Inaugurated 1875 Surface Turf Distance 2,400 m | Website Ellerslie Racecourse Track Right-handed Purse 1 million NZD (2017) | |
Location Ellerslie Racecourse
Auckland, New Zealand Race type Thoroughbred – Flat racing | ||
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 2015 was $750,000.
Contents
2015 new zealand derby
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. 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 finally 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.
Only a small number of fillies have ever won the Derby against the male horses, including the great Desert Gold. Five have done so since 1980 – Our Flight in 1983, Tidal Light in 1987, Popsy in 1994, Silent Achiever in 2012 and Habibi in 2013. On two of those occasions, fillies have also finished second – Cure in 1986 and Fix in 2013.
Many of New Zealand's most famous racehorses feature on the list of New Zealand Derby winners, including Nightmarch, Kindergarten, Balmerino, Desert Gold, Mainbrace, Gloaming, Bonecrusher, Xcellent, Jimmy Choux, Silent Achiever and Mongolian Khan.
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.
Winners of the New Zealand Derby
Earlier winners (New Zealand Derby)
Note: the New Zealand Derby and the Great Northern Derby were combined into one race in 1973.
Earlier winners (Great Northern Derby)
Note: the New Zealand Derby and the Great Northern Derby were combined into one race in 1973.