This article has been sponsored and produced by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR).
New Zealand’s Summer racing calendar has been reimagined for 2025, delivering a spectacular lineup of world-class events.
Spanning January to March, the carnival features an impressive 48 Group and Listed races, offering a combined prizemoney pool of NZ$32 million.
The highlights include 13 prestigious Group 1 races and a total of 124 races to be contested across five premier venues. This revamped schedule shines a spotlight on New Zealand's elite racing stages in the Auckland, Waikato, and Wellington regions, promising an unforgettable summer experience.
In a groundbreaking move for New Zealand racing, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has announced the introduction of World Pool to two premier Thoroughbred meetings in early 2025.
The TAB Karaka Millions at Ellerslie on 25 January will debut as the first-ever World Pool event in New Zealand, followed by the newly established Champions Day on 8 March, also at Ellerslie. These events promise to elevate New Zealand racing onto the global stage.
Highlighted Summer Carnival Meetings
· Wellington Cup Carnival – 4, 11 & 18 January 2025 (Trentham Racecourse)
· Karaka Carnival – 25 January & 1 February 2025 (Ellerslie Racecourse)
· Legends Day – 8 February 2025 (Te Rapa Racecourse)
· Champions Day – 8 March 2025 (Ellerslie Racecourse)
· Oaks Day – 22 March 2025 (Trentham Racecourse)
Champions Day | 8 March 2025
The New Zealand Summer Racing Carnival will be headlined by Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Champions Day meeting on 8 March at Ellerslie Racecourse. With over NZ$9 million in stakes on offer during this landmark event, it promises to showcase the best horses and jockeys competing on the nation’s premier track, acting as the pinnacle sporting event in the country.
Ellerslie Racecourse has recently undergone a transformative redevelopment, marking the most significant upgrade in its history. Over NZ$55 million was invested in the installation of the state-of-the-art StrathAyr track, designed to deliver superior racing conditions and future-proof the iconic venue.
This marquee day will feature the debut of the NZ$4.5 million* NZB Kiwi, a groundbreaking 1500m slot race for three-year-olds. As the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race and carrying black-type status, it offers slots to be contested by graduates of New Zealand Bloodstock or gavelhouse.com Sales, as well as horses bred or conceived in New Zealand. This prestigious race is set to attract elite Kiwi talent from across the globe, cementing its status as a premier international event. View more information about the NZB Kiwi here.
*Includes NZ$1 million in available bonuses
Champion Bonus Series
As part of the new Summer Carnival, a revamped Rich Hill Champion Middle Distance Series and a new Sport Nation Champion Sprint Series will be run for a total of NZ$1 million in bonuses, with the final race in each Series to be run on Champions Day. The Sport Nation Champion Sprint Series provides sprinters alone the opportunity to turn Australian wins into a share of NZ$500k in bonuses. To be eligible to win or place in a Series, a horse must compete in at least one Group 1 race in New Zealand in the relevant Series. More information, including qualifying races and the current leaderboard can be found here.
NZTR Travel Subsidy – How it Works
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) strongly encourages Australian Trainers to bring their stable stars across the ditch, with plenty of race options over a variety of distances. To further enhance the experience for Australian contenders, NZTR is extending a travel subsidy for Group race participants during the Summer Carnival period. Each eligible horse will receive a subsidy of NZ$12,500, easing the logistics of international competition. This subsidy will be rebated to NZTR from any stake earnings exceeding NZ$30,000, with a rebate rate set at NZ$1 for every NZ$2 of prizemoney secured*.
* The allocation of a travel subsidy is at the sole discretion of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.
How to Nominate for the Summer Carnival
Nominations and acceptances for all New Zealand thoroughbred races must be lodged with the National Racing Bureau International +64 4 576 5095 nrb@nztr.co.nz.
Nominations for several of the New Zealand Summer Carnival premium race meetings are now open, noting some race nominations and late nominations close on 10 and 11 December 2024 for the below races.
NZ$700k Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) - Standard Weight for Age, 3YO+
Nomination: Tuesday 10 December 2024 at 12.00pm (NZT)
Race: Legends Day Te Rapa – Saturday 8 February 2025
NZ$1 million Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) - 3YOF SW
Nomination: Tuesday 10 December 2024 at 4.00pm (NZT)
Race: New Zealand Oaks Day Trentham – Saturday 22 March 2025
NZ$550,000 Group 1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) - Weight for Age
First Late Nomination: Wednesday 11 December 2024 at 12.00pm (NZT)
Race: Wellington Cup Carnival Trentham – Saturday 4 January 2025
NZ$400k Group 2 Levin Classic (1400m) - 3YO SW
Nomination: Wednesday 11 December 2024 at 10.00am (NZT)
Race: Wellington Cup Carnival Trentham – Saturday 11 January 2025
NZ$400k Group 3 NZCIS Wellington Cup (3200m) – Open Handicap, 3YO+
First Late Nomination: Wednesday 11 December 2024 at 12.00pm (NZT)
Race: Wellington Cup Carnival Trentham – Saturday 18 January 2025
If Australian Trainers are considering a nomination and have any queries on fees and entry information, they can contact NZTR’s Racing Operations Assistant Amy Carter on +64 (0) 21 141 9191 or email amy.carter@nztr.co.nz.
The New Zealand Summer Carnival is set to deliver an unforgettable experience, filled with thrilling competition, compelling stories and vibrant celebrations. Whether you're racing, attending, or wagering, this three-month showcase of premier Thoroughbred racing offers the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the excitement and chase the Kiwi dream. Join us in celebrating the best of New Zealand racing, where tradition meets innovation on the world stage.
Further NZTR nomination and entry information can be found here.
Read more about the New Zealand Summer Carnival here.
This article has been sponsored and produced by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR).
