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.
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| Club | Course, Town/city/province | Track | Direction | Straight | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashburton RC | 1876m | left-handed | 382m | |||
| Auckland RC | Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland | 1876m | right-handed | 382m | ||
| Avondale JC | 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 | 1822m | left-handed | 350m | |||
| Feilding JC | 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 | 1800m | left-handed | 400m | |||
| Manawatu RC | 1700m | left-handed | 350m | Part of RACE[2] Synthetic track planned | ||
| Marlborough RC | Waterlea, Blenheim | 1700m | left-handed | 300m | ||
| Marton JC | 1700m | left-handed | 350m | Part of RACE | ||
| Masterton RC | 1810m | left-handed | 315m | 1 meeting per year, in March | ||
| Matamata RC | 1628m | left-handed | 400m | |||
| Oamaru JC | Oamaru, North Otago | 1800m | left-handed | 350m | ||
| Otago RC | 2000m & 1600m | left-handed both | 350m both | |||
| Otaki-Maori RC | 1800m | left handed | 400m | the sole surviving Maori club in New Zealand | ||
| Pakuranga Hunt | 1876m | right-handed | 382m | the feature event is the Pakuranga Hunt Steeplechase in August | ||
| Poverty Bay Turf Club | 1800m | left-handed | 400m | |||
| Rangitikei RC | 1700m | left-handed | 350m | Part of RACE | ||
| Reefton JC | 1140m | left handed | 230m | the smallest galloping track in New Zealand. 1 meeting in January | ||
| Riverton RC | 1650m | left-handed | 400m | Part of Gallop South | ||
| Racing Rotorua | 1600m | left-handed | 300m | |||
| Rotorua & Bay of Plenty Hunt | 1600m | left-handed | 300m | 1 meeting per year, held in September | ||
| South Canterbury RC | 1800m | left-handed | 400m | |||
| South Waikato RC | 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 | 2000m | left-handed | 350m | 1 meeting per year, held in December. Part of Gallop South | ||
| Taranaki Racing Inc | 1600m | left-handed | 375m | |||
| Taumarunui | 1600m | left-handed | 300m | 1 meeting per year, held in July | ||
| Racing Taupo | 1600m | left-handed | 320m | Part of TRAC[4] | ||
| Racing Tauranga | 1800m | right-handed | 350m | Part of TRAC | ||
| Racing 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 | 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 | 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 | 1800m | left-handed | 215m | 1 meeting in May | ||
| Wairoa RC | Te Kupenga | 1660m | left-handed | 245m | 2 meetings in February | |
| Wanganui JC | 1650m | left-handed | 325m | sand based track | ||
| Waverley RC | 1800m | left-handed | 375m | |||
| Trentham Racecourse, Upper Hutt | 2000m | left-handed | 450m | Part of RACE | ||
| Westland RC | 1290m | right-handed | 340m | 1 meeting per year, only right handed track in the South Island | ||
| Whakatane RC | 1800m | right-handed | 420m | 2 meetings per year | ||
| Whangarei RC | 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 |
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| Race | Group | Type | Month | Location | Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarzino Trophy[5] | 1 | August/September | Hastings | 1400m | ||
| Arrowfield Stud Plate (Windsor Park Plate) [6] | 1 | September | Hastings | 1600m | ||
| Livamol Classic[7] | 1 | October | Hastings | 2040m | ||
| Hawke's Bay Guineas[8] | 2 | 3YO SW | October | Hastings | 1400m | |
| New Zealand 2000 Guineas[9] | 1 | 3YO SW | November | 1600m | ||
| New Zealand 1000 Guineas[10] | 1 | 3YO Fillies SW | November | 1600m | ||
| New Zealand Cup[11] | 3 | Open HCP | November | 3200m | ||
| Captain Cook Stakes[12] | 1 | December (2009 onwards) | 1600m | |||
| Zabeel Classic[13] | 1 | December | 2000m | |||
| Railway Stakes[14] | 1 | Open SWP | January | 1200m | ||
| Telegraph Handicap [15] | 1 | Weight for Age | January | 1200m | ||
| Trentham Stakes[16] | 3 | SWP | January | 2100m | ||
| Karaka Million 2YO [17] | R | 2YO (Restricted) | January | 1200m | ||
| Karaka Million 3YO Classic [18] | R | 3YO (Restricted) | January | 1600m | ||
| Desert Gold Stakes[19] | 3 | 3YO Fillies SW | January | 1600m | ||
| Thorndon Mile[20] | 1 | Open SWP | January | 1600m | ||
| Wellington Cup[21] | 3 | Open HCP | January | 3200m | ||
| Avondale Cup[22] | 2 | Open | February | 2400m | ||
| BCD Group Sprint[23] | 1 | Weight for Age | February | Te Rapa | 1400m | |
| Herbie Dyke Stakes | 1 | Weight for Age[24] | February | Te Rapa | 2000m | |
| Otaki-Maori Weight for Age | 1 | Weight for Age [25] | February | Ōtaki | 1600m | |
| New Zealand Derby [26] | 1 | 3YO SW | March (2006 onwards) | 2400m | ||
| NZB Kiwi[27] | R | 3YO | March (2025 onwards)[28] | Ellerslie Racecourse | 1500m | |
| Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes [29] | 1 | Weight for Age | March | Ellerslie Racecourse | 2000m | |
