March 6, 2026 • 6 mins
The richest horse race in New Zealand is taking place today.
Ellerslie Racecourse is hosting the NZB Kiwi this afternoon, as part of Champions Day in Auckland.
Ellerslie’s CEO, Paul Wilcox, joined D’Arcy to discuss the event.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Wildgrave from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Massive weekend of sport in Auckland doesn't get much bigger unless,
of course, you look at Super Rugby than the huge
race that is happening at Allesley NZB key we the
richest three year old race in the Southern Hemisphere. It's
a huge event and to talk about this is part
(00:34):
of Champions Days. The CEO of Allesleie Racecourse, Paul will Cox,
moredentity of Paul. So does it get much bigger than this?
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Darcy, No, it doesn't and we're looking forward to today obviously,
but eight point five to five million dollars for one
day's moment in sport, probably the richest moment in sport
New Zealand one day.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
So extremely excited, let it roll.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
On and it's not all just about the horses. But
that's the focus, that's the feature. There's other stuff around
the outside of it because very much a social day
out there on at Aliceley. We'll delve into that later.
But all of this money, the bulk of this sits
with the NZB Kiwi right, that's the race I'm looking at,
So explain that to us. How did it become so rich?
Speaker 3 (01:20):
It's taken from It's a slot innovation. So people buy slots,
of which Aklan Thoroughbred racing. Here.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
We took one slot, and you purchase those slots and.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Then they put all that money back into the stakes
and then you select your horse and hopefully have a
good one where the winner takes one point two million
dollars and then it progressively gets shorter and shorter. But
so the idea is to get a horse good enough
to win. And you're you're laughing, and look, it's grown
from there. It's caught the excitement of the general public
(01:54):
and turned it.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
Into a monster day.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
And we've moved we used to have two days, we've
moved that into one day. So it creates that excitement
and the energy and bimp. Here we are Saturday and
we've got a lot of people coming. So it seems
to be working, which is what you need to do.
You've got to keep innovating to keep those people interested.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Pull, I'm a bit slow. What do you mean a slot?
Can explain to me? It's minds me like I'm a
five year old.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Well you sit, so slot means you're buying the opportunity
to have a horse in the race. So limited to
fourteen slots or fourteen horses. They can only be three
year old horses and have been sold or bred in
New Zealand, so they've got to have they've got to
originate either from New Zealand or be sold through New
(02:44):
Zealand bloodstock at the Cracker Sales. And if they meet
those requirements and they're good enough, then us as Aukland
Thoroughbred Ration, we've chosen Affirmative Action as our horse to
represent us on the day. And it gets the opportunity
and then you go and get a barrier and away
you go, how is that great?
Speaker 2 (03:02):
That's more like it. And it's only it's only two minutes.
It's got been the most expensive couple of minutes in
New Zealand, doesn't it.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Yeah, absolutely, And that's hence why I mentioned it's a
you know, we're proudly we're the richest moment in New
Zealand sport for one day. Eight point five or five
million obviously four of that is in that one race
and you're dead right under two minutes from from.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
Where to go.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
There's going to be a group of happy, happy people
and others that are licked their their wounds and come
back in.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
And go next year for a chance to be the
winner instead.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Paul.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
A couple of other featured races. You've got the track
side he's on Derby in the Auckland Cup as well.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
Yep, look it's and the time honored New Zealand Hong
Kong Worldpool, New Zealand Derby, so three Group one's multiple
other group races and the Nzbky where it's it's sort
of the culmination of the summer's racing and into the
one day where a lot of the horses are peaking
(04:04):
for their big chance at the big time. So we're
looking forward to it and it just creates that they've
added extra spice for the day, which is exciting and
definitely the consumers, our punters, the people turning up have
have grasped and it's going to be a massive day.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
People who don't understand bloodstock, couldn't care less about horses.
There's still plenty of fun to be had and you
cover that off. It really is a social event, so
we can indulge in some non sport right now. So
you've got old make Clinton Roberts spinning some disc You've
also got the obligatory fashion shows as well, so a
bit for everyone and a lot of parting to be had.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Yeah absolutely, and look, don't forget the little wei ones.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
So mum and dad can come along and bring the kids.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Obviously, we've got an area set aside that's solely dedicated
called El Ruanchell and that's the Family Fund Zone and
it's free entertainment for the little one, so mum's dad, partners,
caregivers whoever bring your little ones along the line. The
ones get in for free and they can come and
have a great time and have a have a look
(05:11):
up closer at the horses as well, but more focused
on entertaining the little ones.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
And it's a super super day, so get them along
there as well.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
Massive day, isn't it for Auckland Sport?
Speaker 4 (05:25):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (05:26):
Huge, huge, and look how good is that right? We've
we've removed all your biases and whatever, whether you love
rugby or league, who cares you come to us during
the day on Saturday, head off to Eden Park to
watch the derby of the Blues and Crusaders and then
finish it out with the mighty Aukland FC cleaning up
there on Sunday afternoon.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
So how cool is that for Auckland to finally be
all pulling.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Together Champions Day at Aliceley. Paul will Cox, Paul will Cox,
the CEO of Alice, thanks very much for joining us. Mate,
you have a fantastic day and night.
