Fillies of the Future

Media Release - Tuesday March 13

The future of the breeding history lies within the hands of the fillies performing on the racetracks today.

Five years ago the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association worked off this principal to develop a scheme that would support the members of the industry and encourage purchasing and retaining fillies to race locally. A principal widely supported, New Zealand Bloodstock's Insurance department got on board and in conjunction with the NZTBA theNZB Insurance Pearl Series was formed.

With earlybird nominations closing before Friday 16 March, at a lower fee of $920, it is a fitting time to touch base with our local owners, breeders and trainers who have benefited from the scheme since its introduction. These connections across the country have reaped the rewards collecting 160 bonuses and over $1.5 million from the Series in addition to the race day prizemoney.

AvantageTe Akau Racing embrace the scheme every year nominating all their yearling fillies for the Series.

"We think it is a fantastic, extremely well-run series and that New Zealand is lucky to have it," commented David Ellis. "We support it with every filly and we have had a lot of luck winning those races."

Avantage (Fastnet Rock) has won two bonuses this season for trainers Jamie Richards and Stephen Autridge and the duo have enjoyed success in previous seasons with Group 1-winning fillyMelody Belle(NZ) (Commands) who won a bonus on debut and the stakes winning stayerGrazia(NZ) (Savabeel) to name a few.

"The bonuses certainly have a bearing on where you aim your horse, as well as a number of other factors," commented Richards.

"In the case of Avantage it certainly worked out well for her and the added stakes money is really well received by the owners."

Awapuni-based trainer Tony Bambry has won a number of bonuses not only as trainer but also as an owner and nominator.

"All the fillies that we breed are entered into the Series, it makes it more worthwhile to race them," said Bambry.

Advertisement

"Allure(NZ) (Lonhro) is a filly we purchased as a yearling at Karaka to keep and breed from. She won a bonus last season at Taranaki and has been out for a break now. She could probably have a start now but there is a Pearl Series race at Wanganui we will wait for."

Prominent Riccarton-based trainer Andrew Carston is a continued supporter of the Pearl Series and has collected three bonuses in the last three months.Madam Swiss(NZ) (Swiss Ace) started the winning streak followed in quick succession withVishnu(NZ) (Highly Recommended) andXpressmymind(NZ) (Shamexpress).

"I think it is a fantastic scheme and I can't get enough of it," said Carston. "I try and nominate all my yearling fillies and if I know they are coming to my stables I'll nominate as quick as I can."

"There is a good scheme of races, there are plenty of them and the fact it goes for three years makes it money well spent at only just over $300 a year."

The Series is open to any yearling filly, whether they have been bred or purchased in New Zealand and Australia, and with 200 races over three seasons they can contest for a share in the $2.4 million worth of bonuses. All owners who nominate their fillies will also receive competitive rates on mortality insurance policies, as well as "Life Saving Surgery" to the value of $10,000 at no additional cost.

"NZB is a leader in the sense of supporting and rewarding fillies," commented NZB Insurance's Jim Bruford. "We have supported the Filly of the Year Series for more than 40 years now, and committing to the Pearl Series is a further link to the chain which supports the grass roots of our industry."

Complete your earlybird nominations for the NZB Insurance Pearl Series online atpearlseries.nzthoroughbred.co.nz.

Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday July 2
Here is the full list of 44 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.
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.
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.
Third Winner for Peltzer
Twin Hills Stud’s young sire Pelzter added a third winner to his tally with a debut victory at Canberra on Friday for the well named gelding I Show Speed.
I Am Unstoppable New for Oaklands Stud
Queenslanders have not had a great deal of opportunity to breed to sons of champion sire I Am Invincible with just two listed to stand in the sunshine state this spring, although we can now make that three with Oaklands Stud announcing the addition of Group I performer I Am Unstoppable.