The paper provides an experimental basis for preparing large grain (Nd 0.33 Eu 0.27 Gd 0.39 )Ba 2 Cu 3 O y ''NEG-123''. MgO seeds proved to be efficient in controlling growth orientation when a small quantity of ZnO of around 0.035 wt.% was added to the NEG-123 matrix. A substantial reduction of liquid phase loss was observed for a proper ZnO concentration. A perfect facet line up to the bottom of the sample with c-axis reflection plane was observed after the melt-growth implying high density of the material and practically no liquid loss. The magnetization measurements suggested that the superconducting transition temperatures were not affected up to 0.035 wt.% ZnO addition. Critical current density J c , measured at 3 T and 77 K (H a kc-axis), increased with increasing ZnO content up to 0.035 wt.%, where it reached maximum value of 100 kA/cm 2 and decreased thereafter. The scalling analysis of the pinning force density as a function of the reduced field h = H a /H irr (H irr is the irreversibility field) showed a peak at relatively high position as expected for an optimized pinning structure. The present results indicate high potential of ZnO particles for further enhancement of the material performance.