The review considered rising operating costs, consistency across the industry, and ensuring fee structures remain fit for purpose. While the changes affect different parts of the industry, they share a common objective of creating a simpler, more sustainable framework that better reflects the services and infrastructure required to support New Zealand thoroughbred racing.

NZTR Chief Executive Matt Ballesty said the review was about ensuring fee structures remained fair, transparent and sustainable.

"Some of these fees have not been reviewed for many years, while others needed simplifying to better reflect the way our industry operates today.

"We've worked with various industry groups throughout the process and have sought to balance rising costs with the need to continue investing in the infrastructure, services and people that support New Zealand thoroughbred racing."

Riding Fees

Effective 1 August 2026

NZTR reviews jockey riding fees every two seasons. Following discussions with the New Zealand Jockeys' Association (NZJA), riding fees will increase by 6.2%, reflecting cumulative CPI movements over the past two years.

As part of the review the Rider Engagement Fee and Jumps Rider Engagement Fee will remain unchanged and the Minimum Ride Allowance will be removed.

Trials Fees

Effective 1 August 2026

Following a review, NZTR is introducing a simplified national trials fee structure. The new model removes regional and starter-number variations, replacing them with a consistent nationwide approach.

The new fee structure (GST inclusive) is:

Grass Tracks

• Flat fee: $225
• Trials conducted on the Ellerslie course proper will attract an additional $15 per starter.

Synthetic Tracks

• Flat fee: $125

The revised structure also updates the allocation of fees retained by NZTR. Under the new model, NZTR will receive $40 per starter for grass trials and $20 per starter for synthetic trials.

This increase reflects the growing investment required to support racing infrastructure and the ongoing costs associated with maintaining and developing facilities that underpin the national trials programme.

Import and Export Fees

Effective 1 September 2026

NZTR has completed its first review of import and export fees in more than a decade.

The updated fees better reflect the cost of administering these services while remaining broadly in line with comparable racing and breeding jurisdictions internationally.

The review included feedback from industry bodies and bloodstock agents.

A key change is the introduction of an increased fee for import applications lodged more than 30 days after a horse arrives in New Zealand. Horse traceability has become an increasingly important focus for the industry, and the higher late fee is intended to encourage the timely completion of import requirements, improve compliance, and support accurate traceability records.

If you lodge, or have already lodged, an import application before 1st of September then you will be charged the old fees. The new fees will be applicable on the day the form is submitted, not the date the horse arrives in NZ.

The updated fee schedules will take effect from 1 August 2026 for riding and trials fees, and 1 September 2026 for import and export fees.

Regular reviews help ensure fees remain fair, transparent and aligned with the actual cost of delivering services, avoiding the need for more significant increases after long periods without change.