With an additional $600,000 in bonuses annually for the next three years and funded by the TAB, the Harness Racing New Zealand’s Next Gen ownership initiative is gaining serious momentum, ahead of next month’s NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales in Auckland and Christchurch.
Next Gen is all about getting more and new people into “Owning The Thrill” of racing pacers and trotters.
“It’s important to emphasise that everyone is eligible to get involved, it is for newcomers to racing as well as those who have owned and raced horses for decades,” says HRNZ Chief Executive Brad Steele, “as long as you meet certain criteria.”
Since announcing the new scheme last month HRNZ has been busy explaining its new ownership model through updates on the hrnz website, its social media channels and by having on-course information booths at summer race days.
“Next Gen is a triple whammy really – we want to encourage people, especially new people, into horse ownership and at the same time promote the Yearling Sales and our emerging trainers,” says Steele.
There are three ways to become a Next Gen-er.
1. Buy a Next Gen eligible yearling at the Sales, at either Karaka (Auckland) on Saturday, February 15 and at Christchurch on Tuesday, February 18.
Or
2. Buy any yearling from the Sales and have it trained by a Next Gen trainer. That is any trainer who has not trained a Group 1 winner, as of January 1, 2025.
Or
3. Buy any yearling from the Sales and race with an ownership group of at least four people, where the horse is owned 30% or more by people who are born after 1984 or have never previously been registered HRNZ owners.
“We are especially keen to engage with trainers and syndicate managers,” says Steele, “they are the best people to spread the word to potential new owners through their existing owners and connections.”
The incentive to be part of Next Gen is that there are bonuses of up to $600,000 per year available to the connections of Next Gen horses during their 2YO season.
All yearlings bought at the sales are eligible for the Harness Million races for the Colts and Geldings, Fillies and Trotters.
A $50,000 bonus ($35,000 will go to the owner, $10,000 to the trainer and $5000 to the breeder) will be awarded to the first Next Gen eligible horse across the line in each of those three races.
A $5000 2YO Second Start bonus ($4000 to the owner, $1000 to the trainer) will also be awarded to any Next Gen eligible horses that have two race day starts during their 2YO season.
To be eligible for the Second Start bonus the yearling must be purchased at the NZB Sales and meet the Next Gen Sire, Trainer or Owner criteria.
This will be capped at 90 horses, with a total payout of $450,000 per year.
In 2025 the Next-Gen eligible yearlings must be sired by :
Bettor’s Wish
King Of Swing
Bird Parker
On A Streak
Zenith Stride
McWicked
Tall Dark Stranger
Bold Eagle
Elite Stride
Propulsion
Timoko
Captain Crunch
Lather Up
Stay Hungry
Face Time Bourbon
Ultimate Sniper
Village Mystic
There will be around 70 Next Gen eligible yearlings at the Sales, headlined by the stock of Captain Crunch with 26 – seven in Auckland and 19 in Christchurch.
To see the NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales catalogue click here
In conjunction with the launch of Gen Next everyone who registers their interest in the scheme goes into the draw to win a share in a Racehorse.
It is free to enter and there are no costs involved. All you need to do is scan the QR code (below).
The winner will get a $5000 credit to purchase a share in a Next Gen eligible standardbred horse from either the Auckland or Christchurch sales.
There will also be a $7200 contribution towards training and ownership costs over the first two years
For more details on Next Gen click here
