Network logo Network logo Network logo

The Race

Race Details

Date: Barfoot & Thompson Champions Day - March 2026
Race Distance: 1500m
Conditions: 3YO restricted race, set weights and penalties
Starters: 14
Prizemoney: Base prizemoney of $4m in 2026, increasing to $4.5m by 2027. An additional $1m of bonuses will also be available each year.

Ellerslie Racecourse

The Venue

The NZB Kiwi was run at Ellerslie Racecourse, New Zealand’s premier race track, which recently underwent a $55 million track upgrade that included the installation of a StrathAyr surface.

As the showpiece of New Zealand’s racing industry, Ellerslie has long played host to many of the industry's most iconic racedays and races, including the SkyCity Christmas Carnival and the TAB Karaka Millions. In 2025, a new highlight was added to the calendar with the introduction of Barfoot & Thompson Champions Day in March, featuring the Trackside New Zealand Derby, the historic Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup, and the inaugural running of The NZB Kiwi.

Visit Ellerslie

New Zealand Bloodstock

Race Sponsor

New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) stands at the forefront of the international Thoroughbred industry, renowned for its excellence in breeding, sales and racing. NZB's iconic Karaka Sales Centre is based in Auckland and is the premier destination for sourcing high-quality bloodstock, attracting buyers and racing enthusiasts from around the globe. NZTR is thrilled to partner with NZB for the first edition of the country’s first-ever slot race and of course, the Southern Hemisphere's richest three-year-old race. 

Visit NZB

NZB KIWI PRIZE MONEY DISTRIBUTION

  March 2025 March 2026 March 2027 $1m Bonus Pool $175k Bonus Challenge (2025 only)
Base Prizemoney $3,500,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $1,000,000 $175,000
Winner $1,200,000 $1,200,000 $1,200,000 $600,000 $100,000
2nd $575,000 $600,000 $600,000 $250,000 $50,000
3rd $375,000 $450,000 $450,000 $150,000 $25,000
4th $250,000 $350,000 $375,000    
5th $200,000 $275,000 $300,000    
6th-14th $100,000 $125,000 $175,000    

 

NZB KIWI ELIGIBLE HORSES

The NZB Kiwi will celebrate the best of New Zealand’s world-class breeding industry and showcase the premier three-year-olds in the land. The NZB Kiwi is for three-year-olds only that are any of the following:

(i) bred in New Zealand, as determined by NZTR in accordance with the New Zealand Stud Book and Register of Non Stud Book Mares Regulations (as published from time to time by NZTR); or

(ii) prior to the horse's three-year-old season:

a. Is sold through the ring at a Thoroughbred sale (including online sales) conducted by New Zealand Bloodstock Limited or online by its subsidiary, Gavelhouse Ltd: or

b. Is passed through the ring at any such sale and is sold within 30 days of the sale at not less than the price at which the horse is passed-in; or

(iii) conceived in New Zealand.

Within these criteria, it is then entirely up to the Slot Holder on which horse they select for their slot. Horses can be trained in any location (including internationally) and it will be the responsibility of the Slot Holder/connections of the horse to arrange transportation for the race.

FAQs

Slot races differ from all other races in that to secure a starting position, an individual (or a company) must buy their ‘slot’ in the race.

In the case of The NZB Kiwi, each slot has a minimum reserve price of NZ$450,000 (+ GST if any) and there are 14 available. The purchase fee for the slot covers the slot entry fees for the first three years of the race.

The Slot Holders (as they’re known) can then either nominate their own horse for the race or negotiate with another horse owner to run in the slot for a share of the prize money.

The Race Committee will, in its absolute discretion, declare four eligible horses to be included in the final Emergency Pool for the Race.The declaration of emergency runners for The NZB Kiwi will be a list and not an order of entry in the event of a scratching.

Yes, NZTR will assist the Slot Holder in contacting the team at NZB Airfreight to ensure their horse travels to New Zealand safely to contest The NZB Kiwi. New Zealand equine airfreight company, NZB Airfreight, offers weekly trips from Australia - departing from Sydney and Melbourne. No quarantine is required for horses exported from Australia to New Zealand. NZB Airfreight has a full range of routes and pre-export information available at NZB Airfreight. 

The NZB Kiwi has a total of 14 slots available in the race, with nine slots offered during a Slot Auction held on 27 February 2024 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Sales Centre.

Slots were also made available on a first-right-of-refusal basis to New Zealand racing Clubs that are hosting Bonus races for The NZB Kiwi. These are foundation partners of The NZB Kiwi including, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, Waikato Thoroughbred Racing, RACE Inc. and Canterbury Jockey Club.

Further, NZTR will auction a one-year Slot at NZB's 2024 Ready to Run Sale of Two-Year-Olds, with 50% of the Above Reserve Fee ($125k) being donated to charity. 

Yes, Slot Holders will be able to lease their slot for a maximum of one year at a time, subject to the approval of NZTR.

Slot Holders will not be able to sell their slots. More information about slot ownership and leasing of slots is available to view in NZTR’s Slot Holder Agreement Terms. 

A Slot Holder will have a right to enter a new slot holder agreement for future editions of the Race beyond 2027, on NZTR’s terms (including any changes to slot fees and prizemoney). Any slots not renewed will be re-auctioned or distributed at NZTR’s discretion.

Information Pack

For full race information and Slot Holder initiatives, click the link below. 

download
Terms and Conditions

Download The NZB Kiwi Race Terms and Conditions by clicking the link below. 

Download
Slot Auction

There were plenty of fireworks in the Karaka sales ring at the inaugural NZB Kiwi Slot Auction, with all nine lots up for grabs far exceeding their $450,000 reserve.

Results
NZB Kiwi Contact

Emma Thompson
NZB Kiwi - Programme Lead

Contact Emma