New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) is excited to announce 15 charities that have partnered with NZB Kiwi Slot Holders for the 2024 Sarten Memorial Day at Te Rapa Racecourse.
Earlier this year, NZTR announced the public auction of its year-one slot for the 2025 edition for NZB Kiwi, with 50% of the Above Reserve Fee ($125k) earmarked for donation to one of these deserving Kiwi charities.
"The NZB Kiwi Slot Holder charity initiative is a fantastic opportunity for us to give back to the community while celebrating the best of New Zealand racing," said Russell Warwick, Chairman of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.
"We’re thrilled to have partnered with 15 deserving charities and through the generosity of our Slot Holders and the success of NZTR’s public slot auction later this year, we’re hoping to support a significant cause.
“It’s exciting to see racing bring people together for this wonderful day of racing at Te Rapa and we look forward to seeing which charity will benefit from the winning horse on raceday,” he said.
Due to fewer than 14 horses being accepted for the Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m), NZTR and Waikato Thoroughbred Racing (WTR) have made a slight adjustment to the raceday schedule. A different race will be selected for the charity draw, with Slot Holders and charities being notified on Monday 28 October, following final scratchings.
The charity connected to the winning horse of the selected race will receive the portion of NZTR’s public slot auction proceeds in November. In addition, each charity involved will receive a $1,000 donation, ensuring all partners benefit from the excitement of this outstanding day.
The 15 Kiwi charities and their chosen Slot Holders are as follows:
| Slot Holder | Charity |
|---|---|
| Waikato Stud | Starship Foundation |
| Kerri Spence Bloodstock / Clotworthy Racing | OnTrack |
| Wexford Stables | New Zealand Riding for the Disabled - Cambridge |
| Barneswood Bradey Nakhle | I Am Hope Foundation |
| Te Akau Racing | EquiPotential NZ Ltd |
| Ozzie Kheir | Heart Kids NZ |
| Entain New Zealand | CatWalk Trust |
| The King's Men | Tremain's Community Trust |
| Cambridge Stud | Rodney Animal Rescue |
| Auckland Thoroughbred Racing | Ronald McDonald House |
| Canterbury Jockey Club | Cure Kids |
| RACE Inc. | New Zealand Riding for the Disabled - Manawatū and Wellington |
| Waikato Thoroughbred Racing | New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust |
| New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing | St John's Ambulance Trust |
The public auction of NZTR’s year-one slot for the NZB Kiwi will take place on the eve of the Ready to Run Sale, Tuesday 19 November at 5pm. This will be auctioned live during NZB’s Ready to Run Sale ‘Welcome Drinks’.
For more information about the auction, contact emma.thompson@nztr.co.nz.
In addition to the NZB Kiwi's base prizemoney, an additional $1 million in bonuses will be up for grabs each year for winners of a number of iconic New Zealand and Australian races leading up to the NZB Kiwi race day in March (1st - $600,000; 2nd - $250,000; 3rd - $150,000).
To qualify for a share of the $1 million bonus pool, a horse must win one of the Bonus Eligible races in New Zealand or Australia and finish in the top three of the NZB Kiwi, which will be held on Champions Day (8 March 2025).
The first of these Bonus Eligible Races will kick off at the end of this month, with the Group 2 Callander-Presnell Stakes (1600m) running on Saturday 26 October at Royal Randwick, the Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) running on Monday 28 October at Te Rapa, and the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) on Saturday 2 November at Flemington.
View further information about the NZB Kiwi and a full list of Bonus Eligible Races here.