The racing of Thoroughbred horses (or gallopers, as they are also known) is a popular gaming and spectator sport and industry in New Zealand.
Thoroughbred horse racing commenced soon after European settlement. The first totalisator machine in the world was installed at Ellerslie Racecourse in 1913, see Sir George Julius).
Thoroughbred racing with the associated aspects such as horse breeding, training and care, race betting, race-day management and entertainment has gradually developed into an industry worth billions of dollars. The governing body is the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Incorporated.
Thoroughbred racing is held throughout New Zealand, including courses in some of the smaller centres.
Club | Course, Town/city/province | Track | Direction | Straight | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ashburton RC | Ashburton, New Zealand | 1876m | left-handed | 382m | |
Auckland RC | Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland | 1876m | right-handed | 382m | |
Avondale JC | Avondale, Auckland | 1800m | right-handed | 450m | |
Banks Peninsula RC | Motukarara, Canterbury | 1800m | left-handed | 400m | |
Beaumont RC | Wingatui, Dunedin (since 1987) | 2000m | left-handed | 350m | Part of Gallop South |
Cambridge RC | Te Rapa, Hamilton | 1800m | left-handed | 420m | NZ's first synthetic track in 2020 |
Canterbury JC | Riccarton Park, Christchurch | 2400m | left-handed | 400m | includes a synthetic track [1] |
Central Otago RC | Omakau | 1600m | left-handed | 300m | Part of Gallop South. Formerly the Vincent Jockey Club |
Counties RC | Pukekohe Park, Franklin | 1900m | right-handed | 520m | |
Dargaville RC | Awakino Point | 1600m | left-handed | 350m | Was 1 meeting per year, in November. Last held in 2016. |
Egmont RC | Hawera | 1822m | left-handed | 350m | |
Feilding JC | Awapuni, Palmerston North | 1700m | left-handed | 350m | Part of RACE |
Foxton RC | Previously raced at Foxton, Horowhenua | 1811m | left-handed | 349m | Trials only. No Raceday meetings being held |
Gore RC | Gore, Southland | 1600m | left-handed | 350m | Part of Gallop South |
Greymouth JC | Omoto, West Coast, South Island | 1200m | left-handed | 250m | |
Hawkes Bay Racing Inc | Hastings | 1700m | left-handed | 375m | |
Kumara RC | Kumara, West Coast | 1500m | left-handed | 300m | 1 meeting per year, in January |
Kurow JC | Kurow, North Otago | 1600m | left-handed | 350m | 1 meeting per year, late December |
Levin RC | Otaki, Horowhenua | 1800m | left-handed | 400m | |
Manawatu RC | Awapuni, Palmerston North | 1700m | left-handed | 350m | Part of RACE [2] Synthetic track planned |
Marlborough RC | Waterlea, Blenheim | 1700m | left-handed | 300m | |
Marton JC | Awapuni, Palmerston North | 1700m | left-handed | 350m | Part of RACE |
Masterton RC | Tauherenikau Racecourse, near Featherston, Wairarapa | 1810m | left-handed | 315m | 1 meeting per year, in March |
Matamata RC | Matamata | 1628m | left-handed | 400m | |
Oamaru JC | Oamaru, North Otago | 1800m | left-handed | 350m | |
Otago RC | Wingatui & Cromwell | 2000m & 1600m | left-handed both | 350m both | |
Otaki-Maori RC | Otaki, Horowhenua | 1800m | left handed | 400m | the sole surviving Maori club in New Zealand |
Pakuranga Hunt | Ellerslie Racecourse | 1876m | right-handed | 382m | the feature event is the Pakuranga Hunt Steeplechase in August |
Poverty Bay Turf Club | Ashwood Park, Gisborne | 1800m | left-handed | 400m | |
Rangitikei RC | Awapuni, Palmerston North | 1700m | left-handed | 350m | Part of RACE |
Reefton JC | Reefton | 1140m | left handed | 230m | the smallest galloping track in New Zealand. 1 meeting in January |
Riverton RC | Riverton, near Invercargill | 1650m | left-handed | 400m | Part of Gallop South |
Racing Rotorua | Arawa Park, Rotorua | 1600m | left-handed | 300m | |
Rotorua & Bay of Plenty Hunt | Arawa Park, Rotorua | 1600m | left-handed | 300m | 1 meeting per year, held in September |
South Canterbury RC | Phar Lap raceway, Timaru | 1800m | left-handed | 400m | |
South Waikato RC | Matamata | 1628m | left-handed | 400m | 1 meeting per year, held in March |
Southland RC | Ascot Park, Invercargill | 1800m | left-handed | 215m | The southern-most course in New Zealand |
Stratford RC | Te Kapua, Stratford | 1600m | left-handed | 400m | 1 meeting per year, held in late December. No meeting from the 2019/20 season on. [3] |
Tapanui RC | Wingatui, Dunedin | 2000m | left-handed | 350m | 1 meeting per year, held in December. Part of Gallop South |
Taranaki Racing Inc | New Plymouth | 1600m | left-handed | 375m | |
Taumarunui | Arawa Park, Rotorua | 1600m | left-handed | 300m | 1 meeting per year, held in July |
Racing Taupo | Centennial Park, Taupo | 1600m | left-handed | 320m | Part of TRAC [4] |
Racing Tauranga | Tauranga | 1800m | right-handed | 350m | Part of TRAC |
Racing Te Aroha | Te Aroha | 1900m | right-handed | 500m | Part of TRAC |
Thames JC | Te Aroha | 1900m | right handed | 500m | 1 meeting per year, early January. Part of TRAC |
Waikato RC | Te Rapa, Hamilton | 1800m | left-handed | 420m | |
Waikouaiti RC | Waikouaiti, 30 km north of Dunedin | 1550m | left-handed | 350m | 1 meeting per year, held on New Year's Day |
Waimate RC | From 2020 at Phar Lap, Timaru. Historically at Waimate | 1800m / (1550m) | Left-handed | 400m/(250m) | 1 meeting per year. Last meeting at Waimate course 9/6/2019 |
Waipa RC | Te Awamutu | 1650m | Right-handed | 300m | |
Waipukurau JC | Waipukurau, Central Hawkes Bay | 1800m | left-handed | 450m | 2 meetings per year, held in December and March |
Wairarapa RC | Tauherenikau Racecourse, near Featherston, Wairarapa | 1810m | left-handed | 315m | |
