Mega Maiden Series

Karaka Millions riches have been amplified, with horses eligible for the lucrative Karaka Millions Series now racing for an additional $1m in bonuses.

In an exciting initiative, NZB and NZTR, generously supported by Entain, announced the NZB Mega Maiden Series in 2024, which sees $1m in bonuses up for grabs across 40 maiden races each season, for the next three years.

Comprised of 40 non-Saturday maiden races located throughout New Zealand, a $25,000 bonus is struck if a Karaka Millions eligible horse, three years or older, wins. The winning owner takes home $20,000 and the successful trainer $5,000.

Last season, multiple bonuses were struck across Northern, Central Districts and Southern regions, with prominent owner and racing industry supporter Terry Lines taking out two of the bonuses with his runners Suavetta (NZ) (Almanzor) at Pukekohe Park for trainers Shaun & Emma Clotworthy, and seven days later, Reprobate (NZ) (Ace High) at Gore for trainer Kelvin Tyler.

The following conditions also apply to the 40 NZB Mega Maiden Series races:

• No horse that is KM eligible will be given preference in terms of entry to a race, normal maiden balloting conditions will apply.
• In the event of a KM Bonus race being divided KM Eligible horses will be placed in one race. This will be given priority.

NZTR have announced the 2025/26 schedule for the NZB Mega Maiden Series below:

All eligible horses for the Karaka Millions Series are denoted by the ‘KM’ logo on the NZTR website.