October 1 deadline looms for Next Gen scheme

There is less than a month to go before owners, trainers and syndicators have to meet key eligibility criteria for the Next Gen bonus scheme.

By October 1, 2025 Harness Racing New Zealand must be notified of the trainer details and the ownership group for any horse bought at the 2025 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales. They will be 2YOs as of January 1, 2026.

"The deadline is fast approaching, and we’re urging all owners, trainers, and syndicators to act now. Next Gen is about creating new opportunities and strengthening the future of harness racing, so it’s important we see as many eligible participants as possible take part," says Harness Racing New Zealand's Head of Racing and Wagering Matthew Peden. 

The Next Gen scheme, run in partnership with HRNZ, TAB NZ and NZB Standardbred, aims to support new ownership, emerging trainers, and investment in young sires.

To be eligible, a horse had to be purchased at the 2025 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales at Auckland or Christchurch in February and meet at least one of the following:

Be by a Next Gen sire (stallion in their first, second, or third NZ crop)
Be trained by a Next Gen trainer (no Group 1 win before 1 Jan 2025)
Be owned by a Next Gen ownership group (at least four people, with at least 30% new or under-40 owners)

Bonuses include $50,000 for the first Next Gen horse home in each of the Harness Million 2YO races (colts & geldings, fillies, trotters), and a $5,000 second start bonus for eligible 2YOs (capped at 90 horses).

Any questions can be directed to cameron@hrnz.co.nz