| Ellerslie Sires Produce Stakes/Sistema Stakes[30] | 1 | 2YO SW | March | Ellerslie Racecourse | 1400m | |
| Auckland Cup [31] | 2 | Open SWP | March | 3200m | ||
| New Zealand Oaks[32] | 1 | 3YO Fillies SW | March | 2400m | ||
| New Zealand St. Leger[33] | L | Open SWP (prev 3yo & 3-4yo) | March | 2600m | ||
| Levin Classic[34] | 1 | 3YO SW | March (2022 Onwards) | 1600m | ||
| Awapuni Gold Cup[35] | 2 | Open | March/April | Awapuni | 2000m | |
| Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes [36] | 1 | 2YO SW | March/April | Awapuni | 1400m | |
| Championship Stakes [37] | 2 | 3YO | March/April | 2100m | ||
| 3 | 3YO+ Open HCP[38] | March/April | 1600m | |||
| New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes [39] | 1 | 3YO+ Fillies & Mares | April | Te Aroha / Te Rapa | 1600m | |
| Auckland Futurity Stakes (Great Northern Foal Stakes) [40] | L | 2YO | May | 1400m | ||
| Great Northern Hurdles [41] | P | Jumping Hurdles | September | Te Rapa, formerly Ellerslie Racecourse | 4190m | |
| Great Northern Steeplechase[42] | P | Jumping Steeplechase | September | 6400m | ||
| Grand National Hurdles | P | Jumping Hurdles | August | Riccarton Racecourse | 4200m | |
| Grand National Steeplechase[43] | P | Jumping Steeplechase | August | Riccarton Racecourse | 5600m | |
| Only raced twice (March 1989 and 1990) | 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)[44] | 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 | ||
| 1980 | Jockey | Winner of 2059 races in New Zealand and 87 overseas, 99 group 1 races (16 in Australia) | Imperatriz, Avantage, Gingernuts, Melody Belle, Mongolian Khan, Grand Archway, Probabeel, Quick Thinker, Te Akau Shark | |||
| Bill Broughton[45] | 1913-1990 | Jockey | New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame,[46] New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, 11 times New Zealand Champion jockey, 1446 winners in New Zealand plus 11 in Australia | Sombrero, Soneri | ||
| 1963 | Jockey | |||||
| John Bernard (Cos) Costello | 1937 - 2019 | Journalist and Author[47] | 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[48] | |||
| 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 | Octagonal, Tawriffic | |||
| Hector Gray | 1885-1957 | Jockey and Trainer | 7 NZ jockey premierships | |||
| Bill Hazlett | 1905-1978 | Owner and breeder | Eiffel Tower | |||
| Sir Patrick Hogan KNZM CBE[49] | 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[50] | |||
| 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 | ||||
| Jockey | Holds the record for NZ winning rides, previously held by David Walsh. To this date Chris has won 21 group 1 races. | Canterbury Belle, Loader, Savvy Coup, Sea Swift, Tartan Tights, Tycoon Lil | ||||
| Linda Jones[51] | 1952 | Jockey | Holy Toledo, Lavaro | |||
| Trainer | First female trainer to win the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double in 2001, co trainer of 2024 Melbourne Cup winner Knight's Choice | Empire Rose, Ethereal, Knight's Choice | ||||
| Maree Lyndon[52] | 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),[53] 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[54] | 1963 | Jockey | ||||
| Paul O'Sullivan | 1959 | Trainer | Horlicks, Popsy, Surfers Paradise | |||
| 1894-1989 | Foxbridge, Alcimedes | |||||
| 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 | ||||
| 1931-2016 | Jockey | Daryl's Joy | ||||
| 1958 | Jockey | Australian Racing Hall of Fame, New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | ||||
| 1984 | Jockey | Darci Brahma, Tagaloa, Tit for Taat | ||||
| 1973 | Trainer | |||||
| David Walsh | 1959[55] | Jockey | Previously held the record for most NZ wins (2451).[56] Over 2500 wins worldwide, including the Telegraph Handicap (3x), W. S. Cox Plate, Brisbane Cup and Adelaide Cup. 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 20 January 2025:
In April 2014 David Walsh passed Lance O'Sullivan's then record of 2355 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.
In July 2020 senior jockey Michael Coleman retired after suffering injuries. He had ridden 2131 New Zealand winners, including 39 at Group 1, 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.[58]
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.[59] Another female jockey riding then was Cherie Saxon (Hastings).[60]
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.[61]
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.[62]
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.[73] 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.[74]
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 New Zealand-bred horses won Australia's Melbourne Cup 43 times.[75] During the 2008-09 racing season 19 New Zealand-bred Thoroughbreds won 22 Group One races around the world.[76]
Horses may also go to Asia (mainly Hong Kong or Singapore) or on occasions to Europe or the United States.
