Exciting changes have been made to the NZB Insurance Pearl series for the 2022/23 season.
From August 2022, bonuses will now be paid to fillies and mares that finish first, second or third in an eligible Pearl race (previously only paid to winners) and the series will now be extended to cover mares previously registered up to to and including their five-year racing season.
A single bonus level will be offered for all Pearl races, with the winning owner receiving $10,000, and the trainer and proposer each receiving $500. In addition, the owner of the second horse will receive $2,000 and the owner of the third horse $1,000.
The series was first introduced by the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (NZTBA) ten years ago, with 100 Pearl Series races contested each year, with almost 50 bonuses awarded each quarter.
Seeking to improve the already popular series, NZTBA CEO Justine Sclater and program administrator Corrina Holmes solicited feedback from participants and then contacted New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and series sponsor, NZB Insurance, with proposed changes. All three parties were in favor of the changes which will come into effect in the 2022/23 racing season.
“New Zealand Bloodstock is entering its tenth year of sponsorship of the Pearl Bonus Series,” said Jim Bruford of NZB Insurance.
“We thought it was appropriate to consider a major review of the bonus series this year. Following discussions with NZTBA and NZTR, we were delighted to continue our sponsorship after it was agreed that the bonuses for registered fillies would be extended to those finishing second and third in qualifying races.
“In addition, the inclusion of five-year-olds in the program has also been welcomed. The improved returns for owners is something that NZB is happy to support and the fact that owners of fillies and mares in will be the main beneficiaries is most satisfactory.
“NZB Insurance receives tremendous support from breeders and owners who insure their valuable blood stock and continue our sponsorship in a 10and year is one way we can help reward owners and maintain the racing population in New Zealand.
New Zealand Bloodstock is a major supporter of fillies racing in New Zealand through the Filly of the Year Series and the South Island Filly of the Year Series. The Pearl Series sponsorship complements both of these series, encouraging both breeders and owners to race their fillies.
Retaining fillies for racing is beneficial in supporting the New Zealand breeding industry and also benefits racing with large competitive fields racing for the bonus dollars.
NZB Insurance is one of Australasia’s largest insurance agencies, covering major stud farms and syndicates and having a significant racehorse insurance presence in Hong Kong and Singapore.
NZTR General Manager Bruce Sharrock said that NZTR was also in favor of revamping the series.
“Encouraging as many fillies and mares as possible to race is both beneficial to overall field size and has a positive impact on the racing record impact of broodmare stock,” he said.
“A number of top New Zealand Thoroughbred mares have graduated from this series including Melody Belle, Avantage, Probabeel and this year’s Group 1 winners Levante and Belle En Rouge.
“We are pleased to support the revised bonuses introduced in the 2022/23 season, including for horses that entered under the previous fee structure and for five-year-old horses next season who would not have been eligible. previously.”
Early bird entries for the current crop of Southern Hemisphere-bred yearlings close with the NZTBA on May 31, while late bird nominations close on July 31.
To cover these additional bonuses, there will be a slight increase in the cost of nominations this year, with the early registration fee being $1,000 + GST and the late registration fee being $1,500 + GST.
Further information on the NZB Insurance Pearl series can be found HERE