NEW $100,000 THREE-YEAR-OLD SPRINT

With the support of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing the Canterbury Jockey Club can offer a new race on the programme of the middle day, Wednesday 11 November 2026.

A $100,000 three-year-old race over the sprint distance of 1200 metres has been added to a raceday which has regularly over the years featured in the top dozen oncourse wagering days in New Zealand. Set weight and penalties will apply.

With the support of the Wellington and Levin Racing Clubs the winner will be exempt from the ballot in the 2026 Group 2 Levin Classic at Trentham on Saturday 9 January 2027.

In recognition of one of New Zealand favourite racing sons, the holder of the record for most New Zealand winning rides and iconic Canterbury based jockey the race will be known as the Chris Johnson Three-year-old Sprinters Challenge. 

WINDSOR PARK STUD CANTERBURY BREEDERS STAKES

The Chris Johnson Three-year-old Sprinters Challenge creates a feature to replace the Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders Stakes which last year was shifted to the first day to serve as a lead-up to Wednesday’s $250,000 TAB Mile. This move provides mares with the chance run twice at Group 3 level at the NZ Cup Meeting.

THE PAVILION

The Pavilion, a new building on the site of the demolished Grand National Stand, will be in use for the first time at the New Zealand Cup Meeting. It will take the place of temporary infrastructure which provided prebooked hospitality options and a kitchen on the site. Watts and Hughes Construction commenced work on the Pavilion in December last year and it was handed to the Club ahead of schedule last Friday 9 October 2026. The Pavilion will be open for viewing at the Group 3 War Decree Stakes racemeeting, on Saturday 24 October 2026.

For further information please contact Canterbury Jockey Club Chief Executive Tim Mills 027 430 0208.