| Horse | Sire | Dam | Dam Sire | Trainer(s) | Notable victories or achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advance | Vanguard | Laurel | Young Gownsman | Joe Prosser | 1900 Easter Handicap, 1901 All Aged Stakes |
| Apollo Eleven | Cyrus | Lady Rizzo | Treasure Hunt | K. (Slim) Foster | |
| Avantage | Asavant | Jamie Richards | 2018 Karaka Million & Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes, 2019: Birthday Card Stakes (G3 Rosehill), 2020: Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes, 2020 & 2021: Telegraph Handicap & Haunui Farm Classic, 2021: Railway Stakes & Waikato Sprint. | ||
| Baghdad Note | Kurdistan (GB) | Fairnote (NZ) | Fairs Fair (GB) | R (Bob) Heasley, then Terry Millard | 1970: Melbourne Cup, 1973: P.J. O'Shea Stakes & Sandown Cup. |
| Trictrac (France) | Dulcie | Duccio | Brian Smith, Cambridge & John Dunlop | 1975 New Zealand Derby, 1976 Brisbane Cup, Rawson Stakes, P.J. O'Shea Stakes (Eagle Farm), 2nd in Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, 2008 inducted to New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | |
| Battle Heights | Battle Wagon (GB) | Wuthering Heights | Avocat General | Tim Douglas | 1974 Wellington Cup, Sydney Cup, AJC Plate now the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ATC), W. S. Cox Plate, 1976 Craven Plate, The Metropolitan (ATC) |
| Beau Vite | Beau Pere (GB) | Dominant (NZ) | Martian (NZ) | T.R. George, F McGrath Snr | 1939 Canterbury Stakes, 1940: The Metropolitan (ATC), Hill Stakes, Great Northern Derby, Auckland Cup, Awapuni Gold Cup. 1940 & 1941: Colin Stephen Quality Handicap, W. S. Cox Plate, Craven Plate, LKS Mackinnon Stakes, 1941: Rawson Stakes, AJC Plate, Chelmsford Stakes |
| Pag-Asa | Imitation | Oakville | Frank Ritchie | 1985 New Zealand Derby, 1986 Australian Derby, Tancred Stakes, Caulfield Stakes, W. S. Cox Plate, Underwood Stakes, 1987 Australian Cup, 2010 inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | |
| Musket (GB) | Mersey (GB) | Knowsley | Walter S. Hickenbotham | 1889 & 1890 Sydney Cup & All Aged Stakes, 1890 Melbourne Cup, Melbourne Stakes, Craven Plate, AJC Spring Stakes, 1889, 1890 & 1891 AJC Plate (now the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ATC)), 2006 inducted to New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | |
| One Pound Sterling (GB) | Mona Curragh | Levmoss | Patrick M Bussuttin | ||
| Cuddle | Psychology (GB) | Caress (NZ) | Martian (NZ) | C J Stowe | |
| Cynisca | Apremont | Nautilus | Traducer | 1890, 1891 & 1892 Wellington Cup, 1892 Easter Handicap | |
| Balloch (GB) | Broiveine (NZ) | Broiefort (Fra) | Clarrie McCarthy | 1951: New Zealand Derby, 1952: Great Northern Derby, Trentham Stakes, Colin Stephen Quality Handicap, The Metropolitan (ATC), LKS Mackinnon Stakes, Melbourne Cup | |
| Darci Brahma | Grand Echezeaux | Zabeel | Mark Walker | 2005: New Zealand 2000 Guineas, Otaki-Maori Weight for Age, The T J Smith, 2007: Waikato Sprint, Telegraph Handicap | |
| Daryl's Joy | Stunning (GB) | Rutha (NZ) | Ruthless (GB) | Syd Brown (NZ), later Charlie Whittingham (USA) | 1969 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes, Cox Plate, Victoria Derby, Moonee Valley Stakes, 1970: Del Mar Handicap, 1971: Arcadia Handicap & San Luis Obispo Handicap |
| All Black (GB) | Aurarius (Aust) | Maltster | Fred Davis | 1915: New Zealand 1000 Guineas, Manawatu Sires Produce & New Zealand Derby, 1916: New Zealand Oaks, Great Northern Derby, 1916,1917 & 1918: Awapuni Gold Cup, 1918: St George Stakes & All Aged Stakes, 2008 inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | |
| Stareel | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | 2012: Gloaming Stakes, Spring Champion Stakes, 2013 Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas, Australian Derby, Underwood Stakes. 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ATC) | |||
| Sir Tristram (Ire) | Summer Fleur | Sovereign Edition | Laurie Laxon | ||
| Rhythm (USA) | Romanee Conti | 2001 Queensland Oaks, Caulfield Cup & Melbourne Cup, 2002 The BMW, 2016 inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | |||
| Fairs Fair | Amaroo | Gold Nib | Archie McGregor | ||
| Foxzami | Nizami | Honeywood | Dan Lewis | 1949 STC Cup & Melbourne Cup | |
| Furys Order | Indian Order (GB) | Our Fury (NZ) | Le Filou (FR) | Wally McEwan | |
