Dunstan Horsefeeds, a leader in New Zealand’s equine nutrition industry and one of New Zealand racing’s largest supporters, proudly announces the return of the highly anticipated Dunstan Stayers Series. Now in its 26th year, the series will culminate in the prestigious final to be held as part of the SkyCity Boxing Day Races, 26th December 2024, at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s (ATR) premier track, Ellerslie.
Adding excitement to this year’s series, TAB, the Principal Partner of ATR, is offering $2,500 in bonus cash incentives for trainers, rewarding:
• The highest qualifier overall,
• The highest Central Districts qualifier,
• The highest qualifier with an active Dunstan Horsefeeds account, and;
• The horse entered in the most qualifying races (whichever has the highest points).
This year’s Dunstan Stayers Series will feature 16 qualifying races, run across New Zealand from Ellerslie to Trentham, throughout November and December. These races will give the nation’s top stayers the opportunity to qualify for the final at Ellerslie, showcasing the very best of New Zealand’s staying talent.
David Smith, founder of Dunstan Horsefeeds, shared his pride in continuing the long-standing partnership with New Zealand racing. “It’s been a terrific journey watching some of New Zealand’s best stayers come through the series. What’s really rewarding is that this isn’t just an event for the big stables - we’ve seen incredible support from trainers and breeders across the country,” said Smith.
“As a New Zealand-owned company, manufacturing equine feeds, we are deeply invested in supporting our New Zealand racing industry. The Dunstan Stayers Series is a perfect fit for us, reflecting our commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and providing a platform for developing the next generation of cup champions.”
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing CEO Paul Wilcox expressed his appreciation for the ongoing partnership with Dunstan Horsefeeds in saying that “the Dunstan Stayers Series has become an integral part of New Zealand’s racing landscape, and it’s a privilege to host the final at Ellerslie again this year. The support that Dunstan provides to trainers and breeders, large and small, is instrumental in fostering New Zealand’s staying talent and elevating the calibre of our sport.”
Dunstan Horsefeeds has been a proud sponsor of the Stayers Championship for 25 consecutive years, making it one of the longest-running sponsorships in New Zealand racing history. Through this enduring partnership, Dunstan continues to support the growth and development of New Zealand’s racing talent.