2024 New Zealand Derby Explained

The 2024 New Zealand Derby was a Group I horse race which was run at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday 2 March 2024. It was the 149th running of the New Zealand Derby, and it was won by Orchestral.[1]

Details

Orchestral became the sixth New Zealand Derby winner for Roger James, who now trains in partnership with Robert Wellwood. His first win came in 1986 with Tidal Light, who he trained in partnership with Jim Gibbs, and he later won with Roysyn, Zonda, Hades and Silent Achiever.[2] He now holds the record for the most victories in the modern-day New Zealand Derby, which was created when the New Zealand Derby (Riccarton) and Great Northern Derby were amalgamated in 1973.[2] [3]

Orchestral was ridden by Craig Grylls, who had previously won the Derby aboard Crown Prosecutor (2021) and Rocket Spade (2019).[4]

Orchestral was bred by Barneswood Farm and is a daughter of the champion Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel.[5]

Bought by James and Wellwood for $625,000 at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka,[6] Orchestral is raced by long-time stable clients Colin and Helen Litt.[7]

Orchestral headed into the Derby as a dominant winner of all of her previous three races, including the Karaka Millions 3YO and the Avondale Guineas.[8] She was rated a $1.30 favourite for the Derby, while none of her 16 rivals had odds in single figures.[9]

Orchestral was slow to leave the starting gates and settled towards the rear of the field, but she swooped around the outside at the home turn and quickly took command in the straight. She powered clear in the final 200 metres, winning by three and three-quarter lengths – the largest winning margin since C'est La Guerre in 2008.[10] The race was run in 2:26.79, which was the fourth-fastest time recorded in the race. [11]

Orchestral became only the fifth filly to win the New Zealand Derby since 1983. Three of those – Tidal Light, Silent Achiever and Orchestral – have been trained by James.[1]

Race details

Full result

MarginHorseJockeyTrainer(s)Odds
1OrchestralCraig GryllsRoger James & Robert Wellwood$1.30
2Antrim CoastPer-Anders GrabergStephen Marsh$156.90
3Short neckAscend The ThroneOpie BossonMark Walker & Sam Bergerson$11.60
4Just As SharpRyan ElliotTeam Rogerson$12.70
5InterlinkedSam WeatherleyTrent Busuttin & Natalie Young$13.20
6What You Wish ForJoe DoyleMark Walker & Sam Bergerson$44.50
7High CountryMichael McNabTony Pike$64.80
8TranzedKate HercockJohn Wheeler$165.80
9NoseMonday MelodyMasa HashizumeLance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott$85.30
10First InningsBilly JacobsonAndrew Forsman$49.60
112City Gold ReadyLynsey SatherleyTony Pike$190.60
12PerfectmanzKelly MyersShaun Phelan$136.50
133SolidifyJonathan RiddellTeam Rogerson$58.10
141MosinvaderWarren KennedyLance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott$22.60
151Renegade RebelMatthew CameronCody Cole$52.30
16SinhamanKozzi AsanoStephen Marsh$141.60
173AnaroaLisa AllpressGuy Lowry & Leah Zydenbos$93.40

Winner's details

Further details of the winner, Orchestral:[1]

The road to the Derby

Early-season appearances prior to running in the Derby.

Subsequent Group 1 wins

Subsequent wins at Group 1 level by runners in the 2023 New Zealand Derby.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Orchestral makes Derby history for James. 2024-03-11 . www.racingnews.co.nz.
  2. Web site: Who we are . 2024-03-11 . Kingsclere Stables . en-US.
  3. Web site: Orchestral untouchable in $1 million NZ Derby race. March 30, 2024. NZ Herald.
  4. https://www.racingnews.co.nz/orchestral-makes-derby-history-for-james/
  5. Web site: Orchestral Horse Pedigree . 2024-03-11 . www.pedigreequery.com.
  6. Web site: Orchestral Karaka 2022 – Book 1 New Zealand Bloodstock Thoroughbred Auction House . 2024-03-11 . www.nzb.co.nz.
  7. Web site: Fence . Picket . 2024-02-17 . Orchestral a class above in Avondale Guineas . 2024-03-11 . Kingsclere Stables . en-US.
  8. Web site: Horse Profile / NZRacing . 2024-03-11 . loveracing.nz.
  9. Web site: Race 9 TRACKSIDE NZ DERBY at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 2 MAR 2024 LOVERACING.NZ . 2024-03-11 . loveracing.nz.
  10. Web site: Race 9 MERCEDES DERBY at AUCKLAND RC on 1 MAR 2008 LOVERACING.NZ . 2024-03-11 . loveracing.nz.
  11. Web site: Thoroughbred Horse Pedigree Query . 2024-03-11 . www.pedigreequery.com.
  12. Web site: Stuff. www.stuff.co.nz.
  13. https://www.racingnews.co.nz/orchestral-all-class-in-avondale-guineas/
  14. Web site: Orchestral A Class Above In Avondale Guineas. www.racingandsports.com.au.
  15. https://www.racingnews.co.nz/39523-2/
  16. Web site: Derby throne awaiting Te Akau stayer. March 30, 2024. NZ Herald.
  17. https://www.racingnews.co.nz/patience-the-key-for-just-as-sharp/
  18. Web site: Just As Sharp (NZ) Puts Rogersons Back in 3YO Spotlight New Zealand Bloodstock Thoroughbred Auction House. www.nzb.co.nz. 4 April 2024 .
  19. Web site: Renegade Rebel (NZ) Strikes in Salver New Zealand Bloodstock Thoroughbred Auction House. www.nzb.co.nz. 4 April 2024 .
  20. https://www.racingnews.co.nz/renegade-rebel-wins-gingernuts-salver-at-ellerslie/
  21. Web site: Renegade Rebel All The Way In Gingernuts Salver. www.racingandsports.com.au.

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