Entain - NZB Insurance Pearl Series

The Entain-NZB Insurance Pearl Series is a bonus scheme for Southern Hemisphere bred fillies and mares, supporting fillies and mares racing in New Zealand. The scheme includes up to 100 individual races for fillies and mares over four seasons' racing, with bonuses for each race of $28,000.

The Series has been designed to benefit owners, trainers and breeders of fillies and mares running in New Zealand and are available in all regions of the country. All bonuses are cumulative, ie a horse can win multiple bonuses throughout her racing career. For each win, the Winning Owner receives a $20,000 bonus, while the winning Trainer and Nominator receive $1,000 each. In addition to this, the Owner of a filly or mare that places second receives a $4,000 bonus, with the Owner of the third placegetter earning a $2,000 bonus.

Adding further appeal is the $100,000 Pearl Series Bonus Final run at Ellerslie in the Autumn. The Final is open to Pearl Series registered horses only, up to five years of age. Southern and Central-based horses who make the Final are also provided with travel subsidies to compete.

A number of high-profile New Zealand Thoroughbred mares have graduated from the Pearl Series including Group One winners Avantage, Belle En Rouge, Levante, Legarto, Molly Bloom, Velocious and Belclare. 

NZB Insurance has been a long-time supporter of the Pearl Series since its inception in partnership with the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.

Jim and Clo
(Left) NZB Insurance Advisor, Jim Bruford 

“We have been sponsoring the Series for more than 12 years, which has proven the point that Pearl Series races are hotly contested events, drawing big fields, developing both good betting revenue and giving fillies an opportunity to race to assist us in developing our breeding stock," commented NZB Insurance Advisor Jim Bruford.

"The bonuses also provide a profitable boost to owners early in a horse's racing career."

“Throughout the 12 years of the Pearl Series, NZB Insurance has received remarkable support from the industry in recognising our initial sponsorship." 

“Having Entain on board to further strengthen the Pearl Series in the coming years is a tremendous boost to our philosophy of supporting fillies racing in New Zealand,” Bruford said.  

Nominate your yearling filly for the Entain - NZB Insurance Pearl Series through the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders website here.

What you need to know about the Pearl Series:

  • Up to 100 races per season
  • Each race carries a total of up to $28,000 in bonuses
  • Winning Owner bonus is $20,000
  • Trainer and Nominator bonuses for winning horses are $1,000 each
  • Second-placed Owner bonus is $4,000
  • Third-placed Owner bonus is $2,000
  • $100,000 Pearl Series Final Race is run in the Autumn at Ellerslie and a travel subsidy for Southern and Central District horses who qualify
  • Yearlings must be nominated for the Series prior to the NZTBA deadlines as per their website. This is generally 31 July each year before yearlings turn two years of age.
  • Early bird nominations generally close on 31 March each year, saving up to $500 + GST on entry fees. 

For more information about the Series, race programs or nominations, visit the Pearl Series website here.

 

 
$100k Pearl Series Final Roll of Honour
Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final Winner Grey Haze's connections.

From 2024, loyal sponsors NZB Insurance in partnership with the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Entain introduced the $100,000 Pearl Series Bonus Final, which offered a $70,000 cheque to the winning connections on top of the race earnings as part of the revamped the Pearl Series.

2024 Winner: Grey Haze (NZ) (Dalghar)
2025 Winner: Francee (NZ) (Iffraaj)