New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) & Auckland Thoroughbred Racing have joined forces to announce the 2026 Winter Championships proudly sponsored by The Lawn Shed.
Horses that win a qualifying race are ballot exempt for the relevant final worth $70,000 held at Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday 20 June 2026.
| Class | Distance | Final | Stake Money | Winner | Trainer |
| Open HCP | 2100m | Stayers Final | $70,000 | ||
| Open HCP | 1400m | Sprinters Final | $70,000 | ||
| Spc Con HCP | 1600m | Progressive (0-1 Win) Final | $70,000 | ||
| 3yo SW+P | 1600m | 3 Year Old Final | $70,000 | ||
| 2yo SW+P | 1200m | 2 Year Old Final | $70,000 |
Horses that win any of the following qualifying races are exempt from the ballot, if nominated, in the respective final.
The remainder of the field will be decided on ratings, with the order of horses on the same rating being decided by the NZTR Handicapper.
Stayers (Opn 2100m)
| Date | Racecourse | Race Class & Distance | Winning Horse | Trainer |
| 16 May | Ellerslie | R75 2100m | ||
| 23 May | Ellerslie | Opn 2100m | ||
| 23 May | Ellerslie | Opn 1600m | ||
| 1 June | Te Aroha | R75 2200m | ||
| 1 June | Te Aroha | R75 1600m | ||
| 6 June | Ellerslie | Opn 2100m | ||
| 13 June | Te Rapa | Opn 1600m | ||
| 13 June | Te Rapa | R75 2400m |
Sprinters (Opn 1400m)
| Date | Racecourse | Race Class & Distance | Winning Horse | Trainer |
| 16 May | Ellerslie | Opn 1300m | ||
| 16 May | Ellerslie | R75 1100m | ||
| 30 May | Te Rapa | Opn 1400m | ||
| 30 May | Te Rapa | R75 1200m | ||
| 1 June | Te Aroha | Opn 1150m | ||
| 6 June | Ellerslie | Opn 1400m |
Progressive (SP COND 1500m)
| Date | Racecourse | Race Class & Distance | Winning Horse | Trainer |
| 16 May | Ellerslie | R65 1300m | ||
| 16 May | Ellerslie | R65 1500m | ||
| 23 May | Ellerslie | R65 1600m | ||
| 23 May | Ellerslie | Mdn 1400m | ||
| 24 May | Te Rapa | Mdn 1500m | ||
| 30 May | Te Rapa | R65 1600m | ||
| 6 June | Ellerslie | R65 1500m | ||
| 13 June | Te Rapa | R65 1300m | ||
| 13 June | Te Rapa | Mdn 1400m | ||
| 14 June | Matamata | R65 1600m |
3yo (SW+P 1600m)
| Date | Racecourse | Race Class & Distance | Winning Horse | Trainer |
| 16 May | Ellerslie | SW+P 1100m | ||
| 23 May | Ellerslie | SW+P 1500m | ||
| 30 May | Te Rapa | SW+P 1100m | ||
| 30 May | Te Rapa | Mdn 2&3yo 1600m | ||
| 1 June | Te Aroha | Mdn 2&3yo 1400m | ||
| 6 June | Ellerslie | SW+P 1400m | ||
| 14 June | Matamata | Mdn 2&3yo 1400m |
2yo (SW+P 1200m)
| Date | Racecourse | Race Class & Distance | Winning Horse | Trainer |
| 16 May | Ellerslie | SW 1600m (L) | ||
| 23 May | Ellerslie | SW+P 1100m | ||
| 6 June | Ellerslie | SW+P 1200m | ||
| 14 June | Matamata | Mdn 2yo 1050m |