| Surface: | Turf |
| Class: | Group I |
| Horse Race: | New Zealand Derby |
| Location: | Ellerslie Racecourse Auckland, New Zealand |
| Inaugurated: | 1875 |
| Race Type: | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website: | Ellerslie Racecourse |
| Distance: | 2,400 metres (12 furlongs) |
| Track: | Right-handed |
| Qualification: | Three-year-olds |
| Weight: | Set-Weights |
| Purse: | NZ$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.
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.
Many of New Zealand's most famous racehorses feature on the list of New Zealand Derby winners,[2] including:
Roger James has won the New Zealand Derby six times, including once in partnership with Jim Gibbs and once in partnership with Robert Wellwood. 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]
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]
| Year | Winner | Breeding | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time | Second | Third | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024[5] | Orchestral[6] | Savabeel - Symphonic | Craig Grylls | Roger James & Robert Wellwood | Colin & Helen Litt | 2:26.79 (good) | Antrim Coast | Ascend The Throne | ||||||||||
| 2023[7] | Redwood - Queen Margaret | Ryan Elliot | 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[8] | Asterix | Tavistock - Mourasana (GB) by Shirocco | Johnathan Parkes | Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott | 2:27.24 (good) | La Crique | Regal Lion | |||||||||||
| 2021[9] | 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[10] | Sherwood Forest[11] | 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[12] | Crown Prosecutor | Medaglia d'Oro - Riptide (by Exceed and Excel)[13] | 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[14] | Vin De Dance | Roc de Cambes - Explosive Dancer (by San Luis)[15] | Jason Waddell | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | OTI Racing (Mgr: T Henderson), L Muollo & Kilted Taniwha Syndicate | 2:28.44 | Mongolianconqueror | Danzdanzdance | ||||||||||
| 2017[16] | Gingernuts | Iffraaj - Double Elle (by Generous)[17] | Opie Bosson | Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards | Te Akau Gingernuts Syndicate | 2:28.27 | Rising Red | Jon Snow | ||||||||||
| 2016[18] | Rangipo | Stryker - Holloway (by Zabeel) | Vincent Colgan | Tony Pike | John & Margaret Thompson | 2:28.89 | What's The Story | Raghu | ||||||||||
| 2015[19] | 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[20] | 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[21] | 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[22] | 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 | 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 |
See 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.
See 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.