About the Entain - NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final

Date: Saturday 7 March 2026

Meeting: Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse

Distance: 1400m

Race Type: Benchmark R72 F and M – 1400m ($120,000 Standard Stake)

Eligibility: Open to all horses that are eligible for the Pearl Series. Apprentice Allowances.

Bonus Payments: The total bonus payment is $100,000. This bonus is to be paid to Owners only and is to be spread over 1st, 2nd, and 3rd as indicated below. 

Entain Australia and New Zealand, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and NZB Insurance have collaborated to strengthen support for fillies and mares racing in New Zealand.

Under the Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series, bonuses paid to Pearl Series-nominated horses have increased. The winning owner will now receive a $20,000 bonus, while the winning trainer and nominator each receive $1,000. In addition to this, the Owner of the filly or mare that places second will receive a $4,000 bonus, with the Owner of the third-place getter earning a $2,000 bonus.

Adding further appeal is the creation of a $100,000 Pearl Series Bonus Final to be run in March 2024. The Final will be open to Pearl Series-registered horses only, up to five years of age. Southern and Central-based horses who make the Final will also be provided with travel subsidies to compete-

What do you need to know? 

• Up to 100 races per season
• Each race carries a total $28,000 stake bonus
• Trainer and Nominator bonuses at $1,000 each
• $100,000 Series Final Race Bonus, run in the Autumn and a travel subsidy for Southern and Central District horses who qualify
• No increase in nomination costs