$2million Prizemoney Boost for Auckland Racing

Media Release - Monday October 11

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) has announced it will be contributing over $2 million towards stakes at Ellerslie and Pukekohe Park this season.

The contribution, which is over and above New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s minimums, comprises $930,000 previously committed by ATR and a further $1.1 million, making a total of $2.03m contributed by the Club.

Wilcox said the announcement is the first step towards ATR honouring the commitments it made during the Club’s recent merger process.

“We are pleased to embark on this new era of thoroughbred racing in Auckland by taking immediate action in increasing the level of return to our all-important stakeholders – our owners, trainers and jockeys,” Wilcox said.

“We made it well-known during the merger process that we are firmly-focused on continuing our investment and growth in the industry, and that stakes increases are the first priority for Auckland Thoroughbred Racing.

“This is a great first step on our journey towards rewarding those who choose to race with us, whether that’s at Ellerslie or Pukekohe Park.”

ATR chairman Doug Alderslade said the Club’s investment into stakes further reflects its commitment to the racing industry in New Zealand.

“We are delighted to be in a position to inject much needed stakes increases into our races which will benefit all industry participants,” he said.

Advertisement

“We remain confident that as we continue to implement our new business model, we will be in a position to announce further stake increases in the future.”

The stakes increases will be distributed via:

  • Non-black type races at ATR’s iconic, premier, feature and industry days between: - 15 December 2021 - 31 July 2022 for industry days - 20 November 2021 - 12 March 2022 for those others listed
  • ATR’s black type races held between 20 November 2021 – 31 July 2022
  • In addition to the above, ATR has further enhanced January’s New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Million by increasing stakes on the four non-$1m races to:
    • Westbury Classic - $150,000 (was $110,000)
    • Brighthill Farm Concorde Handicap - $110,000 (was $80,000)
    • Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy - $110,000 (was $80,000)
    • Collinson Forex Karaka Cup - $110,000 (was $100,000)

Wilcox said the Club hopes the increases will encourage increased participation at ATR’s meetings.

“We want our racecourses to be the destinations of choice for thoroughbred racing in New Zealand,” he said.

“It is hoped that today’s announcement will assist in not only attracting quality fields for our feature races, but broaden the appeal of our other races throughout the season too.”

Last season, Auckland Racing Club contributed $945,000 of its own monies in stakes, offering a combined total of $10.3 million and Counties Racing Club offered a total of $1.5 million in stakes.

This season, ATR will offer a total of $11 million in stakes between 20 November 2021 - 12 March 2022.

Advertisment
More Reading...
So You Think 3YO Wins $100,000 Inglis Xtra Bonus
Good placement from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable for progressive three year-old So You Think gelding Aloysius, who cast off maiden status at Hawkesbury on Thursday in a race that featured a lucrative Inglis Xtra maiden bonus.
2026 Golden Slipper Entries – Sortable, Sale Mail – Find Out More
The new season is nearly upon us and that means all over the country a new crop of rising two year-olds are taking baby steps in the best stables in the land with the Australian Turf Club announcing this week they had received 1927 entries for the 2026 Golden Slipper, so who is in the race?
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Quality Cambridge Stud draft in National Online Breeding Stock Sale
The need for Cambridge Stud to control the size of their star-studded broodmare band has opened up some special opportunities in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.
Lisa Kennedy Recognized for Thoroughbred Welfare
Lisa Kennedy has always had a passion for thoroughbreds, and her efforts in guiding retired racehorses into new careers through EventStars were celebrated at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards last Sunday as the winner of the Care and Welfare Excellence Award.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 4
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
There were six heats for juveniles at Rosehill on Friday morning and the winners include unraced youngsters by Cool Aza Beel and I Am Invincible, plus a Farnan colt that tried his luck in Group races in the autumn and was far from disgraced.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Super Seth has had three G1 winners in Australia this season and John O’Shea and Tom Charlton have trained two of them, so when they produce a lightly raced maiden winner by this exciting young sire we want to know more.
High-flying Pencarrow Stud offers well-bred mares in Online Breeding Stock Sale
The 2024-25 season has been one of the best ever for Pencarrow Stud, and some of the renowned bloodlines that have underpinned that success are now available for purchase in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.
Yes Yes Yes to Stand at Gooree Park Stud
When Yes Yes Yes scored a course record breaking win in The Everest in 2019, the three year-old colt delivered a fairytale result for his ownership group and some of those owners are committed to ensuring his future at stud going forward and they include Julia Ritchie.