NZB Standardbred a great source of stakes success

It’s no secret that New Zealand-bred and sold standardbreds punch well above their weight when it comes to winning racetrack harness racing performances throughout Australasia and further afield.

From Derby victories to Classic features, kiwi horses continue to perform at an elite level on the world stage, demonstrating their strength, stamina and Group One-winning abilities in both hemispheres.

As each season passes, a strong lineup of NZB Standardbred graduates rapidly climb Australasia’s harness racing ranks. With the oldest just four years of age, NZB Standardbred graduates have claimed 28 Group One wins and 75 stakes wins.

Most recently, the Group One class of the 2022 season paints a picture of dominance, endurance and versatility that NZB Standardbred graduates are renowned for.

Including the likes of standout performers Akuta (Bettor’s Delight), Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight), Highgrove (Love You), Millwood Nike (Captaintreacherous), Rock N Roll Doo (Rock N Roll Heaven), Town Echo (Art Major) and True Fantasy (Bettor’s Delight).

In addition to these Group One victories, featured below is a seasonal review of the outstanding accolades achieved by the New Zealand standardbred.

NZB Standardbred Graduates

Based on the new season format (1 January – 31 December) unless otherwise stated.

• During the 2021 season alone, NZB Standardbred graduates claimed 14 Group One races and 27 stakes races.
• A source of classic winners, NZB Standardbred graduates have won 11 Derbys across Australasia in the current two seasons.
• Showing early talent, two-year-olds purchased from NZB have claimed eight Group Ones and ten stakes races in the current two seasons.
• NZB Standardbred graduate Rock N Roll Doo was a mere $14,000 investment at the 2019 National Yearling Sale. From his eleven race wins, he has earned over $451,000 – 32 times his purchase price.

New Zealand-Bred Performance

Australasia Domination

• Since 1 August 2021, kiwi horses have claimed 40% of all eligible Group One races in Australasia (both gaits).
• New Zealand-bred horses claimed 47% of all eligible stakes races in Australia and New Zealand combined in the last breeding season (both gaits).
• 45 eligible Group One races were won by New Zealand-bred standardbreds in Australasia in the last breeding season (both gaits).

Tasman Triumphs 

• In the current season, 14 New Zealand-bred horses have won 20 Group One races in Australia (both gaits).
• Kiwi horses have been victorious 81 times in eligible stakes races in Australia during the current 2022 season (both gaits).
• This season New Zealand standardbreds have already won 29% of all eligible Group One pacing races in Australia.
• New Zealand-bred trotters have claimed nine Group Ones and 18 eligible stakes races in Australia during the current 2022 season.

Feature Victories

• New Zealand-breds have won 10 of the last 13 editions of the Group One Hunter Cup in Victoria, with Champion King of Swing (NZ) taking out the 2022 running.
• New Zealand-breds have won seven of the last nine editions of the Group One Miracle Mile in New South Wales, again with King of Swing (NZ) taking out the 2022 edition.
• In the last 28 runnings of the Western Australia Pacing Cup, New Zealand-breds have won 23 editions including the 2022 winner Wildwest (NZ).

While the dominance of New Zealand-bred and sold horses continues to accelerate, a star-studded catalogue of youngsters is set to be released this week for NZB Standardbred’s 2023 National Yearling Sale.

A quality offering of yearlings will head through the sale ring at Karaka on Sunday 19 February, with the remaining talent catalogued in Christchurch from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 February.

Buyers can keep their eyes on nzbstandardbred.co.nz for an extensive online catalogue that will host pedigrees, parade videos and photos, updates and important information to assist their buying decisions.

For enquiries contact standardbred@nzb.co.nz or +64 9 298 0055.

Sale Format

• Auckland Sale of Pacers & Trotters: Sunday 19 February 2023, selling from 1PM (NZT)
• Christchurch Sale of Trotters: Monday 20 February 2023, selling from 3PM (NZT)
• Christchurch Sale of Pacers: Tuesday 21 February 2023, selling from 1PM (NZT)
• Christchurch Sale of Pacers: Wednesday 22 February 2023, selling from 1PM (NZT)

From NZB Standardbred