CUP WEEK? WE CAN’T WAIT!

It’s been a cracking Spring on racetracks around the country, and Sires’ Stakes aspirants have been out in force—staking their claim for outright excellence among the elite in New Zealand Harness Racing. So, we’re understandably excited as the next IRT Cup Carnival approaches!

A Showcase of World-Class Standardbreds

The schedule of Sires’ Stakes races for Cup Week is a mouthwatering showcase of our country’s world-class standardbred racehorses—a true testament to New Zealand's standing in the sport globally.

Across our two biggest race days of the year, we’ll see:

• Cup Day (Tuesday):
  • Woodlands Stud Series Final – featuring outstanding two-year-old pacing colts and geldings, the stars of now and our future.
  • The Nevele R Series – the greatest series anywhere for three-year-old pacing fillies and a group that fits the billing.
• Show Day (Friday):
  • Dunstan Horsefeeds Series Final – showcasing the best two-year-old pacing fillies down under.
  • IRT Two-Year-Old Trotters Championship – the launch race for our rising square-gaiting stars.
  • Bob McArdle Southern Mares Classic – matriarchs destined to secure quality in New Zealand’s broodmare band put on the show.

Expect Champions, Photo Finishes, and Record Breakers

If the New Zealand Sires’ Stakes racing year so far is any gauge, Cup Week will deliver champions, finishes that need photos, and record books that may need rewriting after this week of harness racing seen nowhere else in the world!

Looking Ahead to 2025

Finally, we encourage anyone with a current yearling who can imagine being part of all this next year to mark their calendar: Final sustaining payment for 2025 is due December 1st.

The New Zealand Sires’ Stakes Board extends its best wishes to all competing horses and connections. May racing luck be on your side and make this marquee event the best yet—win, lose, or draw.

2YO Colts & Geldings – Series 42 Final

📅 Final Date: Tuesday, 11th November 2025

Key Deadlines
Nominations Close: Tuesday, 4th November @ 12:00 PM

Withdrawals Close: Wednesday, 5th November @ 12:00 PM

📊 Final Ranking List

All five Heats now completed.

“To be eligible for selection for the Final, a colt/gelding must have contested a heat within this Series.”

1 - Fugitive - C T & C M Dalgety
2 - Cyclone Rebel - T R Hopkins
3 - Jumal - S J Reid
4 - Freeze Frame - C T & C M Dalgety
5 - Zeus Lightning - H J & A J Cullen
6 - Allamericanplayer - S G & A L Telfer
7 - Andretti (AUS) - M & N Purdon
8 - Critical Image - A M Donnelly
9 - Move It Lou - A G Herlihy
10 - Special Occasion - M & N Purdon
11 - Utah Blaze - S G & A L Telfer
12 - Mama's Wish - B Purdon & S D Phelan
13 - Stumblin In - R W Todd
14 - Incentivise - R L Houghton
15 - Evernden - L G Hollis & S M Robertson
16 - Nikolai Ray - K M Barron
17 - Eun Sogno - C T & C M Dalgety
18 - Nymbal - B & G J Hughes
19 - Franco Lennon - S G & A L Telfer
20 - Sonofamistery - S G & A L Telfer
21 - B B King - S G & A L Telfer
22 - The Savoy - T R Hopkins
23 - Johnny Lincoln - R W Green & N C Delany
24 - Kotare Rimu - R L Houghton
25 - Mystery Creek - H J & A J Cullen
26 - Prince Lincoln - R W Green & N C Delany
27 - Lincoln Lover - R W Green & N C Delany
28 - Georgie Best - M & N Purdon
29 - Relapsed - K M Barron

Thank You
For your continued support of the Woodlands NZ Sires’ Stakes series. The very best for IRT NZ Cup Week and beyond!