NZB Mega Maiden Series Schedule Announced for 2025/26 Season

Media Release - Wednesday June 11

Last season a $1 million boost in bonuses was added to the lucrative Karaka Millions Series with the introduction of the NZB Mega Maiden Series. It is set to continue in the coming season with the 2025/26 Series race schedule now available. 

The NZB Mega Maiden Series is comprised of 40 non-Saturday Maiden races to be run from September 2025 through to May 2026, split across the three regions in New Zealand. 

A $25,000 bonus is struck if a Karaka Millions eligible horse, three years or older, wins one of the races shown below. The winning owner(s) will receive $20,000 and the successful trainer $5,000. 

Gruffalo won a maiden bonus.

Last season, bonuses were struck across Northern, Central Districts and Southern regions, with prominent owner and racing industry supporter Terry Lines taking out two of the bonuses with his runners Suavetta (NZ) (Almanzor) at Pukekohe Park for trainers Shaun & Emma Clotworthy, and seven days later, Reprobate (NZ) (Ace High) at Gore for trainer Kelvin Tyler. 

Southern trainer Robert Dennis took out one of the NZB Mega Maiden Series bonuses at Ashburton in April with Gruffalo (NZ) (Proisir), and is delighted with the addition of these bonuses to the Karaka Millions Series. 

“We’d bought him only about a month earlier on Gavelhouse and, while it wasn’t in his plan, we knew he was Karaka Millions eligible and that bonus was there. We decided to go for it anyway and it paid off.” 

Advertisement

“Those NZB Mega Maiden Series bonuses are very lucrative, it was like winning a sixty-thousand-dollar race with that bonus attached. It gives us all a chance, it’s hard to get a horse to the Karaka Millions and this initiative is particularly good for owners because horses can get nice returns early on in their career throughout the county.”  

“Our stable is about to crack a million dollars for the season from here in Invercargill - the future of racing is looking bright down here.” 

NZTR has published the schedule of races for the NZB Mega Maiden Series for the coming season, with the following conditions applying to the 40 NZB Mega Maiden Series races: 

  • No horse that is KM eligible will be given preference in terms of entry to a race, normal maiden balloting conditions will apply. 

  • In the event of a KM Bonus race being divided KM Eligible horses will be placed in one race. This will be given priority. 

NZB Mega Maiden Series Schedule for 2025/26 Season  - click for the full list of all races. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
New Zealand Makes Presence Felt in Hong Kong’s 2024-25 Season
From a freakish sprinter with a (NZ) suffix to an exciting group of up-and-comers sourced from the Karaka sale ring, New Zealand’s influence was strongly felt on Hong Kong racetracks during the 2024-25 season.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Farnan Draws Level with Ole Kirk on 13 Winners
There’s a good battle going to decide the leading first season sire by Australian winners and with just seven days of the season to run Farnan is laying down the gauntlet to the long time division leader Ole Kirk.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.