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The change in date for the official birthday of harness horses in New Zealand has been hailed as “a defining moment and a catalyst for change”.
Traditionally, all racehorses in New Zealand have had their birthdays on August 1. From now on, all standardbreds will have their birthdays on January 1.
Under the new system, a horse born in January 2020 would become one on January 1, 2021, and a horse born in November 2020 would become one on January 1, 2022.
Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) Chief Executive Gary Woodham said there was unanimous approval for the idea, which was voted on at a Special General Meeting in Christchurch last week.