New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), supported via funding from TAB NZ and in collaboration with Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ), will introduce a temporary fuel relief package to help ease some of the financial pressure rising fuel costs are placing on industry participants.
The package will apply to eligible Thoroughbred and Harness race meetings and will be backdated from 1 April, running until 31 July 2026.
The package is a joint response from the three organisations and reflects a shared commitment to supporting participants across both codes during a challenging period.
The support measures are:
• Owners of all horses that start and finish outside the top four placings will receive a $50 payment
• Trainers with a runner that starts at a meeting will receive a $40 payment per meeting (one payment per individual or training partnership)
• Jockeys and drivers will receive a $40 payment per meeting
• Clubs will receive a $500 payment per meeting
NZTR General Manager - Racing Mitch Lamb said the package was designed to provide some practical support at a time when rising fuel costs were being felt across both codes.
“Across the board, the impacts are being felt, and it made sense for the industry to respond where it could,” Lamb said.
“We’re grateful to TAB NZ for its support, and to HRNZ for working alongside us on an approach that allows us to provide some help to participants across both codes.”
“There are still a number of unknowns, but this is a practical step that can be taken now. It was also important that the package was fiscally responsible and simple to administer.”
No action is required from participants. Payments will be made through existing payment and Club settlement processes across each code.
The package will apply to race meetings through to 31 July 2026 at this stage. NZTR will continue to monitor conditions and keep participants updated on any further changes. If fuel disruption were to ease, then TAB NZ, NZTR and HRNZ will review the subsidy within a short notice period.
For more information, please contact:
Mitch Lamb
General Manager - Racing
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing
mitch.lamb@nztr.co.nz