New Zealand Racing Cuts $3.17m From Major Race Stakes
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has confirmed its stakes settings for the 2026/27 season, with $104 million budgeted for stakes and bonuses following last week’s funding announcement.
Minimum stakes will remain unchanged from the 2025/26 season, providing continued certainty for participants across all non-black-type grades.
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NZTR General Manager Racing Mitch Lamb said protecting minimum stakes had been a key priority when finalising the programme.
“To be able to protect minimum stakes across all our non-black-type races, given the funding circumstances, is a positive outcome,” Lamb said.
“This provides important certainty for owners, trainers and other participants as they plan for the season ahead.
“The changes have been concentrated across selected black-type, innovation and other additionally funded races. We have taken a targeted and selective approach, particularly across the Group 1 programme, taking into account the potential impacts of each change. We are comfortable that we have reached the right balance within the funding available.”
A net reduction of $3,172,375 will be made across selected black-type, innovation and other additionally funded races. This includes a $500,000 increase in slot-race funding, offset by reductions across the other categories.
| Race category | Change in NZTR stakes funding |
| Group 1 | -$1,357,000 |
| Group 2 | -$830,125 |
| Group 3 | -$235,700 |
| Innovation races | -$1,085,000 |
| Listed races | -$151,050 |
| Other additionally funded races | -$13,500 |
| Slot race | +$500,000 |
| Net change | -$3,172,375 |
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s stakes contributions have helped offset some of the effect of the reductions particularly across major group one races.
“ATR continues to make a substantial contribution to stakes, and its support is greatly appreciated by NZTR,” Lamb said.
The Wairere Falls Classic and Karapiro Classic will not continue in 2026/27, with NZTR determining the two innovation races had not achieved their intended impact.
The three remaining innovation races will continue with reduced stakes. NZTR believes each has shown positive signs and remains committed to establishing them as permanent fixtures on the racing calendar.
The NZB Kiwi will run for $4.5 million in stakes, alongside its $1 million bonus pool. The NZTR Board was unanimous in supporting the commitment previously made to the race and its slot holders.
“The investment made by slot holders was based on the structure already agreed for The NZB Kiwi, and the Board considered it important that NZTR honour that commitment,” Lamb said.
“The race has delivered significant commercial and promotional value for New Zealand racing. However, beyond this season, NZTR will undertake a full review of its future structure and investment.”
Lamb said the final settings maintained a strong overall stakes offering while responding responsibly to the revised funding position.
“These decisions protect the foundation of our racing programme, provide participants with clarity for the season ahead and target reductions where we believe they can be best absorbed,” he said.
