The Proisir Plate also known as the Challenge Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race historically run at Hastings Racecourse in Hawke's Bay and is New Zealand's first Group One race of the season. It is run over a distance of 1400m in September. Previously named the Tarzino Trophy, the race has been transferred to Ellerslie due to the Hastings racecourse out of action in 2025 and 2026.
The race is the first of the Hawkes Bay Triple Crown events and is followed by:
the 1600m Howden Insurance Mile in late September, and the 2040m Livamol Classic in October.
The race's timing, weight-for-age conditions and the reliably dry weather of the region at that time of the year makes the race have a strong field. Many horses heading towards a campaign in Australia choose it as a starting point.
History The Hawkes Bay Challenge Stakes was first run in April 1976 as a new Weight for age sprint to take place during the Hawkes Bay autumn carnival. The inaugural running of the event was won by New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame inductee Grey Way, ridden by Bob Skelton.
When the group grading system was introduced in New Zealand in the 1978/79 season the Challenge Stakes was given group 3 status. In 1985 the race was moved from autumn to spring and was downgraded to listed status for a time, it would regain its group status in the 1991/92 racing season.
The 2025 edition was held at Ellerslie due to the Hastings track being closed.
Name of race Hawkes Bay Challenge Stakes (1976–1989) Byerley Thoroughbred Stakes (1990) Russell's Toshiba TV Stakes (1991–1992) Russell's Akai Television Stakes (1993) Enerco Stakes (1994–1997) Mudgway Stakes (1998–2010) Makfi Challenge Stakes (2011–2016) named after Makfi, a British born shuttle stallion who stood at Westbury Stud. Tarzino Trophy (2017–2024) named after Tarzino, winner of the 2015 Victoria Derby and 2016 Rosehill Guineas and a sire who stood at Westbury Stud. Proisir Plate (2025–) named after Proisir, winner of the 2012 Spring Stakes (Newcastle) and an active sire at Rich Hill Stud.
Group status 1976–1978 (Stakes Race) 1979–1983 (Group 3) 1984–1990 (Listed) 1991–1993 (Group 3) 1994–2002 (Group 2) 2003–present (Group 1)
Notable winners Grey Way – winner of 51 races and New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame inductee Kawi – 7 Group 1 wins Melody Belle – 14 Group 1 wins including a record 13 in New Zealand and two time New Zealand Horse of the Year (2019, 2020) Mufhasa – 10 group 1 wins and two time New Zealand Horse of the Year (2009, 2012) Ocean Park – winner of the 2012 W S Cox Plate and 2013 New Zealand Horse of the Year Poetic Prince – winner of the 1988 W S Cox Plate and 1989 New Zealand Horse of the Year Rough Habit – 11 Australasian Group 1 wins and New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame inductee Seachange – 7 Group 1 wins and 2-time winner of New Zealand Horse of the Year (2006 and 2007) Starcraft – Australian visitor and subsequent European champion winning the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in Britain and the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp in France Sunline – arguably New Zealand's greatest mare, winning 13 group 1 races throughout Australasia including 2 Cox Plates, 4 times New Zealand Horse of the Year (1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002), New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame and Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee Surfers Paradise – winner of the 1991 W S Cox Plate
Seachange, Kawi, Melody Belle and Callsign Mav are all back-to-back winners of the race.
Race results Year Winner JockeyTrainer(s)Time 2nd 3rd2026 (at Ellerslie) Well WrittenMatt Cartwright Stephen Marsh 1:23.16 (soft)Alabama Lass 57Media World 592025 (at Ellerslie)Quintessa 57 Rory HutchingsMark Walker & Sam Bergerson 1:26.00 (soft) La Crique 57Tomodachi 572024Grail Seeker 56.5Matt CartwrightLance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott1:21.46 (good) Faraglioni 57Sacred Satono 592023 Skew Wiff 56.5 Opie Bosson Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson 1:23.15 (soft)Dragon Leap 59Legarto 56.52022 Dark Destroyer 58.5Lisa Allpress Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott 1:32.49 (heavy)Spring Tide 59La Crique 56.52021Callsign Mav 59Jonathan Riddell John Bary, Hastings 1:25.98 (heavy) Spring Tide 59Masetto 