Wairio JC | Ascot Park, Invercargill | 1800m | left-handed | 215m | 1 meeting in May |
Wairoa RC | Te Kupenga | 1660m | left-handed | 245m | 2 meetings in February |
Wanganui JC | Wanganui | 1650m | left-handed | 325m | sand based track |
Waverley RC | Waverley | 1800m | left-handed | 375m | |
Wellington Racing Club | Trentham Racecourse, Upper Hutt | 2000m | left-handed | 450m | Part of RACE |
Westland RC | Hokitika | 1290m | right-handed | 340m | 1 meeting per year, only right handed track in the South Island |
Whakatane RC | Te Teko, Whakatane | 1800m | right-handed | 420m | 2 meetings per year |
Whangarei RC | Ruakaka, 30 km south of Whangarei | 1800m | right-handed | 400m | |
Winton JC | Winton and Ascot Park | 1786m | Left-handed | 270m | Part of Gallop South |
Woodville-Pahiatua RC | Woodville | 1800m | left-handed | 375m | |
Wyndham RC | Gore, Southland | 1600m | left-handed | 350m | 1 meeting per year, held in March |
Race | Group | Type | Stake | Month | Location | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tarzino Trophy | 1 | Weight for Age | $300,000 (2022) [5] | August/September | Hastings | 1400m |
Arrowfield Stud Plate (Windsor Park Plate) | 1 | Weight for Age | $300,000 (2022) [6] | September | Hastings | 1600m |
Livamol Classic | 1 | Weight for Age | $330,000 (2022) [7] | October | Hastings | 2040m |
Hawke's Bay Guineas | 2 | 3YO SW | $140,000 (2022) [8] | October | Hastings | 1400m |
New Zealand 2000 Guineas | 1 | 3YO SW | $550,000 (2022) [9] | November | Riccarton Racecourse | 1600m |
New Zealand 1000 Guineas | 1 | 3YO Fillies SW | $400,000 (2022) [10] | November | Riccarton Racecourse | 1600m |
New Zealand Cup | 3 | Open HCP | $300,000 (2022) [11] | November | Riccarton Racecourse | 3200m |
Captain Cook Stakes | 1 | Weight for Age | $300,000 (2022) [12] | December (2009 onwards) | Trentham Racecourse | 1600m |
Zabeel Classic | 1 | Weight for Age | $320,000 (2022) [13] | December | Ellerslie Racecourse | 2000m |
Railway Stakes | 1 | Open SWP | $300,000 (2023) [14] | January | Ellerslie Racecourse | 1200m |
Telegraph Handicap | 1 | Weight for Age | $350,000 (2023) [15] | January | Trentham Racecourse | 1200m |
Trentham Stakes | 3 | SWP | $100,000 (2023) [16] | January | Trentham Racecourse | 2100m |
Karaka Million 2YO | R | 2YO (Restricted) | $1,000,000 (2023) [17] | January | Ellerslie Racecourse | 1200m |
Karaka Million 3YO Classic | R | 3YO (Restricted) | $1,000,000 (2023) [18] | January | Ellerslie Racecourse | 1600m |
Desert Gold Stakes | 3 | 3YO Fillies SW | $80,000 (2022) [19] | January | Trentham Racecourse | 1600m |
Thorndon Mile | 1 | Open SWP | $220,000 (2022) [20] | January | Trentham Racecourse | 1600m |
Wellington Cup | 3 | Open HCP | $300,000 (2022) [21] | January | Trentham Racecourse | 3200m |
Avondale Cup | 2 | Open | $120,000 (2022) [22] | February | Ellerslie Racecourse | 2400m |
BCD Group Sprint | 1 | Weight for Age | $220,000 (2022) [23] | February | Te Rapa | 1400m |
Herbie Dyke Stakes | 1 | Weight for Age | $400,000 (2022) [24] | February | Te Rapa | 2000m |
Otaki-Maori Weight for Age | 1 | Weight for Age | $220,000 (2022) [25] | February | Otaki | 1600m |
New Zealand Derby | 1 | 3YO SW | $1,000,000 (2022) [26] | March (2006 onwards) | Ellerslie Racecourse | 2400m |
Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes | 1 | Weight for Age | $240,000 (2022) [27] | March | Ellerslie Racecourse | 2000m |
Ellerslie Sires Produce Stakes/Sistema Stakes | 1 | 2YO SW | $240,000 (2022) [28] | March | Ellerslie Racecourse | 1400m |
Auckland Cup | 2 | Open SWP | $500,000 (2022) [29] | March | Ellerslie Racecourse | 3200m |
New Zealand Oaks | 1 | 3YO Fillies SW | $400,000 (2021) | March | Trentham Racecourse | 2400m |
New Zealand St. Leger | L | Open SWP (prev 3yo & 3-4yo) | $60,000 (2022) | March | Trentham Racecourse | 2600m |
Levin Classic | 1 | 3YO SW | $260,000 (2022) | March (2022 Onwards) | Trentham Racecourse | 1600m |
Awapuni Gold Cup | 2 | Open | $100,000 (2021) | March/April | Awapuni | 2000m |
Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes | 1 | 2YO SW | $245,000 (2022) | March/April | Awapuni | 1400m |
Championship Stakes | 2 | 3YO | $100,000 (2021) | March/April | Ellerslie Racecourse | 2100m |
Easter Handicap | 3 | 3YO+ Open HCP | $100,000 (2021) | March/April | Ellerslie Racecourse | 1600m |
New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes | 1 | 3YO+ Fillies & Mares | $220,000 (2022) | April | Te Aroha / Te Rapa | 1600m |
Auckland Futurity Stakes (Great Northern Foal Stakes) | L | 2YO | $70,000 (2022) [30] | May | Ellerslie Racecourse | |
Great Northern Hurdles | P | Jumping Hurdles | $150,000 (2022) [31] | September | Ellerslie Racecourse | 4190m |
Great Northern Steeplechase | P | Jumping Steeplechase | $150,000 (2022) [32] | September | Ellerslie Racecourse | 6400m |
Grand National Hurdles | P | Jumping Hurdles | $100,000 (2022) [33] | August | Riccarton Racecourse | 4200m |
Grand National Steeplechase | P | Jumping Steeplechase | $100,000 (2022) [34] | August | Riccarton Racecourse | 5600m |
DB Draught Classic | Weight for Age | $950,000 (1989) & $970,000 (1990) | Only raced twice (March 1989 and 1990) | Ellerslie Racecourse | 2100m |
Name | Born | Occupation | Contribution and Honours | Key horses associated with |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lisa Allpress | Jockey | 4 NZ jockey Premierships (2012, 2016, 2019 and 2020), 1672 NZ winning rides (as at July 2021) [35] | Blood Brotha, Dark Destroyer, Jimmy Mac, Lunna Rossa, Ocean Park, Sentimental Miss, We Can Say It Now | |