Speaker 4 (06:00):
Good on your Darcy. Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen lay to News Talk set be on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Wildgrave from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Massive weekend of sport in Auckland doesn't get much bigger unless,
of course, you look at Super Rugby than the huge
race that is happening at Allesley NZB key we the
richest three year old race in the Southern Hemisphere. It's
a huge event and to talk about this is part
(00:34):
of Champions Days. The CEO of Allesleie Racecourse, Paul will Cox,
moredentity of Paul. So does it get much bigger than this?
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Darcy, No, it doesn't and we're looking forward to today obviously,
but eight point five to five million dollars for one
day's moment in sport, probably the richest moment in sport
New Zealand one day.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
So extremely excited, let it roll.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
On and it's not all just about the horses. But
that's the focus, that's the feature. There's other stuff around
the outside of it because very much a social day
out there on at Aliceley. We'll delve into that later.
But all of this money, the bulk of this sits
with the NZB Kiwi right, that's the race I'm looking at,
So explain that to us. How did it become so rich?
Speaker 3 (01:20):
It's taken from It's a slot innovation. So people buy slots,
of which Aklan Thoroughbred racing. Here.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
We took one slot, and you purchase those slots and.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Then they put all that money back into the stakes
and then you select your horse and hopefully have a
good one where the winner takes one point two million
dollars and then it progressively gets shorter and shorter. But
so the idea is to get a horse good enough
to win. And you're you're laughing, and look, it's grown
from there. It's caught the excitement of the general public
(01:54):
and turned it.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
Into a monster day.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
And we've moved we used to have two days, we've
moved that into one day. So it creates that excitement
and the energy and bimp. Here we are Saturday and
we've got a lot of people coming. So it seems
to be working, which is what you need to do.
You've got to keep innovating to keep those people interested.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Pull, I'm a bit slow. What do you mean a slot?
Can explain to me? It's minds me like I'm a
five year old.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Well you sit, so slot means you're buying the opportunity
to have a horse in the race. So limited to
fourteen slots or fourteen horses. They can only be three
year old horses and have been sold or bred in
New Zealand, so they've got to have they've got to
originate either from New Zealand or be sold through New
(02:44):
Zealand bloodstock at the Cracker Sales. And if they meet
those requirements and they're good enough, then us as Aukland
Thoroughbred Ration, we've chosen Affirmative Action as our horse to
represent us on the day. And it gets the opportunity
and then you go and get a barrier and away
you go, how is that great?
Speaker 2 (03:02):
That's more like it. And it's only it's only two minutes.
It's got been the most expensive couple of minutes in
New Zealand, doesn't it.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Yeah, absolutely, And that's hence why I mentioned it's a
you know, we're proudly we're the richest moment in New
Zealand sport for one day. Eight point five or five
million obviously four of that is in that one race
and you're dead right under two minutes from from.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
Where to go.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
There's going to be a group of happy, happy people
and others that are licked their their wounds and come
back in.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
And go next year for a chance to be the
winner instead.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Paul.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
A couple of other featured races. You've got the track
side he's on Derby in the Auckland Cup as well.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
Yep, look it's and the time honored New Zealand Hong
Kong Worldpool, New Zealand Derby, so three Group one's multiple
other group races and the Nzbky where it's it's sort
of the culmination of the summer's racing and into the
one day where a lot of the horses are peaking
(04:04):
for their big chance at the big time. So we're
looking forward to it and it just creates that they've
added extra spice for the day, which is exciting and
definitely the consumers, our punters, the people turning up have
have grasped and it's going to be a massive day.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
People who don't understand bloodstock, couldn't care less about horses.
There's still plenty of fun to be had and you
cover that off. It really is a social event, so
we can indulge in some non sport right now. So
you've got old make Clinton Roberts spinning some disc You've
also got the obligatory fashion shows as well, so a
bit for everyone and a lot of parting to be had.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Yeah absolutely, and look, don't forget the little wei ones.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
So mum and dad can come along and bring the kids.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Obviously, we've got an area set aside that's solely dedicated
called El Ruanchell and that's the Family Fund Zone and
it's free entertainment for the little one, so mum's dad, partners,
caregivers whoever bring your little ones along the line. The
ones get in for free and they can come and
have a great time and have a have a look
(05:11):
up closer at the horses as well, but more focused
on entertaining the little ones.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
And it's a super super day, so get them along
there as well.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
Massive day, isn't it for Auckland Sport?
Speaker 4 (05:25):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (05:26):
Huge, huge, and look how good is that right? We've
we've removed all your biases and whatever, whether you love
rugby or league, who cares you come to us during
the day on Saturday, head off to Eden Park to
watch the derby of the Blues and Crusaders and then
finish it out with the mighty Aukland FC cleaning up
there on Sunday afternoon.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
So how cool is that for Auckland to finally be
all pulling.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Together Champions Day at Aliceley. Paul will Cox, Paul will Cox,
the CEO of Alice, thanks very much for joining us. Mate,
you have a fantastic day and night.
Speaker 4 (06:00):
Good on your Darcy. Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen lay to News Talk set be on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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