Important changes to HRNZ breeding bonus schemes.

Harness Racing New Zealand is announcing some important changes to its breeding bonus schemes.

Fillies and Mares Credit

A new Fillies and Mares Scheme will come into effect on August 1,2024.

There will be a $750 + GST credit for any Filly and Mare winning any race. Previously the credit was only given out to winners in Fillies and Mares races.

The credit’s maximum is $6,000, which is equivalent to eight wins, including any credits earned prior to 1 August 2024.

The credit is available for service fees only. The scheme has an annual budget of around $900,000.

The administration of the scheme will be streamlined with the studs claiming the credit directly from HRNZ. Under the previous scheme the breeder had to supply HRNZ with paid receipts.

NZ Bred Scheme

The NZ-bred Stallion Scheme will end on July 31.

The scheme gave every horse born in New Zealand, sired by a New Zealand bred stallion, that stood in Australasia, a 10% bonus on stakes for all New Zealand races that they race in.

The HRNZ Board has reviewed the scheme and decided against continuing with it.

One of the criticisms was one that only 11 of 33 stallions that have earned credits are in New Zealand. Last year breeding to NZ-bred stallions dropped dramatically demonstrating that the scheme had no direct link to breeding a mare to a NZ-bred stallion.

Accumulated credits will be paid in August.

Breeding Incentive Scheme (BIS)

The Breeding Incentive Scheme did not continue into the 2024/25 season. Final claims for the $1000 Breeding Incentive Scheme (BIS) ended on May 31 while the $3000 BIS ended on June 30.

Claims have largely been paid. Less than a dozen are still outstanding and will be checked this week, and if approved paid in August.

Entain 2YO Bonus Scheme & Stakes

The Entain 2YO Bonus Scheme is going well and will continue into the 2024/25 season. Under the scheme horses winning their first race in a 2YO race win $12,000 ($8000 for owner, $4000 for breeder) and every 2YO winning its first race in any other race wins $6000 ($4000 and $2000). $414,000 of bonuses have been paid out as at 30 June 2024.

The full $250,000 for 2YO stakes from Entain, plus an additional $60,000 of HRNZ funding has been allocated to races with $193,000 spent as at 30 June.

From Harness Racing New Zealand