To be eligible for a share in the $1 million bonus pool, a horse must win one of the various Bonus Eligible iconic New Zealand races, and also run a top-three placing in The NZB Kiwi held on Champions Day (7 March 2026).
The initial list of New Zealand Bonus Eligible races is outlined below.
2026 NZB Kiwi Bonus Eligible Race Schedule
Date |
Race and Distance |
Club and Venue |
Winner |
Trainer |
Saturday 28 March 2025 |
Group 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) |
Manawatu Racing Club at RACE Trentham |
La Dorada (NZ) |
Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson |
Monday 27 October 2025 |
Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) |
Waikato Thoroughbred Racing at Te Rapa Racecourse |
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Saturday 8 November 2025 |
Group 1 Barneswood Farm 53rd New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) |
Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park |
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Saturday 15 November 2025 |
Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 53rd New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) |
Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park |
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Friday 26 December 2025 |
Group 2 Shaw’s Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas (1400m) |
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse |
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Saturday 3 January 2026 |
Group 2 Levin Classic (1400m) |
Wellington Racing Club at RACE Trentham |
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Saturday 24 January 2026 |
Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) |
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse |
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Saturday 24 January 2026 |
Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) |
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse |
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Saturday 7 February 2026 |
Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) |
Waikato Thoroughbred Racing at Te Rapa Racecourse |
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Saturday 21 February 2026 |
Group 3 Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) |
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse |
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