Five months ago, 49,000 racing fans at Sydney’s Royal Randwick erupted as the gates flew open for The Everest, the world’s richest turf race. This Saturday, a smaller but equally passionate crowd will gather at Ellerslie for New Zealand’s version—Champions Day, headlined by the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi and an unprecedented $8.2 million in total stakes across 10 races.

The NZB Kiwi isn’t just another feature race—it’s a game-changer. Conceived by Warriors CEO Cameron George and former Entain CFO Lachlan Fitt, the race was designed to mirror The Everest’s success. The partnership between the TAB and Entain in 2023 injected much-needed funds into the sport, allowing for a prize money surge that’s attracting top Australian trainers, jockeys, and horses. The result? A revitalized industry, a younger audience, and a legitimate Trans-Tasman rivalry.

“The Melbourne Cup started off small, and look at it now,” says Ellerslie boss Paul Wilcox. “We’ve got to have the same lofty goals and ambitions to make this bigger and better.” With 12,000 fans expected, a post-race DJ set by Jax Jones, and a stacked undercard featuring the New Zealand Derby and Auckland Cup, the event is more than just about racing—it’s about creating a spectacle.

A Field Full of Stars and Stories

The NZB Kiwi has drawn a competitive 14-horse lineup, with major Australian contenders including Evaporate, Public Attention, and Perfumist—the latter two trained by Kiwi expat Bjorn Baker in Sydney. Evaporate, bred at Little Avondale Stud, will be ridden by top Australian jockey Mick Dee, while Blake Shinn takes the reins on local hope Damask Rose, trained by Te Akau’s Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson.

But perhaps the most remarkable story belongs to Samantha Wynne and Pivotal Ten. Just over two years ago, Wynne was lying in a hospital bed with a broken pelvis, contemplating her future after a tragic fall that claimed the life of fellow jockey Megan Taylor. Now, she’s riding one of the form horses in the race. “To get up onto the big stage with the big boys is something I never expected,” Wynne told Trackside TV. “I’m getting goosebumps talking about it—it’s the opportunity of a lifetime.”

A New Era for NZ Racing?

Wilcox believes this is just the beginning. “If you sat here four years ago and said we’d have this level of interest from overseas, I wouldn’t have believed it,” he said. While a big payday for Australian runners might sting, he sees the bigger picture—international attention, stronger fields, and a race day that could become a global must-watch.

Racing isn’t standing still. The Everest proved that big-money races can attract new fans, change perceptions, and elevate a sport. New Zealand now has its own version. And on Saturday, as the gates fly open for the first-ever NZB Kiwi, we may be witnessing the birth of something truly special.