The 2025/26 breeding season concluded with 1670 individual mares, compared to 1571 the previous season. That is an increase of 99 mares, or 6.3 percent. The total number of services, including mares covered more than once, increased from 1675 to 1785, an increase of 110 services or 6.6 percent. On paper it is a modest increase. In context it is significant.
The previous eight seasons had all seen declines. Every year the base became smaller. Every year the talk turned to contraction, aging breeders, tightening economies and a racing environment that didn’t provide enough certainty to justify risk. While the trend was not unique to New Zealand, the domestic decline was pronounced and difficult to stop.
At the start of this season, the shared position between Harness Racing New Zealand and the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders’ Association was not based on rapid expansion. The focus was on stabilization. First stop the decline and then reassess what was realistically achievable.
On that front, this season represents tangible progress.
The lift took place alongside a deliberate restructuring of incentives and renewed investment in the racing product. Growth in deployment under the Entain Agreement, programming adjustments and clearer strategic direction at the board level have fueled the platform. Breeding-specific initiatives have reinforced this.
The number of mares covered by Harness 5000-eligible stallions increased from 580 to 811, an increase of 231 mares or 39.8 percent. That movement is material. It reflects a direct response to the alignment of incentives and price thresholds, with several stallions either entering the market under the scheme or repositioning their service fees to meet the criteria. Based on the rate adjustments and the number of mares covered, breeders have collectively saved more than $250,000 in service fees this season alone.
The Fillies and Mares Credit Scheme, Harness 5000 and Paddock to Podium were introduced to build breeder confidence and improve retention within the domestic system. The recording indicates that these settings have the intended effect.
HRNZ Racing and Wagering Manager Matthew Peden sees the increase as evidence that strategic alignment is starting to translate.
“We are seeing the first fruits of a very clear focus on the sector. Stabilize the foundations, strengthen incentives and create real opportunities. An increase of six percent is a positive and meaningful shift.
“The combination of financial initiatives such as the Fillies and Mares Credit Scheme alongside programs such as Harness 5000 and Paddock to Podium has helped rebuild confidence.
“Importantly, the enhanced elite opportunities for fillies and mares will ensure greater long-term retention within our system, supporting both racing depth and breeding sustainability.”
From an executive perspective, HRNZ CEO Brad Steele was also assessed.
“It is significant to record the growth of mares bred after decades of continued decline. It signals an early renewed confidence from breeders and owners and reflects the collective work being done in stakes investments, targeted breeding incentives, industry involvement and long-term strategic planning.
“While one year alone cannot reverse long-term trends, it is an important turning point.
“We are grateful to our breeders for their support of the industry and for their continued commitment to quality and performance. This improvement gives us momentum, but we remain committed to disciplined growth and structural reforms to ensure profits are maintained.”
The pacing market accounted for the majority of the total increase, rising from 1,160 mares to 1,239, an increase of 79 mares or 6.8 percent. The growth was not evenly distributed, but it made sense from a commercial perspective.
Down on the coast was the clear headline act. After an excellent 2025 racing season, in which he was the leading sire of Group 1 individual youth winners, he topped the list of 196 mares. That represented an increase of 122 compared to the previous season. It was not speculative support. It was performance driven as results on the Tasman and in North America further enhanced its reputation.
King of the swing provided one of the clearest examples of how price structure and incentive alignment can directly influence behavior. His service fees were reduced from $6,500 to $5,000 to meet the Harness 5000 criteria, and his book increased from eight to 48 mares in 2025/26. The Breckon Farms-bred son of Rocknroll Hanover has since received solid support through the 2026 NZB Standardbred Sales and early on-track encouragement from the Bob Butt-trained Fanfare has increased that confidence.
Perfect stitch was the only other stallion to record a double-digit increase in mare numbers. Its rise reflected the strong early results of its first North American harvest and the reshaping of the local market following its absence Always B Miki from this season’s squad due to injury.
American captainnow based in a partnership between Macca Lodge and Wai Eyre Farm, served 94 mares from its new New Zealand base in its first season. The son of Captain treacherous also qualified for the Harness 5000, reinforcing the appeal of internationally recognized bloodlines within an incentivized structure.
Gambler’s delight continued to demonstrate that class and longevity remain powerful currencies. The stallion commonly known as “The King” has served 65 mares. Now permanently based at Woodlands Stud, the 28-year-old no longer operates annual shuttle services to North America, but continues to produce at the highest levels while operating on a managed scale.
The trotting market told its own story. For what was believed to be the first time, more trotting stallions were visited than trotting stallions, with 34 trotting sires used compared to 30 pacers.
Oscar Bonavenathe son of Majestic sonserved 52 mares in 2025/26, compared to 20 the previous season. His victory in the Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup provided a timely boost to his credentials as a stud.
THE TITAN recorded the largest increase year-on-year, from three mares to 38.
Nevele R Studs Marcoola increased by 15 mares, while Father Patrick increased by 10 after its service fees were adjusted to meet the Harness 5000 threshold.
Growth followed clear signals in both corridors. Stallion performance, positioning of service costs and alignment of incentives all played a role.
From a breeder’s perspective, trust has always been closely linked to the strength and viability of the racing environment.
“At the start of the 2025/26 breeding season, the shared goal with Harness Racing New Zealand was stabilization, as the previous eight seasons had all recorded declining mare numbers,” said Brad Reid.
“While this trend has occurred in almost all global jurisdictions, ours has been sharp and has proven difficult to address for several reasons.
“We know from years of survey feedback that the biggest driver of confidence in breeding is a healthy and sustainable racing product. With Entain’s investment and the strategic decision-making of the HRNZ board and senior management, it is fair to say that our racing product is the strongest it has been for decades.
“When that is combined with significant direct investment into the breeding sector at levels not previously seen in this country, it gave me confidence that stabilization was an achievable goal. We have been working closely with HRNZ as their breeding partner to improve and address areas within our control, and I think we can both take some satisfaction from seeing an increase as a result of that work.
“As Brad Steele has noted, one year won’t undo decades of decline, but it does show what can be achieved when investment and strategy are aligned with real effort. The response from the entire industry has been instrumental.
“The task now is to build on this foundation and, where necessary, accelerate that growth. I don’t think that’s unrealistic, especially with initiatives like Paddock to Podium, where returns for breeders only start flowing from January 1 of this year. That program alone is still in a positive direction.”
“At the same time, our strategic repositioning as an Affiliate has delivered tangible results, including increased membership and record attendance at events. Engagement at breeder level is being strengthened. We will certainly not stand still.” Reid said.
For eight seasons, the mare base shrank. This year things improved.
That lift is based on the dedication of breeders. Many have continued to invest despite the uncertainty, supporting the sector’s long-term future through challenging cycles.
The obligation now is to continue to strengthen the structures that support these decisions and ensure that the foals bred today have depth, viability and opportunity for years to come.
From the NZ Standardbred Breeders’ Association
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