The Future Starts Now – Sires’ Stakes

This month’s 2024/25 season announcement, called “The Future Starts Now”, highlighted many new harness racing initiatives and funding arrangements.

In ensuing days and weeks more detail will be provided as to what the initiatives mean for the sport, at all levels.

Today we are looking at the implications for the : Sires’ Stakes

A massive increase to New Zealand Sires’ Stakes funding has “something for everybody”, according to executive Martin Pierson.

A new joint venture between the NZSS, HRNZ, wagering partner Entain and TAB New Zealand will see a total increase of $600,000 annually for NZSS races for the next three years at least, starting in the 2024/25 season.

Sires’ Stakes will be contributing half of that, along with HRNZ, wagering partner Entain and TAB New Zealand.

“The $300,000 per annum is from reserves that have been accrued over more than 40 years,” says Pierson, “so it is a huge commitment.”

“It’s a serious amount of money that will see increases in stakes to every race that the Sires’ Stakes Board owns, including the Nevele R Fillies Series”.

“The increases aren’t just going to the top end, there’s something for everybody including all our Heats and Preludes and our Aged Conditioned races like the Uncut Gems etc,” says Pierson.

The 2YO and 3YO Colts and Geldings Finals increase from $160,000 to $200,000 with the 2YO and 3YO Fillies’ Finals also rising to $200,000 along with the Nevele R 3YO Fillies Series Final.

The biggest increases will see the 2YO and 3YO Trotters Finals not only have increases of $50,000 to $120,000 but will hold Group 1 status while the 2YO and 3YO Trotting Fillies Classique’s will be upgraded to Group 2 and 3, respectively.

All 2YO races will be Series 41 this Spring while the 3YO Trotters will be held next year. The Nevele R Fillies (Series 46) will be in Spring this year, with all dates and venues now confirmed and can be seen here 

“This significant investment is about invigorating what we do,” says Pierson, “we cannot be stagnant.”

“We have to give ourselves a shot to succeed.”

Highlights of new funding increases :

$40K – 2YO Colts & Geldings increase from $160K to $200K – Addington, November 12, 2024 (Cup Day)
$60K – 2YO Fillies Final increase from $140K to $200K – Addington, November 15, 2024 (Show Day)
$40K – 3YO Colts & Geldings increase from $160K to $200K – Addington, May 16, 2025
$60K – 3YO Fillies Final increase from $140K to $200K – Auckland, May 9, 2025
$50K – 2YO Trotters Final increase from $70K to $120K, and making it a Group 1 – Addington, November 15, 2024 (Show Day)
$50K – 3YO Trotters Final increase from $70K to $120K making it a Group 1 – Auckland, May 9, 2025
$60K – Nevele R Fillies Final from $140K to $200K – Addington, November 12, 2024 (Cup Day)
$60K – 2YO Fillies Final increase from $140K to $200K – Addington, November 15, 2024 (Show Day)
$20K – 2YO Trotting Fillies Classique from $25K to $45K, and making it a Group Three – Addington, October 25, 2024
$15K – 3YO Trotting Fillies Classique from $45K to $60K making it a Group Two – Addington, September 20, 2024
$10K – Northern Mares Classic, 3 Uncut Gems, Aged Trotters Classic, 3YO Sophomore, 3YO Harness 7000,all increasing from $40K each to $50K

The Board is also working on two proposed 3YO Pacers conditioned races in Southland in December for both sexes.

“This is about all of New Zealand as we strive for more prosperous opportunities for everyone in our sport,” says Pierson.

NZ Sires’ Stakes nomination and sustaining payments are currently being taken along with the time honoured Nevele R Fillies Series, Caduceus Club Fillies Series along with 3YO sustaining payments.

Like anything in life, you must be in it to win it. Pierson encourages all breeders, owners & trainers not to miss out on the opportunity to enhance the value and earning potential of their bloodstock by ensuring their Sires’ Stakes eligibility. Closing date this year has been extended to August 1st, 2024.

Further information contact Martin as below:

Martin Pierson
NZ Sires’ Stakes Executive

From Harness Racing New Zealand