such as Müller FRijj, whose “Just Feel The URjj Challenge” activation rewarded players for embracing fun and chaos over simply winning. The unique campaign ran across major titles like Fortnite and Rocket League, using Overwolf Ads’ innovative ad technology to deliver contextual real-time messaging and rewards during humorous missions that resonated with Gen Z gamers.
“Gaming is reshaping modern entertainment. More brands than ever are looking to gaming to accelerate their marketing efforts, but one consistent challenge is accessing top-tier titles at scale,” said Adam Davis, Director of Brand Partnerships at Overwolf. “At Overwolf, advertisers can reach gamers across popular titles like Call of Duty and Fortnite, all accessible under one roof, and I’m looking forward to changing what’s possible for advertisers in the space.”
“As our European growth gains momentum, Adam’s leadership and prior experience at Activision will be instrumental in scaling Overwolf’s presence and bringing more brands into the worlds where gamers play,” commented Uri Marchand, CEO of Overwolf.
This announcement comes on the heels of Overwolf Ads’ milestone revenue achievement of doubling ad revenue from $50 million in 2023 to $100 million in 2024, continuing its trajectory as a category leader in in-game advertising.
For more information about advertising with Overwolf, please visit overwolf.com/ads
The post Gaming Platform, Overwolf, Sees 385% Revenue Surge in EU, Hires Activision Blizzard Vet For Expansion appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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SOFTSWISS Wins Best Game Aggregator Award in Latin America
SOFTSWISS wins the CGS Recife Awards 2025 for its flagship Game Aggregator, confirming its industry leadership as the largest content hub in iGaming, operating with 99.999% uptime across 24 regulated jurisdictions. Recognition in Latin America, where SOFTSWISS has achieved full product certification, further proves the product’s global dominance and commitment to delivering trusted solutions across key regulated markets.
The award recognises the best game aggregation platform in the Latin American iGaming market, celebrating leadership, innovation, and operational excellence. This recognition is especially important as it comes from Brazil, where all SOFTSWISS products have recently been certified, led by the Game Aggregator. It is the 7th international award for the Game Aggregator, highlighting the product’s dedication to delivering unmatched scale and stability.
The Game Aggregator is recognised as the industry leader because of measurable advantages that no other platform can match. Operating in 24 jurisdictions, the solution provides direct access to 35,000+ active playing games from 300+ providers with new releases appearing immediately in operators’ portfolios enabled by streamlined integrations.
Engagement features deliver proven growth. Its Tournament Tool increases average daily bets by 22% across the player base. Players who join tournaments place twice as many bets and wager 3 times more than others. Jackpot Aggregator campaigns on the Game Aggregator drive a 50% increase in turnover per user, making engagement mechanics a direct source of revenue.
The platform’s infrastructure is designed for continuous, fail-safe operation. Uptime reaches 99.999–100%, guaranteed by strict SLAs and backed with proactive system notifications. The system processes 7,000 requests and up to 100,000 database queries per second, with 99% of responses returned in under 100 milliseconds. This ensures operators never lose a session, a bet, or their players’ trust.
Beyond scale and engagement, the platform offers features that raise industry standards: AI-driven localisation for any market, deep analytics through the Ultimate Report Builder, and customisable game metadata for client-facing flexibility.
“We are honoured to receive the Best Game Aggregator Platform award at CGS Recife. This recognition shows the value of our commitment: a constantly growing game portfolio, wide market coverage, and unwavering platform reliability. For almost ten years, our team has been building a platform that not only delivers scale and stability but also drives measurable results,” added Tatyana Kaminskaya, Head of SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator.
The SOFTSWISS team will be available at SBC Lisbon 2025, Stand B160, to discuss the possibilities of the Game Aggregator.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Wins Best Game Aggregator Award in Latin America appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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