Murray Baker | 1946 | Trainer | New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, 5 Australian Derby wins | Dundeel, Jon Snow, Mongolian Khan, Nom du Jeu, Quick Thinker, Vin De Dance |
Opie Bosson | 1980 | Jockey | Winner of 78 group 1 races (10 in Australia) | Avantage, Gingernuts, Melody Belle, Mongolian Khan, Grand Archway, Probabeel, Quick Thinker, Te Akau Shark |
Bill Broughton [36] | 1913-1990 | Jockey | New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, [37] New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, 11 times New Zealand Champion jockey, 1446 winners in New Zealand plus 11 in Australia | Sombrero, Soneri |
Jim Cassidy | 1963 | Jockey | Winner of 104 Group One races, Australian Racing Hall of Fame, New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | Kiwi, Might and Power, Rough Habit |
John Bernard (Cos) Costello | 1937 - 2019 | Journalist and Author [38] | Six decades in racing journalism, editor of the New Zealand Racing Annual and Blood Horse magazine and numerous racing books including Tapestry of Turf. Inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame [39] | |
Sue Day (Walsh) | Jockey / trainer | First Kiwi woman to win in a totaliser race in New Zealand when winning on Jaws at Timaru | As a trainer: Chatham (NZ), Exquisite Jewel | |
Midge Didham | 1945 | Jockey and trainer | Winning rider in 1970 Melbourne Cup and 1980 & 1981 Caulfield Cups | Baghdad Note, Ming Dynasty, Silver Bounty |
Shane Dye | 1966 | Jockey | 4 consecutive Golden Slippers, Australian Racing Hall of Fame, New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | Octagonal, Tawriffic |
Hector Gray | 1885-1957 | Jockey and Trainer | 7 NZ jockey premierships | |
Bill Hazlett | 1905-1978 | Owner and breeder | First New Zealander to win more than 1,000 races as an owner. New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | Eiffel Tower |
Sir Patrick Hogan KNZM CBE [40] | 1939 | Cambridge Stud master, breeder, owner | Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Australian Racing Hall of Fame, New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame [41] | Sir Tristram, Zabeel |
Joanne Hale (Giles) | 1950 | Jockey | First Kiwi woman to ride in a totaliser race in New Zealand on 15 July 1978 at Waimate | |
Roger James | Horse trainer | Winner of many Group ones in New Zealand and Australia, including New Zealand Derby five times | Silent Achiever, Tidal Light, Zonda | |
Colin Jillings | 1931 - 2022 | Trainer | New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | Stipulate, McGinty, Uncle Remus, The Phantom Chance |
Chris Johnson | Jockey | Holds the record for NZ winning rides, previously held by David Walsh | Canterbury Belle, Loader, Savvy Coup, Sea Swift, Tartan Tights, Tycoon Lil | |
Linda Jones [42] | 1952 | Jockey | Trail blazing woman jockey. New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | Holy Toledo, Lavaro |
Sheila Laxon | Trainer | First female trainer to win the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double | Empire Rose, Ethereal | |
Maree Lyndon [43] | Jockey | First female winner of a Group One (the 1982 New Zealand Cup), 1990 Auckland Cup, first female to win a 3200m Cup in Australia (the 1987 Adelaide Cup, Lord Reims) and ride in the Melbourne Cup (1987), [44] 544 winners (428 in New Zealand) | Argonaut Style, Miss Stanima, Sirtain | |
Trevor McKee and Stephen McKee | Trainers | New Zealand Order of Merit. 42 Group 1 wins, including Sunline’s Cox Plate double and Hong Kong Sprint | Sunline, Mufhasa, Solveig, Interval, Royal Tiara, Moonshine, Captivate, Boundless, Keepa Cruisin, Flying Luskin, Culminate, O’Marylin, Passing Shot, Pay My Bail | |
Lance O'Sullivan [45] | 1963 | Jockey | New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit | Horlicks, Popsy, Waverley Star |
Paul O'Sullivan | 1959 | Trainer | Horlicks, Popsy, Surfers Paradise | |
Seton Otway | 1894-1989 | Founder of Trelawney Stud | New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | Foxbridge, Alcimedes |
Jamie Richards | Trainer | Avantage, Gingernuts, Melody Belle, Probabeel, Te Akau Shark, Xtravagant | ||
Graeme Rogerson | Trainer | New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | Efficient, Katie Lee, Savabeel | |
George Simon | Race caller | Long-time North Island race caller and TAB Trackside television presenter | ||
Robert James (Bob) Skelton | 1934-2016 | Jockey | New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, [41] New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, Member of the Order of the British Empire | Great Sensation, Van der Hum |
William David (Bill) Skelton | 1931-2016 | Jockey | New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, [41] New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, Member of the Order of the British Empire | |
Brent Thomson | 1958 | Jockey | Australian Racing Hall of Fame, New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | Dandy Andy, Dulcify, Family of Man, Lord Reims, Strawberry Road |
Michael Walker | 1984 | Jockey | Darci Brahma, Tagaloa, Tit for Taat | |
Chris Waller | 1973 | Trainer | Australian Racing Hall of Fame, New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | Winx |
David Walsh | 1959 [46] | Jockey | Previously held the record for most NZ wins (2451). [47] Over 2500 wins worldwide, including the Telegraph Handicap (3x), W. S. Cox Plate, Brisbane Cup and Adelaide Cup. [47] Married Sue Day, the first New Zealand woman to win a race against male jockeys. | Tanalyse, Courier Bay, Solvit |
For further prominent people in New Zealand thoroughbred racing, see the list of honorees of the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.