| The Welkin (GB) | Light (GB) | Eager | Dick Mason | 1918: Chelmsford Stakes, AJC Derby, New Zealand Derby, Wanganui Guineas, 1919: Great Northern Derby, Wellington Stakes, 1919/1922/1924 Craven Plate. 1922: Hill Stakes. 1924: Melbourne Stakes, AJC Spring Stakes), 1922/1924/1925 North Island Challenge Stakes. From 67 starts won 57 and 2nd 9 times, fell once. 2004: Inducted into Australian Racing Hall of Fame, 2006: Inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | |
| Cassock (GB) | Speedy (NZ) | Irish Lancer | Mick Brown | 1960: Invercargill Gold Cup, Canterbury Gold Cup, 1961, 1962 & 1963 Wellington Cup, 1960 & 1962 Trentham Stakes | |
| Grey William (GB) | Waybrook (NZ) | King's Command | E P Corboy, Washdyke | ||
| Gurner's Lane | Sir Tristram | Taiona | Sovereign Edition (IRE) | Geoff Murphy | 1982: Newcastle Gold Cup, VRC St Leger, Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup |
| Three Legs (GB) | Malt (NZ) | Moss Trooper (USA) | Dave and Paul O'Sullivan | 1989 LKS Mackinnon Stakes, Japan Cup. 1988 & 1990 ARC Television New Zealand Stakes, 1989 & 1990 DB Draught Classic, 2010 inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. Dam of Brew | |
| Il Tempo | Time and Again (Ire) | Timing (NZ) | Timanova (GB) | Bruce Priscott | 1969 & 1970 Auckland Cup, 1970 Wellington Cup, |
| Imperatriz | Berimbau | Sharmadal | Mark Walker | 2021 Eclipse Stakes, 2021 Northland Breeders Stakes, 2021 Soliloquay Stakes, 2022 Levin Classic, 2022 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes, 2022 Foxbridge Plate, 2023 Railway Stakes (New Zealand), 2023 Westbury Classic, 2023 Waikato Sprint, 2023 and 2024 William Reid Stakes, 2023 McEwen Stakes, 2023 A J Moir Stakes, 2023 Manikato Stakes, 2023 Champions Sprint (VRC), 2024 Black Caviar Lightning | |
| Habitation | Full O'Tricks | Trictrac | Davina Waddell | ||
| Passefleur | Vice Regal | Brian Jenkins | 1998: Auckland Cup, Melbourne Cup | ||
| Thorn Park | Cierzo | Centaine | John Bary | ||
| Pins (Aus) | Miss Jessie Jay (NZ) | Spectacularphantom (USA) | Graeme & Debbie Rogerson | 2009 Eclipse Stakes, New Zealand 2000 Guineas & New Zealand 1000 Guineas | |
| Kincardine (GB) | Valadore | Valkyrian | E. N. Fitzgerald | 1941 Great Northern Derby, Awapuni Gold Cup, Wellington Cup, 1941 & 1942 Easter Handicap, 1942 Auckland Cup, 2006 inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | |
| Blarney Kiss (USA) | Malrayvis (NZ) | Messmate (GB) | Snow Lupton, Waverley | ||
| La Mer | Copenhagen II | La Balsa | Worden II | Malcolm K Smith, New Plymouth | 1976 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes, 1977: Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes, New Zealand Oaks & Trentham Stakes, 1978: New Zealand International Stakes, Awapuni Gold Cup & Desert Gold Stakes 1978 & 1979: Ormond Memorial Stakes (now Spring Classic), 1979: Air New Zealand Stakes |
| Limerick | Limond (GB) | Medley | Varco (GB) | Fred D Jones | 1926,1927 & 1928 Chelmsford Stakes, 1927: AJC Plate, Craven Plate, 1927 & 1928: Rawson Stakes, AJC Spring Stakes, Hill Stakes, 1928: All Aged Stakes, Chipping Norton Stakes, AJC Kings Cup |
| Little Brown Jug[77] | Godavari (Ire) | Pease (NZ) | Targui (Fra) | P Jones, Riccarton | 1979 Canterbury Gold Cup, New Zealand 2000 Guineas, 1980 Wellington Stakes. Won 12 of 15 New Zealand starts. |
| Admiral's Luck (GB) | Maneroo | Siegfried (GB) | Jack McDonald | ||
| McGinty | One Pound Sterling (GB) | Ernader (NZ) | Serenader II (Ire) | Colin Jillings, Takanini | 1981/82 Great Northern Foal Stakes, 1982 Todman Slipper Trial, 1983 George Adams Stakes, Air New Zealand Stakes, Caulfield Stakes, 1984 Rawson Stakes, Air New Zealand Stakes |
| Melody Belle | Commands | Meleka Belle | Iffraaj | Jamie Richards | 2017: Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes. 2018/19: Windsor Park Plate, Tarzino Trophy. 2019: Haunui Farm Classic, Waikato Sprint, Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes, Livamol Spring Classic, Empire Rose Stakes. |
| Richfield Rose | Crested Wave | Bill Borrie | 2003 Mudgway Stakes, 2004 Nestle Peters Classic (later known as Myer Classic & Empire Rose Stakes), 2005 Stoneybridge Stakes. | ||
| Moifaa | Natator | Denbigh | The Painter | W Hickey | |
| Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) | Centafit (NZ) | Centaine | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | 2015: Waikato Guineas, Avondale Guineas, New Zealand Derby, Australian Derby & Caulfield Cup | |
| Yir Tiz | Bismark | Dave & Paul O'Sullivan | 1989 & 1990 Telegraph Handicap, 1989, 1990 & 1991 Railway Stakes, 1991: Waikato Sprint & The Galaxy, 2014 inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | ||
