New Zealand Derby
Group I race
Gloaming, 1918 winner
LocationEllerslie Racecourse
Auckland, New Zealand
Inaugurated1875
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
WebsiteEllerslie Racecourse
Race information
Distance2,400 metres (12 furlongs)
SurfaceTurf
TrackRight-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds
WeightSet-Weights
PurseNZ$1,000,000 (2020)

The New Zealand Derby is a set-weights Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds, run over a distance of 2,400 metres (12 furlongs) 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.

History

The New Zealand Derby is an amalgamation of two races – the New Zealand Derby, run since 1860 at Riccarton, Christchurch; and the Great Northern Derby, run since 1875 at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland.[1] The races were combined in 1973. Riccarton was awarded two 1,600 m races for three-year-olds in place of its Derby – the New Zealand 2000 Guineas and New Zealand 1000 Guineas.

After its May debut, the New Zealand Derby was soon moved to New Year's Day, and then to Boxing Day. It continued to be run on this day for many years and became a popular traditional social occasion for Aucklanders until it was moved to the first day of the new Auckland Cup Week in March. The first March running of the Derby in 2006 was won by Wahid, from the stable of Allan Sharrock in New Plymouth.

The race in 2023 - won by "Sharp 'N' Smart" - was held at Te Rapa Racecourse, due to renovation of the track at Ellerslie Racecourse.

Nightmarch, 1928 winner.

Notable winners

Many of New Zealand's most famous racehorses feature on the list of New Zealand Derby winners,[2] including:

Dalray, 1951 winner.
Nightly, 1933 winner.

Multiple winning trainers and jockeys

Roger James has won the New Zealand Derby five times, including once in partnership with Jim Gibbs. Colin Jillings won the post-1973 New Zealand Derby three times but also twice won the Great Northern Derby with Lawful and Stipulate.

Vinnie Colgan holds the record for the most Derby wins by a jockey. He scored his fifth Derby win aboard Habibi in 2013, breaking Robert Vance's previous record of four, and added a sixth victory with Rangipo in 2016.[3]

Winning fillies

Only a small number of fillies have ever won the Derby against the male horses. This list includes:

On two of those occasions, fillies have also finished second – Cure in 1986 and Fix in 2013.[4]