According to www.racebase.co.nz the jockeys with over 2000 New Zealand wins are:
As at October 2022:
In April 2014 David Walsh broke Lance O'Sullivan's record for the most New Zealand wins. On 19 December 2020, Chris Johnson took the record for New Zealand winners from Walsh when he rode Sassenach to win at Awapuni. To this date Chris has won 21 group 1 races.
In July 2020 senior jockey Michael Coleman retired after suffering injuries. He had won 39 group 1 wins in his career.
On 17 February 2021 Danielle Johnson rode her 1000th winner, when she brought home Feelin’ Fancy in race 1 at Te Aroha. Her father, Peter Johnson, rode 1370 winners in his career.
Linda Jones was the first to apply for an apprentice's licence and be turned down. She had ridden in a number of lady riders events over many years in New Zealand and overseas such as in Brazil, which highlighted that New Zealand and Australia were outliers in not allowing women to compete with male jockeys in professional races.
The first win by a woman in New Zealand was visiting Canadian jockey Joan Phipps, at Te Awamutu in November 1977.
In 1977 the New Zealand Racing Conference accepted female jockeys and they became eligible to ride on 15 July 1978 with the first Kiwi woman to ride in a totaliser race in New Zealand being Joanne Hale (Giles) on that day at Waimate. Sue Day (Christchurch), Joanne Lamond (Oamaru) and Vivienne Kaye (Awapuni) rode in later races on that day.
Sue Day became the first New Zealand female jockey winner in a totalisator race against males on 22 July 1978 when she won with the Ned Thistoll-trained Jaws in the Waybrook Handicap at Timaru. [48] Another female jockey riding then was Cherie Saxon (Hastings). [49]
Linda Jones' first win was on Big Bickies at Te Rapa and soon after Royal Petite was the first Open Handicap winner for a female jockey. Subsequent highlight wins for Linda were Lovaro in the Queen Elizabeth Handicap and Holy Toledo in the Wellington Derby on 22 January 1979 (possibly the first female jockey world-wide to win a Derby). Linda Jones was also the first female jockey to win a professional race against males at a registered meeting in Australia, winning aboard Pay The Purple in the Labour Day Cup at Doomben, Brisbane on May 7, 1979. [50]
Maree Lyndon was the first female jockey to win a Group I race in New Zealand when winning the 1982 New Zealand Cup on Sirtain. [51]
Although there was resistance from some industry participants, female jockeys have competed with great skill and success.
Female riders have subsequently gone on to win the New Zealand premiership:
Other female riders of note include:
In late February 2020 Lisa Allpress was the first female to win a thoroughbred race in Saudi Arabia on the horse Matmon at King Abdullah Aziz racetrack in Riyadh. [59] She was competing in the inaugural International Jockeys Challenge in which she competed with 14 other jockeys including 7 women. She won the very first race in the challenge. The challenge was won by American Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, Swiss-born Germany based Sibylle Vogt was second while Lisa was third equal with French jockey Mickaelle Michel. [60]
The following contains details of some of the top New Zealand horses. As well as those winning major races within New Zealand, locally owned and/or trained horses frequently go to Australia for racing campaigns or permanently due to the higher stake money in that country.
Between 1882 and 2019 [update] New Zealand-bred horses won Australia's Melbourne Cup 43 times. [61] During the 2008-09 racing season 19 New Zealand-bred Thoroughbreds won 22 Group One races around the world. [62]
Horses may also go to Asia (mainly Hong Kong or Singapore) or on occasions to Europe or the United States.
Horse | Born | Sire | Dam | Grandsire | Damsire | Key Progeny | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Darci Brahma | 2002 | Danehill | Grand Echezeaux | Danzig | Zabeel | Catalyst, Gust Of Wind, Julinsky Prince, Nashville, | |
Foxbridge | 1930 | Foxlaw | Bridgemount | Son-in-Law (GB) | Bridge Of Earn (GB) | Damsire of: Hi Jinx, Hiraji, Macdougal, Silver Knight | The Foxbridge Plate is raced at Te Rapa over 1200m |
O’Reilly | 1993-2014 [66] | Last Tycoon (Ire) | Courtza (NZ) | Try My Best (USA) | Pompeii Court (USA) | Alamosa, Final Destination, Sacred Falls, Shamrocker, Silent Achiever, The Jewel | |
Pakistan II | 1958 - 1972 [67] | Palestine | Tambara | Fair Trial | Nasrullah | ||
Savabeel | 2001 | Zabeel | Savannah Success | Sir Tristram | Success Express | Kawi, Probabeel, Sangster, Scarlett Lady, Shillelagh | |
Sir Tristram (Ire) | 1971-1997 | Sir Ivor (USA) | Isolt | Sir Gaylord | Round Table, USA | Brew, Empire Rose, Grosvenor, Gurner's Lane, Marauding, Tristarc, Zabeel | Did not race in NZ. 1982/83, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1988/89 & 1989/90 Leading sire in Australia, 2008: inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame |
Volksraad | 1998-2011 | Green Desert (USA) | Celtic Assembly | Danzig (USA) | Secretariat | Sir Slick, Military Move, Torlesse | |
Zabeel | 1986-2015 | Sir Tristram | Lady Giselle | Sir Ivor | Nureyev | Efficient, Jezabeel, Lonhro, Might and Power, Octagonal, Savabeel, Vengeance of Rain, Zonda | 1998-99 & 1997-98 Leading sire in Australia. The Zabeel Classic is raced at Ellerslie |
Zamazaan | 1965-1990 | Exbury | Toyama | Le Haar | Tulyar | Beau Zam, Gelsomino, Good Lord, Lord Reims | |
The following are the recent winners of major cups.