| Mufhasa[78] | Pentire (GB) | Shiela Cheval (NZ) | Mi Preferido | Stephen McKee | 2008 GR Kelt Memorial, Coupland's Bakeries Mile, 2009 Telegraph Handicap, Waikato Sprint, 2010 Otaki-Maori Weight for Age, 2011 Telegraph Handicap, Waikato Sprint, Makfi Challenge Stakes, Toorak Handicap, Captain Cook Stakes, 2012 Futurity (Caulfield), Windsor Park Plate, Manawatu Challenge Stakes |
| Night Raid (GB) | Marsa | Martian | Jim McAulay | 1928: New Zealand Derby, New Zealand 2000 Guineas, 1929: Epsom Handicap, W. S. Cox Plate, Melbourne Cup, 1930: New Zealand Cup, Rawson Stakes, 1930 & 1932 AJC Autumn Stakes, 1931 & 1932 Awapuni Gold Cup, 1932 AJC Cumberland Stakes | |
| Thorn Park | Sayyida | Gary Hennessy | 2012: Wellington Guineas, Challenge Stakes, Underwood Stakes, Caulfield Stakes, W. S. Cox Plate, 2013 New Zealand Stakes | ||
| O'Reilly | Last Tycoon (Ire) | Courtza (NZ) | Pompeii Court (USA) | David J & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata | 1996 Levin Classic, 1997 Telegraph Handicap. 1996/97 Horse of the year. Retired to stud after injury in Newmarket Handicap, 6th start. Champion sire. Inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame[79] |
| Our Maizcay (Ire)[80] | Maizcay (Aus) | Maire Viita (Ire) | Dalsaan (GB) | Grant L Searle, Levin | 1994: Wellesley Stakes, 1995: Eclipse Stakes, NZ Magic Millions Classic, Wakefield Stakes, Caulfield Guineas |
| Phar Lap[81] | Night Raid (GB) | Entreaty (NZ) | Winkie (GB) | Harry Telford | 1929: Rosehill Guineas, AJC Derby, Victoria Derby, 1930: VRC St Leger, Chipping Norton Stakes, AJC Plate now the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ATC), Chelmsford Stakes, Melbourne Cup, CB Fisher Plate, 1931: St George Stakes, Futurity Stakes, Underwood Stakes, Memsie Stakes, 1929, 1930 & 1931: Craven Plate, 1930 & 1931 AJC Springs Stakes, W. S. Cox Plate, Melbourne Stakes, 1932: Agua Caliente Handicap (Tijuana, Mexico), 2001: Inaugural induction to Australian Racing Hall of Fame, 2006: Inducted in New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame |
| Poetic Prince | Yeats (USA) | Finisterre (Aus) | John Wheeler | ||
| Prince Majestic[82] | Noble Bijou (USA) | Princess Mellay (NZ) | Mellay (GB) | Ray Verner, Takanini | 1980 Wanganui Guineas, AJC Spring Champion Stakes, 1981: Taranaki Stakes, WRC Harcourt Stakes 1982: Tancred Stakes, Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ATC), 1983 O'Shea Stakes (Eagle Farm), |
| Stoneyfell Road | Sovereign Red | Mark Walker | |||
| Red Mars (GB) | Myarion | Myosotis (GB) | Syd Brown, T.J. Smith | 1955: Awapuni Gold Cup, Turnbull Stakes, 1956: Brisbane Cup, Metropolitan Handicap, Caulfield Stakes, Colin Stephen Quality Handicap, Caulfield Cup, 1956 & 1957 P.J. O'Shea Stakes & Hill Stakes, 1957 Rawson Stakes, W. S. Cox Plate, VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes, AJC Autumn Stakes, 2012 inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | |
| Ring the Bell[83] | Rangong (GB) | Witchcraft (NZ) | Mystery (GB) | Neville Atkins, Waiuku | 1981: Avondale Championship Stakes, Avondale Guineas, New Zealand Derby, Canterbury Guineas |
| Alonzo | Faster | Mr. Standfast | Ivan Tucker, Fred Hoysted | 1954: Caulfield Stakes, W. S. Cox Plate, Melbourne Cup, Turnbull Stakes, John F. Feehan Stakes, 1954 & 1955 Caulfield Cup, C.B.Fisher Plate, VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes, LKS Mackinnon Stakes, 1955: Herbert Power Stakes, 1956: Blamey Stakes, C F Orr Stakes, Memsie Stakes, 2002: Inducted into Australian Racing Hall of Fame, 2008: inducted to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | |
| Riverina Charm[84] | Sir Tristram (Ire) | Country Charm (Ire) | Northfields (USA) | Laurie Laxon (NZ), then Brian Mayfield-Smith (Sydney) | 1987-88 Rosehill Guineas, 1988: VRC Edward Manifold Stakes, 1000 Guineas (Caulfield), 1989: STC Canterbury Guineas, 1990: Air New Zealand Stakes. Dam of Sarwatch and Paolino |
| Roman Consul | Agricola | Jinks (NZ) | Faux Tirage (GB) | Eric Ropiha, Woodville | 1965: New Zealand Derby, 1967, 1968 & 1969: Chelmsford Stakes, 1968: Colin Stephen Quality Handicap, 1969: LKS Mackinnon Stakes, 1969 & 1970: O'Shea Stakes (Eagle Farm) |
| Roughcast (USA) | Certain Habit (NZ) | Ashabit (GB) | John Wheeler | 1990 Queensland Derby, 1991 Mudgway Stakes, 1991 & 1992 Stradbroke Handicap, 1992 Captain Cook Stakes, AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes, 1991, 1992 & 1993 Doomben Cup, 1992 & 1993 All Aged Stakes, 1995: O'Shea Stakes (Eagle Farm) 2012 inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | |
