New Zealand Derby

New Zealand Derby
Group I race
	Gloaming, 1918 winner
Location	Ellerslie Racecourse; Auckland, New Zealand
Inaugurated	1875
Race type	Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Website	Ellerslie Racecourse
Race information
Distance	2,400 metres (12 furlongs)
Surface	Turf
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.

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.^[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 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.^[2]

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.^[3]

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.^[4]

Winners of the New Zealand Derby

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Time
2020	Sherwood Forest	Michael Walker	Tony Pike	Goodson & Perron Family Trust, Calder Bloodstock Ltd & Deborah Martin	2:26.77
2019	Crown Prosecutor	Craig Grylls	Stephen Marsh	Huntingdale Lodge 2012 Ltd (Mgr: Harvey Green) & Jml Bloodstock Ltd (Mgr: L Petagna)	2:28.17
2018	Vin De Dance	Jason Waddell	Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman	OTI Racing (Mgr: T Henderson), L Muollo & Kilted Taniwha Syndicate	2:28.44
2017	Gingernuts	Opie Bosson	Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards	Te Akau Gingernuts Syndicate	2:28.27
2016	Rangipo	Vinnie Colgan	Tony Pike	John & Margaret Thompson	2:28.89
2015	Mongolian Khan	Opie Bosson	Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman	Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry	2:28.40
2014	Puccini	Michael Walker	Peter & Jacob McKay	Monovale Holdings Ltd	2:28.39
2013	Habibi	Vinnie Colgan	Donna & Dean Logan	Mrs H J & P J Crofskey & Mrs P A McIntyre	2:27.58
2012	Silent Achiever	James McDonald	Roger James	K J Hickman	2:33.55
2011	Jimmy Choux	Jonathan Riddell	John Bary	Chouxmaani Investments Ltd.	2:38.35
2010	Military Move	Michael Walker	Shaune Ritchie	Steven Lo	2:27.91
2009	Coniston Bluebird	Scott Seamer	Bede Murray	Murray Livestock, J O'Brien, J & R Standford & J Wilson	2:31.04
2008	C'est La Guerre	David Walker	Kevin Myers	K Barker et al.	2:33.47
2007	Redoute's Dancer	Vinnie Colgan	Tim Martin	P. Silvestro	2:27.24
2006	Wahid	Leith Innes	Allan Sharrock	Noel H. & Ron T. Stanley	2:27.42
2005	not raced
2004	Xcellent	Michael Coleman	Michael Moroney	G W Breingan et al.	2:32.01
2003	Cut the Cake	Michael Coleman	Michael Moroney	N M Anderson/G W Breingan et al.	2:28.88
2002	St Reims	Greg Childs	Chris McNab	Rob McAnulty et al.	2:28.57
2001	Leica Guv	Scott Seamer	Jeff McVean	R A and Mrs R J Scarborough	2:28.98
2000	Hail	Noel Harris	Bruce Marsh	A J Cunningham & R B Marsh	2:32.27
1999	Hades	Vinnie Colgan	Roger James	Mrs F E & R A Dixon	2:27.57
1998	So Casual	Damien Oliver	Ross Taylor	G C P Beadel et al.	2:24.80
1997	Zonda	Vinnie Colgan	Roger James	Hundalee Derby Syndicate	2:31.58
1996	Great Command	Darren Beadman	Michael Moroney	H J & J Chan, R R McAnulty & D Tsang	2:27.97
1995	Roysyn	Vinnie Colgan	Roger James	Mrs B P & J B Harvey	2:30.10
1994	Look Who's Talking	Grant Cooksley	Nigel Tiley	Unifaith Limited	2:28.18
1993	Popsy	Lance O'Sullivan	D & P O'Sullivan	Barnaby & Co Ltd	2:27.24
1992	The Phantom Chance	Robert Vance	Colin Jillings	W B Ballin	2:25.98
1991	Cavallieri	Grant Cooksley	Laurie Laxon	L K Laxon, S Shew & F & Mrs Z Sing	2:29.18
1990	Surfers Paradise	Lance O'Sullivan	D & P O'Sullivan	F Cheung, K Chong, G Fong & J D Smith	2:28.02
1989	Castletown	Bruce Compton	Patrick Busuttin	P M Busuttin, B J McCahill & K P Morris	2:29.28
1988	The Gentry	Greg Childs	Ray & Kerry Verner	L W Davis, H K Haub, P J Walker & Haunui Farm	2:27.49
1987	Satisfy	Maurice Campbell	N D Nicoloff	N D & P H Nicoloff	2:35.41
1986	Tidal Light	Grant Cooksley	Jim Gibbs and Roger James	S A Taylor	2:28.63
1985	Bonecrusher	Gary Stewart	Frank Ritchie	Peter J. Mitchell	2:29.47
1984	Jolly Jake	Chris McNab	Alan Jones	I W Allan	2:27.39
1983	I'm Henry	Robert Vance	Colin Jillings	A J & M M Bates	2:29.78
1982	Our Flight	Maurice Campbell	Errol Skelton	J W Rusher	2:32.48
1981	Isle of Man	Robert Vance	Davina Waddell	R F Langsford and D L Waddell	2:28.89
1980	Ring the Bell	Nigel Tiley	Neville Atkins	E M Mackley and B P Wild	2:30.23
1979	Ruling Lad	Garry Phillips	Brian Deacon	E N Baker	2:35.38
1978	Kaiser	Alwin Tweedie	Neville Atkins	T J and Mrs Doole	2:29.42
1977	Uncle Remus	Robert Vance	Colin Jillings	K F Clotworthy and Mrs G M Donaldson	2:29.51
1976	Silver Lad	D Wyatt	B Petley	D and Mrs Nicholls and R R Peel-Walker	2:29.76
1975	Balmerino	Maurice Campbell	Brian Smith	R K Stuart	2:31.21
1974	Mansingh	R J (Bob) Skelton		D V Beetham	2:29.2
1973	Furys Order	D H Harris	Wally McEwan	Len H Bridgeman	2:35

Not run in 2005 with change of date (December 4 – March 6)

Earlier winners (New Zealand Derby)

Note: the New Zealand Derby and the Great Northern Derby were combined into one race in 1973.

