Auckland Cup Week Explained

Auckland Cup Week is one of New Zealand's major annual thoroughbred racing carnivals and is the country's richest offering stakes in excess of NZ$2.2 million. Held in Auckland in early March, the carnival comprises two days of racing and entertainment at Ellerslie Racecourse - Vodafone Derby Day and Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day.

The carnival was first run in 2006.

Auckland Cup Week's feature races are:

Vodafone Derby Day (the first Saturday of the carnival):

• Group 1 New Zealand Derby, over 2400m for 3 year old thoroughbreds
• Group III Haunui Farm Kings Plate, an open race over 1200m
• Group III McKee Family Sunline Vase, over 2100m for 3 year old fillies
• Group III Mufhasa Stakes, over 1400m for 3 year olds
• Rangitoto Classic, a special condition race over 1500m

Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day (second Saturday of the carnival):

• Group I Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup, an open handicap over 3200m
• Group I Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes, at Weight-for-age over 2000m
• Group I Sistema Stakes, over 1200m for 2 year olds

In addition, Auckland Cup Week plays host to additional off-track entertainment including New Zealand's national fashions in the field final, The Ned Prix de Fashion, which will see its winner take home not only the national title, but a trip to Australia to compete in Victoria Racing Club's MYER Fashions on the Field competition as part of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.^[1]

The dates for Auckland Cup Week 2021 were Saturday 6 March (Vodafone Derby Day) and Saturday 13 March (Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day).

See also

• Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Ned Prix de Fashion 6 March 2021 Ellerslie Racecourse. ellerslie. en. 2020-01-28.