New Zealand Derby results

Year
 Winner
 Breeding
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Owner
 Time Second Third
2023[5] Sharp 'N' Smart Redwood - Queen Margaret Ryan Elliot Team Rogerson Graeme Rogerson, Todd Bawden, C A Leishman, NZ Thoroughbred Holdings Ltd, M & M Butterworth & M B Wadd 2:29.47 (Te Rapa, good) Andalus Full of Sincerety
2022[6] Asterix Tavistock - Mourasana (GB) by Shirocco Johnathan Parkes Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott D & B Kelt, A & L Scott & Mark Greatbatch 2:27.24 (good) La Crique Regal Lion
2021[7] Rocket Spade Fastnet Rock - Affairoftheheart (by Fusaichi Pegasus) Craig Grylls Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott Hermitage Thoroughbreds Pty Limited 2:35.51 (soft) Milford Frontman
2020[8] Sherwood Forest[9] Fastnet Rock- Chasing Mammom (by Giant's Causeway) Michael Walker Tony Pike Goodson & Perron Family Trust, Calder Bloodstock Ltd & Deborah Martin 2:26.77 Two Illicit Scorpz
2019[10] Crown Prosecutor Medaglia d'Oro - Riptide (by Exceed and Excel)[11] Craig Grylls Stephen Marsh Huntingdale Lodge 2012 Ltd (Mgr: Harvey Green) & Jml Bloodstock Ltd (Mgr: L Petagna) 2:28.17 In A Twinkling Platinum Invador
2018[12] Vin De Dance Roc de Cambes - Explosive Dancer (by San Luis)[13] Jason Waddell Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman OTI Racing (Mgr: T Henderson), L Muollo & Kilted Taniwha Syndicate 2:28.44 Mongolianconqueror Danzdanzdance
2017[14] Gingernuts Iffraaj - Double Elle (by Generous)[15] Opie Bosson Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards Te Akau Gingernuts Syndicate 2:28.27 Rising Red Jon Snow
2016[16] Rangipo Stryker - Holloway (by Zabeel) Vincent Colgan Tony Pike John & Margaret Thompson 2:28.89 What's The Story Raghu
2015[17] Mongolian Khan Holy Roman Emperor - Centafit (by Centaine) Opie Bosson Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry 2:28.40 Volkstok'n'barrell Sound Proposition
2014[18] Puccini Encosta De Lago - Miss Opera (by Paris Opera) Michael Walker Peter & Jacob McKay Monovale Holdings Ltd 2:28.39 Rising Romance Glorious Lad
2013[19] Habibi Ekraar - Danny Holiday (by Danasinga) Vincent Colgan Donna & Dean Logan Mrs H J & P J Crofskey & Mrs P A McIntyre 2:27.58 Fix Castlzeberg
2012[20] Silent Achiever O'Reilly - Winning Spree (by Zabeel) James McDonald Roger James K J Hickman 2:33.55 Rock 'n' Pop Carrick
2011 Jimmy Choux Thorn Park - Cierzo (by Centaine) Jonathan Riddell John Bary Chouxmaani Investments Ltd. 2:38.35 Historian On The Level
2010 Military Move Volksraad - All Night Party (by Just A Dancer) Michael Walker Shaune Ritchie Steven Lo 2:27.91 Corporal Jones Handsome Zulu
2009 Coniston Bluebird Scenic - Turbo Lady (by Bellotto) Scott Seamer Bede Murray Murray Livestock, J O'Brien, J & R Standford & J Wilson 2:31.04 Down The Road Tell A Tale
2008 C'est La Guerre Shinko King - La Magnifique (by Kampala) David Walker Kevin Myers, Wanganui K Barker, JNW Brookes, DA Gascoigne & KT Myers 2:33.47 Prince Kaapstad Fritzy Boy
2007 Redoute's Dancer Redoute's Choice - Condescendance (by El Gran Senor) Vincent Colgan Tim Martin, Rosehill P. Silvestro 2:27.24 (good) Mettre En Jeu Uberalles
2006 Wahid Almutawakel - Rorys Helen (by Rory's Jester) Leith Innes Allan Sharrock Noel H. & Ron T. Stanley 2:27.42 (good) Roman Chariot Charliehorse
2005 not raced
2004 Xcellent Pentire - Excelo (by Centro) Michael Coleman Michael Moroney G W Breingan, G K V Holdings Ltd, M J Gatt, P A Heath, D A Nicholson & Wellington Racing Syndicate 2:32.01 Mandela King Johny
2003 Cut the Cake Yamanin Vital - Icing On The Cake (by Straight Strike) Michael Coleman Michael Moroney & Andrew Scott N M Anderson, G W Breingan, G J N Jaggaer, T T Manning, Paul Moroney & A P Ramsden 2:28.88 Mount Street Masai
2002 St Reims Zabeel - L'Quiz (by L'Enjoleur) Greg Childs Chris McNab Rob McAnulty et al. 2:28.57 (good) Kajema Woburn
2001 Leica Guv Deputy Governor - Leica Or Not (by Kendor) Scott Seamer Jeff McVean R A and Mrs R J Scarborough 2:28.98 (good) Athens Sixty Seconds
2000 Hail Stark South - Valley Court (by Pompeii Court) Noel Harris Bruce Marsh A J Cunningham & R B Marsh 2:32.27 (good) Sir Clive Ma Victoire
