New Addition for Coveted Filly of the Year Series
4 September 2020
The schedule for New Zealand Bloodstock’s highly prestigious Filly of the Year Series has been confirmed for 2020-21, with NZB committed to delivering another successful year of sponsorship towards the sought-after title.
The new season will see the number of legs contested increase from 10 to 11, with Waikato Racing Club to host the new addition in the $70,000 Group Three Soliloquy Stakes (1400m).
As a result of COVID-19 and a rescheduling of the New Zealand racing calendar, the Soliloquy Stakes traditionally run at Ellerslie will now take place on 24 October at Te Rapa.
“I think that it’s fantastic the race is included in this year’s NZB Filly of the Year Series,” commented CEO Andrew Castles who is pleased about the new addition.
“As contenders progress out of the Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) through towards the NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m), I think having that 1400 metres in the Series is an ideal distance for the transition.
“Last year we saw the ultimate Group One Oaks-winning filly in Jennifer Eccles place in the race and I think contesting the 1400 metre distance early in their preparation is ideal.
“It works out well at that time of year and I’m sure we will see a wonderful field line up here on the Saturday of labour weekend,” Castles said.
The first leg of the Series is the Group Three Hawke's Bay Breeders Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) run on 19 September.
This season marks the 49th edition of the esteemed Series, with the 11 races keenly contested by fillies and significant prizes awarded to the owner, trainer and breeder of the ultimate Series winner.
After an impressive crusade in the 2019-20 Series, the Shaune Ritchie-trained Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) finished on top with a total of 44.5 points claiming last season’s title. The only other filly in the last two decades who reached 40 points is Justa Tad (NZ) (Istidaad), who scored 42 in 2004-05.
The NZB Filly of the Year winner immediately becomes a highly valuable breeding proposition and earns her connections $50,000 in bonus cheques including $10,000 for her breeder, $10,000 for her trainer and $30,000 for her owner.
2020-2021 Filly of the Year Series Race Schedule
| DATE | RACE NAME | STAKE | DISTANCE | RACE CLUB |
| 19 Sep 2020 | G3 Hawke's Bay Breeders Gold Trail Stakes | $70,000 | 1200 | Hawke's Bay Racing Inc. |
| 24 Oct 2020 | G3 Soliloquy Stakes | $70,000 | 1400 | Waikato Racing Club |
| 14 Nov 2020 | G1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas | $300,000 | 1600 | Canterbury Jockey Club |
| 12 Dec 2020 | G3 LawnMaster Eulogy Stakes | $70,000 | 1600 | Manawatu Racing Club |
| 26 Dec 2020 | G2 Jamison Park Eight Carat Classic | $100,000 | 1600 | Auckland Racing Club |
| 1 Jan 2021 | G2 Valachi Downs Royal Stakes | $100,000 | 2000 | Auckland Racing Club |
| Jan 2021 | G3 Desert Gold Stakes | $70,000 | 1600 | Wellington Racing Club |
| 13 Feb 2021 | G2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic | $100,000 | 2000 | Waikato Racing Club |
| 3 Mar 2021 | G2 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes | $100,000 | 2100 | Hawke's Bay Racing Inc. |
| 6 Mar 2021 | G3 McKee Family Sunline Vase | $70,000 | 2100 | Auckland Racing Club |
| 20 Mar 2021 | G1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks | $400,000 | 2400 | Wellington Racing Club |
NZB has also been the proud sponsor of the Southern Filly of the Year Series since the 2000-01 season.
Providing opportunities for good fillies to earn valuable black-type, the 2020-21 Southern Filly of the Year Series kicks off on 3 October at Riccarton.
View the 2021-21 Southern Filly of the Year Series race schedule here.