Dear Trainers and Owners,
The NZB Kiwi (1500m) is set to introduce a new era in New Zealand racing. With over $4.5 million in stakes and bonuses, the race aims to boost domestic racing with a significant prize pool and attract international attention.
Alongside the base prizemoney of the NZB Kiwi, an additional $1 million in bonuses is up for grabs each year across several iconic New Zealand and Australian lead-up races, with allocations for the bonus pool split as follows: $600k for 1st, $250k for 2nd and $150k for 3rd. With this added bonus, the NZB Kiwi winner could claim up to $1.8 million in total prizemoney next March.
Four qualifying races have been run to date for the $1 million NZB Kiwi bonus pool, which requires that a horse wins one of the designated New Zealand or Australian races and places in the top three in the NZB Kiwi.
Notably, any horse can participate in these Bonus Eligible races without being nominated for the NZB Kiwi, making this pathway especially attractive for Trainers or Owners who may look to partner with one of the 14 NZB Kiwi Slot Holders.
BONUS ELIGIBLE RACE SCHEDULE 📆
Saturday 6 April 2024: Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at RACE Trentham – Won by Move To Strike (AUS) [Not eligible]
Saturday 26 October 2024: Gr.2 Callander Presnell Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick – Won by Prost (AUS) [Not eligible]
Wednesday 30 October 2024: Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Aroha Racecourse – Won by Savaglee (NZ)
Saturday 2 November 2024: Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington Racecourse – Won by Aeliana (NZ)
Saturday 9 November 2024: Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park
Saturday 16 November 2024: Gr.1 Barneswood Farm One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park
Saturday 11 January 2025: Gr.2 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic (1400m) at RACE Trentham
Saturday 25 January 2025: L. TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie Racecourse
Saturday 25 January 2025: Gr.2 Cambridge Stud Alamanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie Racecourse
Saturday 8 February 2025: Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa Racecourse
So far, qualifying bonuses have been run on both sides of the Tasman, with top-performing three-year-olds Savaglee (NZ) and Aeliana (NZ) winning their respective races. Savaglee indicated he is right on track with a stunning performance in the Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Aroha for Trainer Pam Gerard and Owner The Oaks Stud. Meanwhile, Chris Waller-trained filly Aeliana now has the NZB Kiwi bonus in her sights after kicking off the Melbourne Cup Carnival with a dominant performance in the Gr.3 Channel 9 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
Looking ahead, Canterbury Jockey Club will offer the winning connections of the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas® the first option to negotiate use of its slot in the 2025 NZB Kiwi. If they decline, the option will pass to the connections of the eligible winner of the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas®.
WANT TO BECOME A PART OF
NEW ZEALAND RACING HISTORY?🏇
To offer Trainers or Owners of top-tier three-year-olds a chance to participate in the NZB Kiwi without a three-year commitment, NZTR will auction a single slot for the 2025 edition of the race.
The auction will be held on Tuesday 19 November, on the eve of NZB’s 2024 Ready to Run Sale, with 50% of the Above Reserve Fee ($125k) donated to charity (Rodney Animal Rescue). The slot will go up for bidding at 5pm during NZB’s welcome party at the Karaka Sales Centre.
For more information about the slot auction or general NZB Kiwi enquiries, contact emma.thompson@nztr.co.nz or visit thekiwirace.nz.
