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New Zealand has a long and storied history in Thoroughbred breeding and racing and has a track record of producing champion gallopers such as Rough Habit, Sunline and So You Think, as well as many industry-shaping figures that have left a lasting impression on racing globally.

This strong heritage, coupled with a platform for change has seen New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing join forces with TAB NZ and Entain Australia and New Zealand to create a new icon in the New Zealand Thoroughbred racing landscape - The NZB Kiwi.

Race Details

8 March 2025

Date: Champions Day in March each year, commencing in 2025
Race Distance: 1500m
Conditions: 3YO restricted race, set weights and penalties
Starters: 14
Prizemoney: Base prizemoney of $3.5m in 2025, increasing to $4.5m by 2027. An additional $1m of bonuses will also be available each year.

More Information

Ellerslie Racecourse

The Venue

The NZB Kiwi will be run at Ellerslie Racecourse, New Zealand’s premier race track that has recently undergone a $55m track upgrade which saw a StrathAyr track installed

As the showpiece of New Zealand’s racing industry, Ellerslie plays host to a number of the industry’s most iconic racedays and races including the SkyCity Christmas Carnival and the TAB Karaka Millions. Most notably and new for 2025 is the introduction of Champions Day in March which will not only see the running of the Trackside New Zealand Derby and the historic Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup, but the first running of the $3.5m 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 Bonus Pool
Base Prizemoney $3,500,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $1,000,000
Winner $1,200,000 $1,200,000 $1,200,000 $600,000
2nd $575,000 $600,000 $600,000 $250,000
3rd $375,000 $450,000 $450,000 $150,000
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.

Terms and Conditions

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

Download
Slot Auction

The initial $3.5 million prizemoney on offer in next year’s NZB Kiwi (1500m), with a $1 million bonus up for grabs, was enticing for prospective New Zealand and international buyers alike. 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