| O'Reilly | Iguazu's Girl | 2012: Hawke's Bay Guineas, New Zealand 2000 Guineas, 2013 & 2014 Doncaster Handicap, 2014 George Main Stakes | |||
| Cape Cross | Just Cruising | Broad Reach | Graeme Sanders | 2005: New Zealand 1000 Guineas, 2006 & 2007: Mudgway Stakes, Stoneybridge Stakes, 2007 Mannerism Stakes, Telegraph Handicap & Waikato Sprint | |
| Seagram | Balak | Llanah | Bally Royal (GB) | 1991 Grand National, Aintree Racecourse, England | |
| Show Gate | Gate Keeper (GB) | Minglow | Globe of Light (GB) | Gordon Thomson (Mosgiel) | 1973 & 1974: Churchill Stakes, 1973, 1974 & 1976: Stewards Handicap, 1974: Telegraph Handicap, Awapuni Gold Cup, 1974 & 1976: Canterbury Gold Cup, 1976: Dunedin Gold Cup, Trentham Stakes, 2012: inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame |
| Silver Knight | Alcimedes | Cuban Fox | Foxbridge | Eric Temperton | 1971: New Zealand St. Leger & Melbourne Cup |
| Miss Opera | Paris Opera | Graham Nicholson | |||
| Solveig[85] | Imposing (Aust) | Soliloquy | Sobig | C G Curnow & Trevor McKee, then Stephen & Trevor McKee, Takanini | 1983/84 Royal Stakes, New Zealand Oaks, 1986: Avondale Cup |
| Morcon (GB) | Yallah Sun (AUS) | Yallah Native (USA) | Mrs M J Murdoch | 1991: Wellington Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes, Waikato Guineas. 1992: Waterford Crystal Mile in Moonee Valley. 1993: New Zealand Stakes, Manawatu Challenge Stakes. 1994: Action TV Sales Stakes, Kelt Capital Stakes, W. S. Cox Plate. 1995: Japan Racing Association Trophy, Challenge Stakes. | |
| Desert Sun (GB) | Songline | Western Symphony (USA) | Trevor and Stephen McKee | 1999 & 2000 W. S. Cox Plate, 1999 & 2002: Doncaster Handicap, 2000 Manikato Stakes & Hong Kong Mile, 2000 & 2002: All Aged Stakes & Coolmore Classic, 2001 & 2002 Waikato Sprint, 2006 inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | |
| Crested Wave | Lady Aythorpe | Aythorpe | Dave & Paul OSullivan | 1990 New Zealand 2000 Guineas & New Zealand Derby, 1991 Air New Zealand Stakes, Rosehill Guineas, W. S. Cox Plate | |
| Tawfiq | Joyarty | Lee Freedman | |||
| The Filbert | Souvran (GB) | Fauxzann | Don Couchman, Hawera | ||
| The Phantom Chance | Noble Bijou (USA) | The Fantasy (NZ) | Gate Keeper | ||
| Noble Bijou (USA) | The Fantasy (NZ) | Gate Keeper | |||
| Diagrammatic (USA) | Azores (AUS) | King Of Babylon | Jim Gibbs and R A James | Avondale Guineas, Waikato Guineas, 1986 New Zealand Derby, 1987 Canterbury Guineas, Air New Zealand Stakes | |
| Khorassan | Florida | Salmagundi | Tommy J. Smith | 1957: VRC Derby, AJC Derby, Queensland Derby, Rosehill Guineas, Warwick Stakes, Caulfield Stakes, Caulfield Cup, 1958: All Aged Stakes, Rawson Stakes, VRC St Leger, AJC St leger, 1958 & 1960: Chipping Norton Stakes, 1960: W. S. Cox Plate, LKS Mackinnon Stakes, Chelmsford Stakes, Craven Plate, 1961: Brisbane Cup, 1958, 1960 & 1961: Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ATC), 1960 & 1961: P.J. O'Shea Stakes, 2008: Inducted to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | |
| Tycoon Lil[86] | Last Tycoon (Ire) | Imposing Bloom II (NZ) | Imposing (Aus) | Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill | 1997: New Zealand 1000 Guineas, 1998 Royal Stakes, Sir Tristram Fillies Classic, New Zealand Oaks, Canterbury Guineas, Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes, |
| Uncle Remus | Bandmaster II | Tusitala | Talismano | Colin Jillings, Takanini | 1977 Wellington Guineas, New Zealand 2000 Guineas, Canterbury Gold Cup, Avondale Guineas, New Zealand Derby. 1978 Wellington Stakes, Wellington Derby, |
| Hermes (GB) | Tip O'Dawn (NZ) | Count Rendered (GB) | Leo H Robinson | 1976 Herbert Power Handicap & Melbourne Cup, 1982 Waikato Hurdle & Hawkes Bay Hurdle, 1983 Rangitikei Steeplechase, 1984 Egmont Steeplechase | |
| Crossways (GB) | Lavender | Super Gray (USA) | Chris Turner | 1991: Levin Classic, New Zealand 2000 Guineas, 1992: Canterbury Guineas, LKS Mackinnon Stakes, 1993 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ranvet Stakes, Australian Cup, 2018 inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | |
| Vice Regal[87] | Bismark II (GB) | Kind Regards | Le Filou (Fra) | Jim W Campin (Cambridge) | 1976: Ellerslie Sires Produce Stakes, Great Northern Guineas, Wellington Guineas, New Zealand 2000 Guineas, 1977: South Australian St Leger, Liston Stakes (Victoria), Feehan Stakes, |