Year | New Zealand Cup (Riccarton) 3200m | Auckland Cup (Ellerslie) 3200m | Wellington Cup (Trentham) 3200/2400m | Awapuni Gold Cup (Awapuni) 2000m | Waikato Gold Cup (Te Rapa) 2400m | Counties Cup (Pukekohe) 2100m | Manawatu Cup (Awapuni) 2300m | Avondale Cup (Avondale) 2400 /2200 /2000m |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | ||||||||
2022 | Aljay | Uareastar | Lincoln King | Zola Express | Viktor Vegas | Aromatic | Sagunto | Hinepara |
2021 | Mondorani | Ocean Billy | Waisake | Beauden | Cheaperthan divorce | Justamaiz | Marroni | Robusto |
2020 | Dragon Storm | Roger That | Soleseifei | not held | Ocean Billy | In A Twinkling | Hunta Pence | Polzeath |
2019 | Dee And Gee | Glory Days | Gorbachev | Jacksstar | Justamaiz | In A Twinkling | Concert Hall | Glory Days |
2018 | Bizzwinkle | Ladies First | Magic Chai | Our Abbadean | Mongolian Marsh | Igraine | Rock On | Zacada |
2017 | Gobstopper | Chenille | Savaria | Sampson | Five to Midnight | Maygrove | Clarify | El Soldado |
2016 | Pump Up The Volume | El Soldado | Mister Impatience | Maygrove | Lizzie Lamour | Chocante | Jacksstar | Sacred Master |
2015 | Jimmy Mac | Rock Diva | Maygrove | Iamwishwara | Vavasour | Vavasour | Weregoingtogetcha | Farm Boy |
2014 | Mungo Jerry | Who Shot Thebarman | Graphic | Soriana | Surpass | Noble Warrior | Perfect Start | Who Shot Thebarman |
2013 | Spring Cheer | Sangster | Blood Brotha | Better Than Ever | More Than Sacred | Annie Higgins | Military Move | Sangster |
2012 | Blood Brotha | Shez Sinsational | Six O'Clock News | Riomoral | Annie Higgins | Jeu De Cartes | Ransomed | Single Minded |
2011 | Blood Brotha | Titch | Spiro | Hold It Harvey | Dawn Ghost | Postmans Daughter | Cassini | Showcause |
2010 | Showcause | Zavite | Red Ruler | Sir Slick | Bruce Almighty | Tinseltown | Tullaroan | [not raced] |
2009 | My Scotsgrey | Spin Around | Megapins | MacO'Reilly | Passchendale | Boundless | High Octane | Ginga Dude |
2008 | Hoorang | Prize Lady | Young Centaur | Sir Slick | Lovetrista | Galleons Reach | Jonbalena | Tinseltown |
2007 | Everswindell | Prize Lady | Willy Smith | Sir Slick | Mirkola Lass | Spin Around | Nanjara | Spin Around |
2006 | Pentathlon | Pentane | Envoy | Tusker | Bak Da Chief | Chettak | Chettak | Sharvasti |
2005 | Trebla | Bazelle | Zabeat | Distinctly Secret | Kerry O'Reilly | Kerry O'Reilly | All Square | Creil |
2004 | Waltermitty | Upsetthym | Cluden Creek | Irish Rover / Distinctly Secret | Singing Star | St Reims | Tantalic | The Mighty Lion |
2003 | Torlesse | Bodie | Oarsmen | Maze | El Duce | Leica Guv & Penny Gem | Rising Heights | Regal Krona |
2002 | Mike | Maguire | Cyclades | Cent Home | El Duce | Deecee Belle | Small Town Boy | Regal Krona |
2001 | Soldier Blue | Our Unicorn | Smiling Like | Cronus | Okiwi Bay | Kaapeon | Beaujolais | Greene Street |
2000 | Smiling Like | Able Master | Second Coming | Cruzeiro | Bluebird The Word | King Keitel | Reign Supreme | Shes a Meanie |
1999 | Wake Forest | Irish Chance | Miss Bailey | Emerald | Rijeka | The Mighty Finn | Tokyo Beau | Trounced |
1998 | Sapio | Jezabeel * | Aerosmith | Magnet Bay | Dannevegas | Glendara | Emerald | Yes Indeed |
1997 | Laud Peregrine | Yobro | Ed | Interval | La Sileen | Somojo | Paddy O’Riley | Silky Oak |
The following table contains the recent winners of major races for sprinters (generally distances of 1500m or less).
The winners of the Tarzino Trophy over 1400m are shown in the table for New Zealand's Hastings Triple Crown.
