17 May
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100 Ascot Avenue, Remuera, Auckland
- 09 524 4069
Featuring the $3.5m NZB Kiwi slot race; Jax Jones in association with The Grand Tour; the 20th edition of New Zealand's national fashions in the field final, The Ned Prix de Fashion; Trackside New Zealand Derby; Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup; Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes; Sistema Stakes; New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes; and more.
Barfoot & Thompson Champions Day | A Game-Changer
Auckland, you just witnessed history. The inaugural Barfoot & Thompson Champions Day delivered everything it promised – and then some.
The racing was nothing short of spectacular, with the debut of the NZB Kiwi, New Zealand’s first-ever slot race, making headlines as the richest annual sporting event in the country. With a $3.5 million stakes up for grabs, it brought together top-tier contenders and delivered edge-of-your-seat action from starting gates to that explosive finish courtesy of Damask Rose and Blake Shinn.
But the excitement didn’t stop there. The Trackside New Zealand Derby – won by Willydoit – and Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup – taken out by a ‘fashionably late’ Trav – continued their legacy, cementing this event’s reputation as a must-watch on the international stage.
Off the track, the atmosphere was just as electric. The 20th edition of The Ned Prix de Fashion brought together the nation’s best-dressed, with style icons vying for the ultimate racewear title, won by Danni Alfeld. Meanwhile, The Grand Tour Racing Festival kept the energy high in The Enclosure, with the famous Birdcage Bash reaching new heights thanks to UK DJ Jax Jones, Clint Roberts and Mikeyy who had the crowd on their feet.
And for families? The free games and entertainment made sure even the youngest racegoers had a day to remember.
If you missed it, let’s just say… you won’t want to make that mistake next year. Barfoot & Thompson Champions Day has arrived – and it’s here to stay.
Relive the day's Group 1 action and hear from the jockeys - plus more - on our YouTube channel!
Congratulations to all the day's winners out on the track, headed up by Te Akau Racing's slot horse, Damask Rose, who - alongside jockey Blake Shinn - took out the inaugural running of the $3.5m NZB Kiwi.
Congratulations to Danni Alfeld (centre), representing the Canterbury Jockey Club, for taking out the 20th edition of The Ned Prix de Fashion - the national fashions in the field final.
Well done too to the competition's four grand finalists - Sarah Morris (left), Eleanor Campbell (second from left), Sheree Sheehan (second from right) and Kylie Hayes (right).
Congratulations to Holly Lindsey, Alex Valle, Eleanor Campbell and Ciara Abel for winning the forEVER Sophie Permanent Jewellery Fashion Qualifiers.
Each finalist not only took home a $1,000 from competition partner, Sophie Store, but they also secured the final rights to compete in The Ned Prix de Fashion.
Winner of the Barfoot & Thompson Champions Day CatWalk Trust Pick the Winner competition. Terry McMinn was one of only 168 people who correctly picked Willydoit to win the Trackside New Zealand Derby. Terry has won a $1,500 Prezzy Card thanks to CatWalk Trust.
Congratulations Terry and thank you to the 1,000+ people who entered this year's competition.
Congratulations to Chris Lloyd (winner) and Patric Seng (runner-up) of the Social Racing Menswear competition.
Chris won a complimentary full share in the Social Racing Socialites syndicate as part of his prize.