| Volkstok'n'barrell[88] | Tavistock (NZ) | Volkster (NZ) | Volksraad (GB) | 1) Donna Logan (NZ), 2) Chris Gibbs (NZ), 3) Danny O'Brien | 2015: Great Northern Guineas, Karaka 3YO Mile, Rosehill Guineas, 2016: Haunui Farm Classic, New Zealand Stakes, 2017: Herbie Dyke Stakes, |
| Waverley Star / Our Waverley Star | Star Way | Super Show | Great Nephew (GB) | Dave & Paul O'Sullivan | 1986 Zabeel Classic, 2nd to Bonecrusher in W. S. Cox Plate, 1987: Chipping Norton Stakes |
| Excelo | Centro | Michael Moroney | 2004 New Zealand Derby, 2005: Mudgway Stakes, New Zealand Stakes, Kelt Capital Stakes, 3rd in Melbourne Cup, 2008: Trentham Stakes | ||
| Lady Giselle | Colin Hayes, then David Hayes | 1989 Moonee Valley Stakes, 1990 Australian Guineas, Craiglee Stakes, Champion/Leading Sire in New Zealand (1998-2001) and 1997/98 & 1998/99 Leading sire in Australia. 2014 inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. Successful sire. | |||
| Gone With The Wind | Light Wind (Fra) | Roger James | 1997 New Zealand Derby, 2000 Kings Plate, 2001 Zabeel Classic | ||
| Horse | Born | Sire | Dam | Grandsire | Damsire | Key Progeny | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darci Brahma | 2002 | Grand Echezeaux | Danzig (USA) | Catalyst, Gust Of Wind, Julinsky Prince, Nashville, | ||||
| Foxbridge | 1930 | Foxlaw | Bridgemount | Son-in-Law (GB) | Bridge Of Earn (GB) | The Foxbridge Plate is raced at Te Rapa over 1200m | ||
| O’Reilly | 1993-2014[89] | 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[90] | Palestine | Tambara | Nasrullah | ||||
| 2001 | Savannah Success | Kawi, Probabeel, Sangster, Scarlett Lady, Shillelagh | ||||||
| Sir Tristram (Ire) | 1971-1997 | Sir Ivor (USA) | Isolt | 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) | Sir Slick, Military Move, Torlesse | |||
| 1986-2015 | Lady Giselle | 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 | |||||
| 1965-1990 | Toyama | Le Haar | ||||||
The following are the recent winners of major cups.
| Year | New Zealand Cup (Riccarton) 3200m[91] | Auckland Cup (Ellerslie) 3200m[92] | Wellington Cup (Trentham) 3200/2400m[93] | Awapuni Gold Cup (Awapuni) 2000m[94] | Waikato Gold Cup (Te Rapa) 2400m[95] | Counties Cup (Pukekohe) 2100m[96] | Manawatu Cup (Awapuni) 2300m[97] | Avondale Cup (Avondale) 2400 /2200 /2000m[98] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Mehzebeen | Mahrajaan | Mary Louise | Nereus | Blue Sky At Night | Nereus | Islington Lass | Asterix |
| 2023 | Mahrajaan | Platinum Invador | Leaderboard | Brando | Dionysus | One Bold Cat | Sagunto | Aquacade |
| 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 | 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 | Bruce Almighty | Tinseltown | Tullaroan | [not raced] | |
| 2009 | My Scotsgrey | Spin Around | Megapins | MacO'Reilly | Passchendale | Boundless | High Octane | Ginga Dude |
| 2008 | Hoorang | Young Centaur | Lovetrista | Galleons Reach | Jonbalena | Tinseltown | ||
| 2007 | Everswindell | Willy Smith | 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 | 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[99] | Telegraph Handicap (Trentham) 1200m[100] | Waikato Sprint (Te Rapa) 1400m[101] | Stewards Stakes Handicap (Riccarton) 1200m[102] | Otaki-Maori Weight for Age (Otaki) 1400m / 1600m[103] | Foxbridge Plate (Te Rapa) 1400m[104] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Waitak | Mercurial | Bonny Lass | Mystic Park | La Crique | Bonny Lass |
| 2023 | Imperatriz | Maria Farina | Levante | Dragon Leap | ||
| 2022 | Entriviere | Levante | Buoyant | Marscarpone | Imperatriz | |
| 2021 | Avantage | Avantage | Summer Monsoon | Avantage | Mascarpone | |
| 2020 | Julius | Avantage | Te Akau Shark | Prince Oz | Avantage | Avantage |
| 2019 | Santa Monica | Enzo's Lad | 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 | El Chico | Keep The Peace | Fritzy Boy | |
| 2010 | A Gold Trail | Vonusti | Tavistock | Coup Align | Bulginbaah | |
| 2009 | Jacowils | Coup Align | Culminata | Bulginbaah | ||
| 2008 | Imananabaa | Seachange | San Bernadino | Alamosa | Jacowils | |
| 2007 | Donna Rosta | Darci Brahma | Coup Bloomsbury | Baltaine | ||
| 2006 | Baldessarini | Gee I Jane | Kristov | Clifton Prince | 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 | Ima Royal | No Mean City | O'Malleys Boy | |
| 2001 | Fritz | Star of Gold | 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 | 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 | TAB (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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Kopua | Ladies Man | Snazzytavi | Puntura | Legarto | El Vencedor | Snazzytavi | |