Year | Railway Stakes (Ellerslie) 1200m | Telegraph Handicap (Trentham) 1200m | Waikato Sprint (Te Rapa) 1400m | Stewards Stakes Handicap (Riccarton) 1200m | Otaki-Maori Weight for Age (Otaki) 1400m / 1600m | Foxbridge Plate (Te Rapa) 1400m |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Imperatriz | Levante | ||||
2022 | Entriviere | Levante | Levante | Buoyant | Marscarpone | Imperatriz |
2021 | Avantage | Avantage | Avantage | Summer Monsoon | Avantage | Mascarpone |
2020 | Julius | Avantage | Te Akau Shark | Prince Oz | Avantage | Avantage |
2019 | Santa Monica | Enzo's Lad | Melody Belle | Sheezallmine | Melody Belle | Endless Drama |
2018 | Volpe Veloce | Enzo's Lad | Start Wondering | Prince Oz | Devise | Melody Belle |
2017 | Start Wondering | Signify | Start Wondering | Carnival | Kawi | Under the Moonlight |
2016 | Ryan Mark | Adventador | Xtravagant | Reilly Lincoln | Volkstok 'n' barrel | Saracino |
2015 | In Style | Sacred Star | Sacred Star | El Chico | Iamishwara | Addictive Habit |
2014 | Bounding | Irish Fling | Viadana | Soubrettes | Nashville | I Do |
2013 | Fleur de Lune | Final Touch | Final Touch | Durham Town | Nashville | Postman's Daughter |
2012 | Atomic Force | Guiseppina | Veyron | King Montrose | Veyron | Fleur de Lune |
2011 | Miss Raggedy Ann | Mufhasa | Mufhasa | El Chico | Keep The Peace | Fritzy Boy |
2010 | A Gold Trail | Vonusti | Tavistock | Coup Align | Mufhasa | Bulginbaah |
2009 | Jacowils | Mufhasa | Mufhasa | Coup Align | Culminata | Bulginbaah |
2008 | Imananabaa | Seachange | Seachange | San Bernadino | Alamosa | Jacowils |
2007 | Donna Rosta | Darci Brahma | Darci Brahma | Coup Bloomsbury | Sir Slick | Baltaine |
2006 | Baldessarini | Gee I Jane | Kristov | Clifton Prince | Darci Brahma | not raced |
2005 | Recurring | Keeninsky | Sedecrem | Clifton Prince | Zveda | Irish Rover |
2004 | Vinaka | King's Chapel | Sedecrem | Opiki | King's Chapel | El Duce |
2003 | Egyptian Raine | Tit for Taat | Tit for Taat | Fingalbunt | Critic | King Keitel |
2002 | Sound the Alarm | Vinaka | Sunline | Ima Royal | No Mean City | O'Malleys Boy |
2001 | Fritz | Star of Gold | Sunline | Life Of Riley | Star Satire | The Message |
2000 | Cannsea | Fritz | Tall Poppy | Tooth | Surface | The Message |
1999 | Bawalakasana | Bawalakasana | Surface | Joe Hero | Hero | What Can I Say |
1998 | Coogee Walk | Vegas | Rebel | Morgan Bay | Centre Crest | Our Orb |
1997 | Kailey | O'Reilly | Avedon | Highanabove | It's My Sin | Adonia |
Enzo's Lad which won the Telegraph Handicap in 2018 and 2019 was 2nd in 2020. El Chico was aged 11 when winning its second Stewards Stakes in 2011, a race record.
The following are the recent winners of other notable races.
Year | Couplands Mile (Riccarton) 1600m | Captain Cook Stakes (Trentham) 1600m | Zabeel Classic (Ellerslie) 2000m | Thorndon Mile (Trentham) 1600m | New Zealand International Stakes (Te Rapa) 2000m | Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (Ellerslie) 2000m | Easter Handicap (Ellerslie) 1600m |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | |||||||
2022 | He's A Doozy | Prise De Fer | Defibrillate | The Chosen One | Coventina Bay | Coventina Bay | Carolina Reaper |
2021 | Markus Aurelius | Two Illicit | Tiptronic | Melody Belle | Royal Performer | Melody Belle | Demonetization |
2020 | Hypnos | Rock On Wood | Concert Hall | The Mitigator | Tiptronic | Avantage | (no race due to COVID-19) |
2019 | True Enough | Wyndspelle | True Enough | Shadows Cast | On The Rocks | Melody Belle | Endless Drama |
2018 | Te Akau Shark | Danzdanzdance | Danzdanzdance | Stolen Dance | Lizzie L'Amour | Saint Emilion | Megablast |
2017 | Shadows Cast / Son Of Maher | Kawi | Authentic Paddy | Thee Auld Floozie | Volkstok'n'barrell | Lizzie L'Amour | Seventh Up |
2016 | Battle Time | Aide Memoire | Consensus | Kawi | Valley Girl | Volkstok'n'barrell | Sound proposition |
2015 | Addictive Habit | Julinsky Prince | Kawi | Puccini | Soriano | Sakhee's Soldier | Pondarosa Miss |
2014 | Addictive Habit | Shuka | Soriano | A Touch Of Ruby | Costume | Silent Achiever | Albany Reunion |
2013 | Scapolo | Shuka | Historian | Historian | Sangster | Ocean Park | Viadana |
2012 | Nashville | Final Touch | Veyron | Say No More | Shez Sinsational | Scarlett Lady | Veyron |
2011 | Platinum Prince | Mufhasa | Shez Sinsational | Booming | Red Ruler | The Party Stand | Veyron |
2010 | Altered Image | We Can Say It Now | Booming | Wall Street | Veloce Bella | Vosne Romanee | Time Keeper |
The following are the recent winners of major races for 3-year-old horses.
Year | Hawke's Bay Guineas (Hastings) 1400m | Auckland / Great Northern Guineas 2100m / 1600m [68] | Waikato Guineas (Te Rapa) 2000m | Avondale Guineas 1600m / 2100m [68] | Wellington Guineas (Trentham) 1500m / 1400m | New Zealand Derby (Ellerslie) 2400m | New Zealand 1000 Guineas (Riccarton) 3YO fillies 1600m | New Zealand 2000 Guineas (Riccarton) 1600m | Levin Classic (Otaki / Trentham) 1600m | New Zealand Oaks (Trentham) 3YO fillies 2400m | Desert Gold Stakes (Trentham) 3YO fillies 1600m |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | |||||||||||
2022 | Pier | Dark Destroyer | Field of Gold | La Crique | Shamus | Asterix | Legarto | Pier | Imperatriz | Belle En Rouge | La Crique |
2021 | Mana Nui | Rocket Spade | Tokorangi | Rocket Spade | Need I Say More | Rocket Spade | The Perfect Pink | Noverre | Bonham | Amarelinha | Force Of Will |
2020 | Aegon | Dragon Leap | Two Illicit | Dragon Leap | Gold Bracelet [70] | Sherwood Forest | Kahma Lass | Aegon | Travelling Light | Jennifer Eccles | Showbeel |
2019 | Catalyst | Surely Sacred | Sponge Bob | Surely Sacred | Emily Margaret | Crown Prosecutor | Loire | Catalyst | Madison County | Sentimental Miss | Secret Allure |
2018 | Madison County | Demonet ization | Xbox | On The Rocks | Scott Base | Vin De Dance | Media Sensation | Madison County | Age Of Fire | Savvy Coup | Dijon Bleu |
2017 | Hard Merchandize | Swissta | Wyndspelle | Gingernuts | Saracino | Gingernuts | Hasahalo | Embellish | Hall Of Fame | Bonneval | Nicoletta |
