As another thrilling season draws to a close, the New Zealand Sires’ Stakes Roll of Honour for 2025 reflects a depth of talent and dedication across our industry. From precocious juveniles setting out on their journey to seasoned mares and males reaffirming or proving their class, each series winner embodies an excellence in breeding, training, and horse craft that continues to elevate our sport. This year’s champions are not only names on a list, but standardbred benchmarks who will shape the narrative of harness racing in seasons to come.
Magness Benrow Series
Garrards Series
Uncut Gems Series
Aged Classic’s Series
Macca Lodge Trotting Classique’s
NZB Standardbred Harness Million Series
Caduceus Club Series
In celebrating the achievements of this year’s Roll of Honour, it is clear that the Sires’ Stakes Series continues to showcase a future for New Zealand harness racing.
Each winner represents not only individual excellence but also the collective effort of breeders, owners, trainers, and drivers who love the game and treasure it’s social license.
With the 2025 season almost behind us, anticipation builds for the stories to be written in 2026 — new talent, rivalries, and champions. The tradition endures and the journey ahead promises to be just as compelling again.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As the song goes: “The future’s so bright, we gotta wear shades!”
Epic Rivalry
This rivalry between Marketplace and Got The Chocolates is shaping up to be the greatest of a generation. It has everything harness racing fans dream of – and everything the sport craves:
The level they’ve performed at this Spring and Summer has been nothing short of exhilarating. And the best part? There’s more to go into and on about next year.
Quality and Quantity
The depth and quality of fillies and mares racing this season has been unprecedented. Let’s hold onto them for breeding seasons ahead – because with access to the world’s greatest stallions and the finest nursery grounds on the planet, New Zealand can be the lead jurisdiction in harness racing if we want it enough.
But Wait, There’s More…
Next stop for the Sires’ Stakes brings one of those breeding grounds front and centre, with two more sprint races for three-year-old pacers in Southland.
When?
Sunday, December 14
Where?
Winton – the picturesque speed circuit
What?
Southern Bred Southern Reared (SBSR) & Diamond Creek Farm 3YO Fillies Southern Solstice
And then…
Friday, December 19
Ascot Park, Invercargill
SBSR & Diamond Creek Sires’ Stakes 3YO C&G Southern Solstice
A cracking destination and perfect final flourish for the 2025 Stakes season!
Finally
We encourage anyone with a current yearling who can imagine being part of all this next year to mark their calendar and make a Final sustaining payment for 2025 due December 1st.
The New Zealand Sires’ Stakes Board extends a thank you to all competing horses and connections in 2025. May racing luck be on your side in the coming racing year and we hope the New Zealand Sires’ Stakes can be the best series yet.
Watch:
Our NZSS Cup Carnival Winners Circle Reel below!
Starring.
Esmeralda
Kyvalley Ray
Freeze Frame
All Of Me
Celestial Sea
Co Starring.
Fans and connections.
