Champion Bonus Series

About the Series

New Zealand Summer Series Bonus

Entain Australia and New Zealand has joined forces with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing to introduce the New Zealand Champion Bonus Series – a move to further elevate New Zealand’s pinnacle race days and attract international participation throughout the summer racing season.

As part of the new Summer Carnival, a revamped Champion Middle Distance Series and a new Champion Sprint Series will be run for a total of $1 million in bonuses, with the final race in each Series to be run on Champions Day, also home to the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi.  

 

Points will be allocated to the first four placegetters of each race in the respective Series, with a bonus pool of $500,000 being shared amongst the owners of the three highest point scoring horses at the conclusion of each Series.  

To be eligible to win or place in a Series, a horse must compete in at least one Group 1 race in New Zealand in the relevant Series. If two or more horses finish with the same number of points in a Series, the relevant bonus amount will be shared amongst the owners of those horses. 

Bonus Structure (Total bonus based on points allocation, including Trainer payment)

  • First (Most Points Accrued) : $300k
  • Second Highest Points: $150k
  • Third Highest Points: $50k

*Mandatory 10% Trainer payment to be paid from bonus amounts listed above.

 

Points Allocation and Series Eligible Races

Champion Middle Distance Series - Points Allocation

Finishing Position Group 1 Bonecrusher NZ Stakes All Other Series
1st 7 5
2nd 5 3
3rd 4 2
4th 2 1

Champion Middle Distance Series - Points Allocation

Finishing Position Group 1 Series Races and Group 3 Kings Plate All Other Series Races
1st 7 5
2nd 5 3
3rd 4 2
4th 2 1

 

Champion Middle Distance Series – Qualifying Races

  • G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate - 28 September 2024
  • G1 Livamol Classic - 12 October 2024
  • G3 Balmerino Stakes - 5 November 2024
  • G3 TAB Mile - 13 November 2024
  • G1 TAB Classic - 7 December 2024
  • G1 Zabeel Classic - 26 December 2024
  • G2 Rich Hill Mile - 1 January 2025
  • G1 Thorndon Mile - 11 January 2025
  • Aotearoa Classic - 25 January 2025
  • G1 Herbie Dyke Stakes - 8 February 2025
  • G1 Otaki WFA Classic - 22 February 2025
  • G1 Bonecrusher NZ Stakes - 8 March 2025

Champion Sprint Series – Qualifying Races

  • G3 Counties Bowl - 30 November 2024
  • G1 Winterbottom Stakes (Perth) - 30 November 2024
  • G3 George Moore Stakes (Brisbane) - 30 November 2024
  • Listed Hazlett Stakes - 26 December 2024
  • Listed Christmas Stakes (Melbourne) - 26 December 2024
  • Listed Canterbury Sprint (Sydney) - 1 January 2025
  • G3 Concorde Handicap - 1 January 2025
  • G1 Telegraph - 11 January 2025
  • G1 Railway Stakes - 25 January 2025
  • G1 BCD Sprint - 8 February 2025
  • G3 Kings Plate - 8 March 2025