1999 Hades Zabeel - Annas Choice (by Vice Regal) Vincent Colgan Roger James, Matamata Mrs F E & R A Dixon 2:27.57 Hill Of Grace Idol
1998 So Casual 55.5 Casual Lies - Some Reason (by Sound Reason) Damien Oliver Ross Taylor G C P Beadel et al. 2:24.80 (good) El Duce 56 Nahayan 56
1997 Zonda 55.5 Zabeel - Gone With The Wind (by Light Wind) Vincent Colgan Roger James Hundalee Derby Syndicate 2:31.58 (good) Bluebird The Word 56 Star Of Mercury 56
1996 Great Command Marscay - Tisolde (by Tights) Darren Beadman Michael Moroney, Matamata H J & J Chan, R R McAnulty & D Tsang 2:27.97 Heroes Return Captain Moonlight
1995 Roysyn 55.5 Bakharoff - Royal Proposal (by Vice Regal) Vincent Colgan Roger James Mrs B P & J B Harvey 2:30.10 (good) Clear Rose 56 Interval 53
1994 Look Who's Talking Grosvenor - Glenreign (by Sovereign Edition) Grant Cooksley Nigel Tiley Unifaith Limited 2:28.18 Avedon Cataldo
1993 Popsy 53 Sir Tristram - Beks (by In The Purple) Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O'Sullivan Barnaby & Co Ltd 2:27.24 Shatin Heights 55.5 Seascay 55.5
1992 The Phantom Chance 55.5 Noble Bijou - The Fantasy (by Gate Keeper) Robert Vance Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill W B Ballin 2:25.98 Kaaptive Edition 55.5 Sun Raycer 55.75
1991 Cavallieri 55.5 Gaius - Beycheville (by Uncle Remus Grant Cooksley Laurie Laxon Laurie Laxon, S Shew & F & Mrs Z Sing 2:29.18 Veandercross 55.5 Te Akau Nick 55.5
1990 Surfers Paradise Crested Wave - Lady Aythorpe (by Aythorpe) Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O'Sullivan F Cheung, K Chong, G Fong & J D Smith 2:28.02 Corndale Sir Alberton
1989 Castletown One Pound Sterling - Mona Curragh (by Levmoss) Bruce Compton Patrick Busuttin Patrick Busuttin, Barney McCahill & K P Morris 2:29.28 Renteeno Just A Dancer
1988 The Gentry 55.5 McGinty - Rainfall (by Le Filou) Greg Childs Ray & Kerry Verner L W Davis, H Keith Haub, P J Walker & Haunui Farm 2:27.49 (good) Lou Morton 55.5 Krona 55.5
1987 Satisfy 55.5 ** Top Quality - Gold Flake (by Allgrit) Maurice Campbell Nick Nicoloff N D & P H Nicoloff 2:35.41 Dead Accountant 55.5 Na Botto 55.5
1986 Tidal Light Diagramatic - Azores (by King Of Babylon) Grant Cooksley Jim Gibbs and Roger James S A Taylor 2:28.63 Cure The Bishop
1985 Bonecrusher Pag-Asa (Aus)- Imitation (by Oakville) Gary Stewart Frank Ritchie Peter J. Mitchell 2:29.47 Flight Bijou Random Chance
1984 Jolly Jake Three Legs - Honeypot (by Sucaryl) Chris McNab Alan Jones Ivan W Allan 2:27.39 Dusky Legend Avana
1983 I'm Henry Entrepreneur - Ina Bahroo (by Bahroona) Robert Vance Colin Jillings A J & M M Bates 2:29.78 Jurango Zepherin
1982 Our Flight Imperial Guard - Jane Flight (by Mellay) Maurice Campbell Errol Skelton J W Rusher 2:32.48 Secured Deposit Glamour Star
1981 Isle of Man 55.5 Habitation - Full O'Tricks (by Trictac) Robert Vance Davina Waddell Ron F Langsford and Davina L Waddell 2:28.89 (good) Rose And Thistle 55.5 Tomatin Purple 55.5
1980 Ring the Bell Rangong - Witchcraft (by Mystery) Nigel Tiley Neville Atkins, Waiuku E M Mackley and B P Wild 2:30.23 (firm) Amyl Summertime Lad
1979 Ruling Lad Ruling - Lochiel's Fancy (by Le Filou) Garry Phillips Brian Deacon, Hawera E N Baker 2:35.38 (easy) Eruption Banabar
1978 Kaiser Ruling - Sovereign Lass (by Sovereign Edition) Alwin Tweedie Neville Atkins, Waiuku T J and Mrs Doole 2:29.42 (firm) Caucus Sound Wave
1977 Uncle Remus Bandmaster - Tusitala (by Talismano) Robert Vance Colin Jillings, Takanini Kim F Clotworthy and Mrs Grace M Donaldson 2:29.51 (firm) Bahrain Boom Vang
1976 Silver Lad Silver Dream - Leta Filou (by Le Filou) Des Wyatt Barry Petley D and Mrs Nicholls and R R Peel-Walker 2:29.76 Mayo Mellay Sonic Light
1975 Balmerino Trictrac - Dulcie (by Duccio) Maurice Campbell Brian Smith Ralph K Stuart 2:31.21 Caboodle Lucky Strike
1974 Mansingh Wilkes - Starquita (by Star Kingdom) Bob Skelton Ray Wallace & Randall Coleman, Takanini David V Beetham 2:29.2 Ripbang Rosie’s Girl
1973 Furys Order Indian Order - Our Fury (by Le Filou) Des Harris Wally McEwan, Hawera Len H Bridgeman 2:35 Jandell Tinryland Lass