| 2023 | Puntura | Desert Lightning | Campionessa | He's A Doozy | Sharp 'N' Smart | Prowess | White Noise | |
| 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 | Authentic Paddy | Thee Auld Floozie | Volkstok'n'barrell | Lizzie L'Amour | Seventh Up | ||
| 2016 | Battle Time | Aide Memoire | Consensus | Valley Girl | Volkstok'n'barrell | Sound proposition | ||
| 2015 | Addictive Habit | Julinsky Prince | 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 | 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[107] | Auckland / Great Northern Guineas 2100m / 1600m | Waikato Guineas (Te Rapa) 2000m | Avondale Guineas 1600m / 2100m | Wellington Guineas (Trentham) 1500m / 1400m | New Zealand Derby (Ellerslie) 2400m | New Zealand 1000 Guineas (Riccarton) 3YO fillies 1600m[108] | New Zealand 2000 Guineas (Riccarton) 1600m[109] | Levin Classic (Otaki / Trentham) 1600m | New Zealand Oaks (Trentham) 3YO fillies 2400m[110] | Desert Gold Stakes (Trentham) 3YO fillies 1600m[111] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Savaglee | Pendragon | Ascend The Throne | Orchestral | Grail Seeker | Captured By Love | Savaglee | Quintessa | Pulchritudinous | Sudbina | ||
| 2023 | Lantern Way | Prowess | Loosespender | Desert Lightning | Cognito | Molly Bloom | Crocetti | Romancing The Moon | Pennyweka | Mazzolino | ||
| 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 | The Perfect Pink | Noverre | Bonham | Amarelinha | Force Of Will | ||
| 2020 | Aegon | Dragon Leap | Two Illicit | Dragon Leap | Gold Bracelet[112] | 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 | Media Sensation | Madison County | Age Of Fire | Savvy Coup | Dijon Bleu | ||
| 2017 | Hard Merchandize | Swissta | Wyndspelle | Gingernuts | Saracino | Hasahalo | Embellish | Hall Of Fame | Nicoletta | |||
| 2016 | Mongolian Falcon | 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 | not raced | Puccini | Puccini | not raced | Platinum Witness | Recite | Miss Mossman | Moozoon | ||||
| 2013 | Sir Andrew | Castizeberg | Valbuena | Sacred Park | Costa Viva | Atlante | n/a | More Than Sacred | High Fashion | |||
| 2012 | Sacred Falls | Silent Achiever | Silent Achiever | Neo | Silent Achiever | Rollout The Carpet | Southern Lord | Artistic | Quintessential | |||
| 2011 | Antonio Lombardo | Knight's Tour | Icepin | President Lincoln | Planet Rock | Rock "n" Pop | Distill | Midnight Oil | Dating | |||
| 2010 | Zarzuela | not raced | Barside | Military Move | King's Rose | We Can Say It Now | Keep The Peace | Keep The Peace | ||||
| 2009 | Keyora | Zarzuela | Easy Ryder | Joey Massino | Keyora | Eileen Dubh | Jungle Rocket | Glamorous Girl | ||||
| 2008 | Tell A Tale | Le Baron | 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 | ||
| 2006 | Jokers Wild | Santagostino | Wahid | Veloce Bella | Jokers Wild | Wahid | Dorabella | Magic Cape | Porotene Gem | Legs | Out Of Align | |
| 2005 | Sculptor | not raced | Pulcinella | Darci Brahma | not raced | Magic Cape | Justa Tad | Senorita Dane | ||||
| 2004 | Shastri | Magnetism | Sista | Mandela | Ambitious Owner | Justa Tad | Clean Sweep | Ambitious Owner | Wharite Princess | Pride Of The Class | ||
| 2003 | Stardane | Bridie Belle | Philamor | Philamor | Kainui Belle | Taatletail | King's Chapel | Russian Pearl | Bramble Ross | Lonestar Lady | ||
| 2002 | Bunker | Sparkling Star | Super Kid | St Reims | Jack The Stripper | 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 | 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 | 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 became 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Grail Seeker | One Bold Cat | Snazzytavi | ||
| 2023 | Skew Wiff | Mustang Valley | Ladies Man | ||
| 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 Ōtaki | |
| 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).[113]
There was considerable media commentary regards the proposed closure of racetracks in smaller centres.[114] During October 2018 feedback on the Messara Review was sought. In November 2018 a summary report of the submissions was compiled.[115]
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.[116]
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.[118]
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.[119]
On 20 June 2019 the Racing Reform Bill passed its third reading and final reading in Parliament.[120]
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.[121] 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.[122]