Prizemoney Increased for NZ Stakes Races

Media Release - Tuesday January 25

The Board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has announced further stakes increases.

An increase of $2.4 million has been allocated for the period of 3 April until 26 August 2022 and includes stakes lifts across the board.

As outlined in July when announcing the $7 million injection into stakes NZTR Chairman Cameron George reemphasised that the NZTR Board has created a rolling funding policy.

“As opposed to announcing increases across a full racing season, this policy enables the Board to provide increased funding to the industry off the back of good performance. We are delivering off money earned, not anticipated earnings,” George said.

“We are operating in a different environment and our decisions regarding stakes increases are designed to be both strategic and sustainable.

“In the Board’s view the traditional blanket approach to funding will not generate greater returns to the overall industry.

“It is important that we invest wisely, into those parts of our racing calendar which will encourage growth in both wagering and participation. This is a strategic pattern, and one that we will continue to execute and ultimately create opportunities from, particularly in our strongest performing times.”

George said that this phase of funding will see a significant increase across the period outlined and an additional increase into stakes at the Grand National Carnival at Riccarton in August.

“This carnival stimulates interest in winter racing and again this demonstrates our Board’s new thinking around strategically investing in parts of the calendar which are not only important to the racing industry, but also have the potential to provide growth in returns through wagering interest,” he said.

The prizemoney increases from 3 April will be as follows:

Industry Days –

Advertisement

• R74 - $11,000 to $12,000

• R65, MAAT, 2,3&4YO and Maidens - $10,000 to $12,000

Feature Days –

• Open - $32,500 to $35,000

• R74 - $27,500 to $30,000

• 3&4YO - $25,000 to $30,000

• R65, MAAT, 2YO - $22,500 to $30,000

• Maiden - $10,000 to $15,000

The NZTR Board will consider the next round of prizemoney increases following a mid-year review of NZTR finances in February.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Generation Foals Built for Speed
Victorian farm Lovatsville offer a diverse stallion roster for this spring geared to satisfy a wide spectrum of breeder ambitions and if explosive Aussie speed is your thing then Snitzel stallion Generation will fit the bill.
Hellbent Winner Impresses at Sha Tin
Astute trainer Mark Newnham paid $425,000 at the 2023 NZB Ready to Run Sale to secure a promising two year-old by Hellbent and Invincible Ibis delivered on that promise when scoring a last to first win at Sha Tin on Wednesday.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Caulfield
Three barrier trials at Caulfield on Thursday morning produced heat winners for first season sires Wild Ruler and Profiteer with the quickest winner being Free Flying, the half-sister by Snitzel to brilliant Group winning mare Learning to Fly.
Melody Belle Daughter Set for Long Awaited Debut
It will be a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at The Valley on Friday night when Lyrics ‘N’ Song, a daughter of their former multiple Group One winner Melody Belle, makes her debut.
Blueblood Fillies From $3million Mares
Tom Magnier has been notable for his purchase of elite race fillies and broodmares in recent years to enhance the stellar Coolmore broodmare band and two of his $3million plus mare purchases have produced stunning fillies this spring.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
NZ Derby Hero Willydoit Primed for Epsom
Last season’s New Zealand Derby hero Willydoit will step back into the spotlight on Saturday when he contests the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick for trainer Ciaron Maher, with jockey Tommy Berry bullish the horse is ready to make his mark over the famous mile.