Winners of the New Zealand Derby at Riccarton

Main article: New Zealand Derby (Riccarton)

Note: the New Zealand Derby (Riccarton) and the Great Northern Derby were combined into one race at Ellerslie in 1973.

Earlier winners (Great Northern Derby)

Main article: Great Northern Derby

Note: the New Zealand Derby (Riccarton) and the Great Northern Derby were combined into the one race at Ellerslie in 1973.

See also

Reference list

  1. ^ New Zealand Derby Race History since 1860
  2. ^ "New Zealand Derby Winners".
  3. ^ "Racing: Record on line in $750k Derby".
  4. ^ "Thoroughbred Horse Pedigree Query".
  5. ^ "Race 8 AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING NEW ZEALAND DERBY at WAIKATO RC on 4 MAR 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  6. ^ "Race 9 VODAFONE NZ DERBY at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 5 MAR 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  7. ^ "Race 9 VODAFONE NZ DERBY at AUCKLAND RC on 7 MAR 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  8. ^ "Race 9 VODAFONE NZ DERBY® at AUCKLAND RC on 29 FEB 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  9. ^ "Sherwood Forest outstays them in NZ Derby".
  10. ^ "Race 9 VODAFONE NZ DERBY at AUCKLAND RC on 2 MAR 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  11. ^ "Crown Prosecutor (AUS) 2015 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ".
  12. ^ "Race 9 VODAFONE NZ DERBY at AUCKLAND RC on 3 MAR 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  13. ^ "Vin de Dance (NZ) 2014 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ".
  14. ^ "Race 9 VODAFONE NEW ZEALAND DERBY at AUCKLAND RC on 4 MAR 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  15. ^ "Gingernuts (NZ) 2013 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ".
  16. ^ "Race 9 BMW NZ DERBY at AUCKLAND RC on 5 MAR 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  17. ^ "Race 9 TV3 NZ DERBY at AUCKLAND RC on 28 FEB 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  18. ^ "Race 9 TV3 NZ DERBY at AUCKLAND RC on 1 MAR 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  19. ^ "Race 9 TV3 NZ DERBY (GROUP I) at AUCKLAND RC on 2 MAR 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  20. ^ "Race 9 TELECOM NEW ZEALAND DERBY at AUCKLAND RC on 3 MAR 2012 | LOVERACING.NZ".
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