The Canterbury Jockey Club after consultation with the NZ Pattern Committee and NZ Thoroughbred Racing announces that the Group 3 Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders Stakes ($120,000, 1400 metres) will move to the opening day of the New Zealand Cup Meeting.

This shift from the second day will enhance the first day of the New Zealand Cup Meeting with the Group 1 Barneswood Farm NZ 1000 Guineas ($600,000) now supported by three other ‘black-type’ contests.

It also gives mares the opportunity to contest the Group 3 Join TAB Racing Club Mile ($250,000, 1600 metres) on the Wednesday, or either of the Listed Lindauer Stewards Stakes ($140,000, 1200 metres) or an Open Handicap over 1400 metres for $75,000 on the third day, New Zealand Cup Day.

The winner or winners of Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders Stakes, so long as they are otherwise eligible, will not incur a rehandicap for the 2025 Join TAB Racing Club Mile or 2025 Lindauer Stewards Stakes. The first three placegetters, so long as they are otherwise eligible, will be exempt from the ballot in the 2025 Lindauer Stewards Stakes

Rodney Schick, principal of the race sponsor Windsor Park Stud supported the move saying, “The potential for mares to have the opportunity to compete twice in the spring for Group 3 status at such an iconic racemeeting can only be a positive move. Windsor Park Stud is delighted to be supporting the race”.

The middle day of the New Zealand Cup Meeting is one of New Zealand’s highest performing oncourse wagering racedays and to continue to provide attractive betting options the 1600 metres maiden will be deleted from the first day programme and a MAAT over the same distance will be added to the second day. This race will carry a $65,000 stake an increase of $30,000 on the stake carried by a maiden race at the meeting.

The MAAT will be for horses that were maidens as at midnight on Monday 6 October 2025.

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