Bonus Races

Bonus Eligible Races

New Zealand and Australia

In addition to the base prizemoney of The NZB Kiwi, an additional $1 million in bonuses will be available each year to the winners of a number of iconic New Zealand races in the lead up to the 7 March meeting (1st - $600,000; 2nd - $250,000; 3rd - $150,000). With the bonus component, the winner of The NZB Kiwi could take home $1.8 million in total prizemoney.

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    
Saturday 8 November 2025 Group 1 Barneswood Farm 53rd New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m)  Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park    
Saturday 15 November 2025 Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 53rd New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m)  Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park    
Friday 26 December 2025 Group 2 Shaw’s Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas (1400m)  Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse     
Saturday 3 January 2026  Group 2 Levin Classic (1400m)  Wellington Racing Club at RACE Trentham    
Saturday 24 January 2026 Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse     
Saturday 24 January 2026 Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m)  Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse    
Saturday 7 February 2026  Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m)  Waikato Thoroughbred Racing at Te Rapa Racecourse    
Saturday 21 February 2026  Group 3 Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m)  Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse    

 

2026 Bonus Pool Qualified Horses

La Dorada (NZ)

Te Akau Racing filly La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) claimed the first $1 million Bonus Eligible race on the road to the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). La Dorada powered to victory in the $550,000 Group 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at RACE Trentham. She was purchased by David Ellis CNZM from Waikato Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka 2024 Book 1 Sale for $190,000.