The NZB Kiwi (1500m) is set to make history as it introduces a new era in New Zealand’s Thoroughbred racing scene. With over $4.5 million in stakes and bonuses, this exciting new race - modelled after global successes like Australia’s Everest - brings fresh energy, international interest and a substantial prize pool to the domestic industry. 

Now coined the Southern Hemisphere’s richest 3YO race, the NZB Kiwi is set to take place at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s inaugural Champions Day meeting. With nearly $10 million in stakes on offer, including four of New Zealand’s most iconic Group 1 races, the meeting now positions itself as a pinnacle event on the Australasian racing calendar.

But beyond the financial rewards, the NZB Kiwi is anticipated to stimulate a host of broader benefits for the industry, including the potential to attract global interest and reinvigorate Thoroughbred racing as a sport to the wider mainstream. At a time when New Zealand racing has previously faced a range of challenges, the race stands out as a beacon of change, driven by innovation and backed by major industry players.

The competition is already heating up, with Waikato Stud making a bold statement as the first Slot Holder to officially declare their runner for the race. The powerhouse Thoroughbred nursery has chosen Sought After (NZ), a promising gelding trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, to represent them. Sought After is a true-blue product of the Matamata nursery as a son of Waikato Stud stallion Tivaci and the Savabeel mare, Popular.

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 first, $250k for second and $150k for third. 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. 

So far, qualifying bonuses have been claimed 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®. The Bonus Eligible race schedule is listed below: 

• Saturday 6 April 2024: Group 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at RACE Trentham - Won by Move To Strike (AUS) [Not eligible]
• Saturday 26 October 2024: Group 2 Callander Presnell Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick - Won by Prost (AUS) [Not eligible]
• Wednesday 30 October 2024: Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Aroha Racecourse - Won by Savaglee (NZ)
• Saturday 2 November 2024: Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington Racecourse - Won by Aeliana (NZ)
• Saturday 9 November 2024: Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park
• Saturday 16 November 2024: Group 1 Barneswood Farm One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park    
• Saturday 11 January 2025: Group 2 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic (1400m) at RACE Trentham
• Saturday 25 January 2025: Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie Racecourse
• Saturday 25 January 2025: Group 2 Cambridge Stud Alamanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie Racecourse
• Saturday 8 February 2025: Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa Racecourse    

Alongside the $1 million Bonus Pool, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has introduced a $175k NZB Kiwi Bonus Challenge to reward foundation Slot Holders’ early support. For the 2025 edition, once a Slot Holder nominates their runner, that horse can earn points by placing in the top three in any race leading up to Champions Day. The top three horses with the most points will share the $175k bonus: $100k for first, $50k for second and $25k for third.

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. The slot will go up for bidding at 5pm during NZB’s welcome party for key vendors and buyers 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.