2016 | Mongolian Falcon | Rangipo | Rangipo | Rangipo | The Justice League | Rangipo | La Dioso | Ugo Foscolo | Dukedom | Fanatic | Duchess Kate |
2015 | Amarula | Volkstock n barrel | Mongolian Khan | Mongolian Khan | Vespa | Mongolian Khan | Risque | Xtravagant | Gaultier | Savaria | Platinum Witness |
2014 | Turn Me Loose | not raced | Puccini | Puccini | not raced | Puccini | Platinum Witness | Turn Me Loose | Recite | Miss Mossman | Moozoon |
2013 | Sir Andrew | Puccini | Castizeberg | Valbuena | Sacred Park | Habibi | Costa Viva | Atlante | n/a | More Than Sacred | High Fashion |
2012 | Sacred Falls | Habibi | Silent Achiever | Silent Achiever | Neo | Silent Achiever | Rollout The Carpet | Sacred Falls | Southern Lord | Artistic | Quintessential |
2011 | Antonio Lombardo | Knight's Tour | Jimmy Choux | Icepin | President Lincoln | Jimmy Choux | Planet Rock | Rock "n" Pop | Distill | Midnight Oil | Dating |
2010 | Jimmy Choux | Jimmy Choux | Zarzuela | not raced | Barside | Military Move | King's Rose | Jimmy Choux | We Can Say It Now | Keep The Peace | Keep The Peace |
2009 | Keyora | Zarzuela | Easy Ryder | Joey Massino | Keyora | Coniston Bluebird | Katie Lee | Katie Lee | Eileen Dubh | Jungle Rocket | Glamorous Girl |
2008 | Tell A Tale | Le Baron | Nom Du Jeu | Tell A Tale | Skirmish | C'est La Guerre | Daffodil | Tell A Tale | Altered Image | Boundless | Keepa Cruisin |
2007 | Alamosa | Prince Kaapstad | Upside Of Anger | Alamosa | Rios | Redoute's Dancer | Insouciant | The Pooka | Keepa Cruisin | Princess Coup | Princess Coup |
2006 | Jokers Wild | Santagostino | Wahid | Veloce Bella | Jokers Wild | Wahid | Dorabella | Magic Cape | Porotene Gem | Legs | Out Of Align |
2005 | Darci Brahma | Sculptor | not raced | Pulcinella | Darci Brahma | not raced | Seachange | Darci Brahma | Wahid | Justa Tad | Senorita Dane |
2004 | Shastri | Magnetism | Sista | Mandela | Ambitious Owner | Xcellent | Justa Tad | Clean Sweep | Ambitious Owner | Wharite Princess | Pride Of The Class |
2003 | Stardane | Bridie Belle | Philamor | Philamor | Kainui Belle | Cut the Cake | Taatletail | King's Chapel | Russian Pearl | Bramble Ross | Lonestar Lady |
2002 | Bunker | Sparkling Star | Super Kid | St Reims | Jack The Stripper | St Reims | The Jewel | Hustler | Bunker | Vapour Trail | not raced |
2001 | Vinaka | Leica Guv | Athens | Leica Guv | I Rock My World | Leica Guv | Final Destination | Master Belt | Final Destination | Tapildo | Blackfock College |
2000 | Singalong | Millennium | La Bella Dama | Danamite | Spring Rain | Hail | Elevenses | Tit For Taat | Tit for Taat | She's Country | Singalong |
1999 | Buzz Lightyear | Ad Alta | The Fatz | Ad Alta | Marrok | Hades | Ad Alta | Buzz Lightyear | Buzz Lightyear | Savannah Success | Thee Old Dragon |
1998 | So Casual | Danske | Figurehead | Just Call Me Sir | El Duce | So Casual | Pace Invader | Danske | Tobruk | Tycoon Lil | Pace Invader |
1997 | Quality Kingdom | Crimson | Zonda | Old Tawny | Zonda | Tycoon Lil | Foxwood | Love De Tor | Sawatdee | Alavana | |
1996 | Batavian | Rodney Red | Great Command | Bubble | Batavian | Great Command | Emerald | Hero | O'Reilly | Alacrity | Tartan Belle |
The New Zealand Triple Crown, also called the Hawke's Bay Triple Crown or Hastings Triple Crown as all three races are run there, consists of:
Many of New Zealand's best Thoroughbred horses have raced in the various Triple Crown events. A number of horses managed to win two of the three races and some were beaten into second in the third leg. Seachange won two of the three legs of the Triple Crown in both 2006 and 2007. On 5 October 2019 Melody Belle was the first horse to win all three of the Hastings Triple Crown races.
Year | Tarzino / Mudgway / Challenge Stakes 1400m | Arrowfield Stud / Windsor Park / Stoney Bridge / Horlicks Plate 1600m | Livamol Spring Classic / Kelt Capital Stakes 2040m | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Dark Destroyer | La Crique | Mustang Valley | |
2021 | Callsign Mav | Callsign Mav | Savy Yong Blonk | Callsign Mav did not contest the 2021 Spring Classic |
2020 | Callsign Mav | Melody Belle | Melody Belle | |
2019 | Melody Belle | Melody Belle | Melody Belle | Melody Belle is the first horse to win the Triple Crown |
2018 | Melody Belle | Melody Belle | Savvy Coup | Melody Belle did not contest the 2018 Spring Classic |
2017 | Close Up | Gingernuts | Wait a Sec | |
2016 | Kawi | Kawi | Willie Cazals | Kawi did not contest the 2016 Spring Classic |
2015 | Kawi | Julinsky Prince | Addictive Habit | |
2014 | I do | Pure Champion | Costume | |
2013 | Survived | Xanadu | Ransomed | |
2012 | Ocean Park | Mufhasa | Shez Sinsational | |
2011 | Mufhasa | Jimmy Choux | Jimmy Choux | Jimmy Choux was 2nd to Mufhasa by 1.8 lengths in the Makfi Challenge Stakes |
2010 | Keep the Peace | Wall Street | Wall Street | Wall Street was 2nd to Keep the Peace in the Mudgway by 0.1 lengths |
2009 | Tavistock | Daffodil | Vosne Romanee | |
2008 | Fritzy Boy | Princess Coup | Princess Coup | Princess Coup was 9th, by 5.1 lengths to Fritzy Boy |
2007 | Seachange | Seachange | Princess Coup | Seachange was 4th by 0.3 lengths to Princess Coup |
2006 | Seachange | Seachange | Legs | Seachange was 3rd by 0.9 lengths to Legs |
2005 | Xcellent | Miss Potential | Xcellent | Xcellent did not contest the 2005 Stony Bridge Stakes |
2004 | Starcraft | Starcraft | Balmuse | Starcraft was placed 2nd to Balmuse by 2.3 lengths |
2003 | Miss Potential | Irish Rover | Distinctly Secret | Due to bad weather the Mudgway was raced at Wanganui and the Windsor Park at Otaki |
2002 | Sunline | Hello Dolly | Prized Gem | |
2001 | Fritz | Hello Dolly | Cinder Bella | |
2000 | Cent Home | The Message | The Message | The Message was 10th in the Mudgway Stakes |
In April 2018 the New Zealand Government Minister for Racing, Rt Hon Winston Peters appointed an Australian, John Messara, to review the New Zealand racing industry's governance structures, and provide recommendations on future directions for the industry.