59 2020Callsign Mav 58.5 Jonathan Riddell John Bary, Hastings1:22.12 (dead) Supera 57Avantage 572019 Melody Belle 57Michael McNabJamie Richards, Matamata1:22.12 (good)Wyndspelle 59Helena Baby 592018 Melody Belle 56.5Shafiq RusofJamie Richards, Matamata1:24.59 (soft)Hiflyer 59Our Abbadean 572017 Close Up 59Grant CooksleyShelley Hale, Cambridge 1:27.89 (heavy)Aide Memoire 57 Underthemoonlight 572016 Kawi 59Leith InnesAlan Sharrock, New Plymouth1:24.87 (soft)El Pescado 59 Farm Boy 592015 Kawi 59Leith InnesAlan Sharrock, New Plymouth1:22.25 (soft)Ryan Mark 59Ginner Hart 592014 I Do 57Opie BossonAlan Sharrock, New Plymouth1:24.08 (soft)Pussy O’Reilly 57 Pure Champion 592013 Survived 58.5Opie BossonJohn Bary, Hastings1:32.78 (heavy)Full Of Spirit 57 Final Touch 572012 Ocean Park 58.5Lisa AllpressGary Hennessy, Matamata1:23.79 (soft)Xanadu 56.5 Justanexcuse 592011Mufhasa 59Samantha SprattStephen McKee1:23.12 (soft)Jimmy Choux 58.5Fleur de Lune 56.52010 Keep The Peace 56.5James McDonaldShaune Ritchie, Cambridge 1:26.69 (heavy)Wall Street 59Fritzy Boy 592009 Tavistock 58.5Jason WaddellAndrew Campbell, Opaki 1:22.09 (good)Mufhasa 59Sterling Prince 592008 Fritzy Boy 58.5Noel HarrisAlby MacGregor, Opaki1:24.16 (soft)Bulginbaah 59 Prince Kaapstad 58.52007 Seachange 56.5Gavin McKeonRalph Manning, Cambridge 1:23.30 (soft)Cog Hill 59 J'Adane 56.52006 Seachange 56Gavin McKeonRalph Manning, Cambridge1:21.13 (soft)Darci Brahma 58.5Kristov 592005 Xcellent 57 Michael ColemanMichael Moroney & Andrew Scott, Matamata 1:22.51 (good)Miss Potential 56 Shinzig 572004Starcraft 57 Leith InnesGarry Newham, Queensland1:22.59 (soft)Miss Potential 56Kalamata (Aus) 54.52003 (at Wanganui)Miss Potential 56Reese JonesBill Borrie1:18.02 (1340m)Tit For Taat 56Rosina Lad 582002Sunline 56Greg ChildsStephen McKee1:22.98Tit For Taat 56Cent Home 582001Fritz 58.5Noel Harris Neil Coulbeck, Leithfield1:21.19Cinder Bella 58 Figurante 562000Cent Home 58.5David WalkerJim Wallace, Opaki 1:22.14Cheiron 58Buster Brookfield 581999Hero 58.5 Mark HillsJim Campin & John Gudopp, Cambridge1:21.47Rebel 58.5 Surface 58.51998Batavian 58.5Peter JohnsonGraeme Rogerson & Keith Hawtin, Tuhikaramea1:28.42Tycoon Lil 58Covered n’ Grey 541997Pakaraka Star 58.5Jim Collett S W Gulliver, Hawera1:28.37 (heavy)Moss Downs 58Adonia 581996Vialli (Ire) 58.5Michael ColemanDave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata1:24.44Marconee 58.5 Tripta 58.51995Marconee 58.5Damon SmithGary Barlow & Jeff Lynds, Newbury, Palmerston North1:24.03Snap 58Solvit 561994Snap 54.5Lance O'SullivanDave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata1:20.32Solvit 58.5Veandercross 58.51993Calm Harbour 58.5Lance O'SullivanNoel Eales, Awapuni1:23.68Veandercross 58.5 Solvit 58.51992Surfers Paradise 58.5Lance O'SullivanDave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata1:24.11Plume 58Nassa Rocket 561991Rough Habit 58.5Michael BoyceJohn Wheeler, New Plymouth1:24.72Surfers Paradise 58Status 571990Flying Luskin 58Peter Johnson Stephen & Trevor McKee, Takanini 1:21.03Horlicks 56Catering King 58.51989Catering King 58.5Lance O'SullivanJim Gibbs1:25.23Regal City 58Silver Mask 581988Poetic Prince 57Noel HarrisJohn Wheeler, New Plymouth1:24.63Plume d’Or Veille 58.5Kairau Lad 58.51987Field Dancer 58.5Michael Coleman Jim Gibbs & Roger James1:23.4Tipit 56Crimesta 58.51986Catering King 57Brett McDonaldDave Stenning1:22.99Kinmoss 56Chance For Gold 58.51985Shagolvin 56E R Harrison1:23.16Clear Gold 58.5Abit Leica 58.51984 (September)Fothers 50Debbie Taylor1:24.85Pinson 58.5Glenside 58.51983 Burletta 44Maree LyndonFelix Patrick Campbell, Hastings1:25.76Olene 56Gee Jay 54.51982 Volare 54.5Noel HarrisMalcolm Smith, Awapuni1:26.4Anderil 57.5Diploma 57.51981Gold Hope 53.5Bruce ComptonRay Verner, Takanini1:20.9Anderil 57.5Hai Tai 571980Coobers Queen 53.5K RobinsonP Melville, Kaponga1:27.13Disraeli 57.5Orchidra 56.51979Vice Regal 57.5Bill SkeltonJim Campin, Cambridge1:24.5La Mer 56.5Fraxy 57.51978Silver Liner 56Chris McNabEric Ropiha, Woodville1:23.4Milo 56.5Nurioopta 57.51977Copper Belt 57.5Gary PhillipsBrian Deacon, Hawera1:30.8Battle Eve 56.5Blue Blood 57.51976 (April)Grey Way 57.5Bob SkeltonE P Corby, Washdyke1:23.4Chrisarda 57Syndrome 57.5
See also Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand, includes a list of winners of all three Hawkes Bay Triple Crown races and other major NZ races Hawke's Bay Guineas
References