On 30 August 2018, the Minister released the report ("the Messara Report). [71]
There was considerable media commentary regards the proposed closure of racetracks in smaller centres. [72] During October 2018 feedback on the Messara Review was sought. In November 2018 a summary report of the submissions was compiled. [73]
On 13 December 2018 the Minister for Racing announced a five-member Ministerial Advisory Committee to inform next steps on the Messara Review. Mr Peters appointed Dean McKenzie as chair, supported by Committee members Bill Birnie, Liz Dawson, Kristy McDonald and Sir Peter Vela. [74]
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing's (NZTR) Venue Plan was released in January 2019. The Report recommended:
Feedback on the document was sought, with nine regional meetings held and 75 written submissions received. NZTR chief executive Bernard Saundry said the NZTR board considered the feedback and decided the Wairoa, Blenheim and Reefton tracks would receive a reprieve, for the 2019–20 season at least. [76]
On 17 April 2019, the Minister for Racing announced that the New Zealand Government's Cabinet had agreed to the overall intent of the Messara Report and plans to implement reforms through two Bills to amend the Racing Act 2003. The first Bill, planned to be enacted by 1 July 2019, was to begin the process of structural reform and provide financial relief to the industry. [77]
On 20 June 2019 the Racing Reform Bill passed its third reading and final reading in Parliament. [78]
On 5 December 2019 the Minister for Racing introduced the Racing Industry Bill as the Government's final legislative response to the recommendations of the Messara Report. [79] It was reported in the media that the Bill extinguished the freehold property rights of local racing club owners who would be forced to sell their courses, money from any sales would not be used in that community but instead transferred to develop clubs in bigger centres elsewhere. [80]
Bonecrusher was a champion New Zealand Thoroughbred racehorse who was widely admired in both Australia and New Zealand.
The Desert Gold Stakes is a horse race held by the Wellington Racing Club at Trentham Racecourse named in honor of the great filly, Desert Gold. The horses taking part are 3 year-old fillies which race over 1600 metres.
The New Zealand Cup is a thoroughbred horse race run at the Riccarton Park Racecourse in Christchurch.
The Auckland Cup is an annual race held by the Auckland Racing Club (ARC). It is an Open Handicap for thoroughbred racehorses competed on the flat turf over 3200 metres at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand.
The New Zealand Derby is a set-weights Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds, run over a distance of 2,400 metres at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand. It is held on the first Saturday in March, as the opening day of Auckland Cup Week. The purse of the race in 2020 was $1 million.
The Wellington Cup is a Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race in New Zealand held annually in late January at Trentham Racecourse in Trentham by the Wellington Racing Club.
Great Northern Foal Stakes is a horse race in New Zealand. It is a listed 2 year-old race over 1400m run at Ellerslie Racecourse.
The 2000 Guineas is a Group One set-weight Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses run over a distance of 1600 metres at Riccarton Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The Group One Levin Classic - formerly the Bayer Classic - is one of the premier races for three-year-old thoroughbreds in New Zealand.
The Waikato Sprint currently run as the BCD Group Sprint is a Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race run at Te Rapa Racecourse in Hamilton in early February.
The Karaka Million refers to two major New Zealand horse races for young horses - the original Karaka Million for two-year-old (2YO) horses and the Karaka Million 3YO Classic that started in 2018. Held at Ellerslie Racecourse, they are New Zealand's richest races, with a stake of NZ$1,000,000 each. The races are restricted to horses sold through the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales held at Karaka. The two $1,000,000 races are held on the eve of the National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka.
The Telegraph Handicap is a Group One New Zealand horse race contested by the Wellington Racing Club at Trentham Racecourse in Upper Hutt, during the Wellington Cup carnival in January.
The Trentham Stakes is a Group 3 weight-for-age race held for thoroughbred racehorses at Trentham Racecourse near Wellington, New Zealand conducted by the Wellington Racing Club.
The Zabeel Classic is a Group One Thoroughbred horse race run at weight-for-age over a distance of 2000 metres at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand. It is held on Boxing Day, a raceday steeped in tradition that frequently attracts in excess of 20,000 Aucklanders to the famous course.
The Railway Stakes is a Group One New Zealand horse race. Held at Ellerslie on New Year's Day, it is held over 1200 metres, and is one of New Zealand's feature sprint races.
The Captain Cook Stakes is a Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race run at weight-for-age over a distance of 1,600 metres at Trentham Racecourse in Wellington, New Zealand.
The Thorndon Mile is a Group One (G1) Thoroughbred horse race contested at Trentham Racecourse by the Wellington Racing Club.
The Otaki-Maori Weight For Age Stakes is a group 1 flat horse race held at Otaki racecourse in New Zealand, racing under the name El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic.
Owen Patrick Bosson, known by his short name Opie Bosson, is a jockey in Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand.
The Filbert was a New Zealand bred race-horse that was a top performer in New Zealand and internationally at Group 1 level.