1860 Ada
1861 Otto
1862 Emmeline
1863 Azucena
1864 Opera
1865 Egremont
1866 Nebula
1867 Scandal
1868 Flying Jib
1869 Manuka
1870 Envy
1871 Defamation
1872 Calumny
1873 Papapa
1874 Tadmor
1875 Daniel O'Rourke
1876 Songster
1877 Trump Card
1878 Natator
1879 Hornby
1880 Sir Modred
1881 The Dauphin
1882 Cheviot
1883 Oudeis
1884 Black Rose
1885 Stonyhurst
1886 Disowned
1887 Maxim
1888 Manton
1889 Scots Grey
1890 Medallion
1891 Florrie
1892 Stepniak
1893 Skirmisher
1894 Blue Fire
1895 Euroclydon
1896 Uniform
1897 Multiform
1898 Altair
1899 Seahorse
1900 Renown
1901 Menschikoff
1902 Orloff
1903 Roseal
1904 Nightfall
1905 Noctiform
1906 Zimmerman
1907 Elevation
1908 Husbandman
1909 Elysian
1910 Danube
1911 Masterpiece
1912 Bon Reve
1913 Cherubini
1914 Balboa
1915 Desert Gold
1916 The Toff
1917 Estland
1918 Gloaming (AUS)
1919 Rossini
1920 Duo
1921 Winning Hit
1922 Enthusiasm
1923 Black Ronald
1924 Count Cavour
1925 Runnymede
1926 Commendation
1927 Agrion
1928 Nightmarch
1929 Honour
1930 Cylinder
1931 Bronze Eagle (AUS)
1932 Silver Scorn
1933 Nightly
1934 Sporting Blood
1935 Lowenberg
1936 Wild Chase
1937 Royal Chief
1938 Defaulter
1939 Beaulivre
1940 Enrich
1941 Battledress
1942 Rink
1943 Tara King
1944 Pensacola
1945 Al-Sirat
1946 Royal Tan
1947 Liebestraum
1948 St. Bruno
1949 Beaumaris
1950 The Unicorn
1951 Dalray
1952 Programme
1953 Idaho
1954 Port Boy
1955 Syntax
1956 Passive
1957 William Paul
1958 Up and Coming
1959 Sol d'Or
1960 Blue Lodge
1961 Burgos
1962 Algalon
1963 Royal Duty
1964 Trial Offer
1965 Roman Consul
1966 Fair Account
1967 Jazz
1968 Pep
1969 Piko
1970 Fairview Lad
1971 Master John
1972 Classic Wave

Earlier winners (Great Northern Derby)

Note: the New Zealand Derby and the Great Northern Derby were combined into one race in 1973.

1875 – Toi
1876 – Ariel
1877 – Danebury
1878 – Venus Transit
1879 – Omega
1880 – Libeller
1881 – Tim Whiffler
1882 – Fitz Hercules
1883 – Welcome Jack
1884 – Nelson
1885 – Tigridia
1886 – Foul Shot
1887 – Disowned
1888 – Sextant
1889 – Cuirassier
1890 – Tirailleur
1891 – Medallion
1892 – Morion
1893 – St. Hippo
1894 – Loyalty
1895 – Stepfeldt
1896 – Fabulist
1897 – Nestor
1898 – St. Crispin
1899 – Blue Jacket
1900 – Miss Delaval
1901 – Renown
1902 – Menschikoff
1903 – Wairiki
1904 – Gladsome
1905 – Gladstone
1906 – Multifid
1907 – Zimmerman
1908 – Boniform
1909 – Husbandman
1910 – Kilwinning
1911 – Danube
1912 – Counterfeit
1913 – Bon Reve
1914 – Cherubini
1915 – Reputation
1916 – Desert Gold
1917 – Sasanof
1918 – Estland
1919 – Gloaming
1920 – Royal Stag
1921 – Gasbag
1922 – Winning Hit
1923 – Enthusiasm
1924 – Ballymena
1925 – Count Cavour
1926 – Star Stranger
1927 – Commendation
1928 – Martarma
1929 – Red Heckle
1930 – Hunting Cry
1931 – Karapoti
1932 – Bronze Eagle
1933 – Silver Scorn
1934 – Red Manfred
1935 – Gay Blonde
1936 – Greek Shepherd
1937 – Essex
1938 – Courtcraft
1939 – Defaulter
1940 – Beau Vite
1941 – Kindergarten
1942 – Regal Fox
1943 – Indian Princess
1944 – Expanse
1945 – Coronaire
1946 – Lady Foxbridge
1947 – Beau Le Havre
1948 – Sweet Nymph
1949 – Tauloch
1950 – Sweet Spray
1951 – Mainbrace
1952 – Dalray
1953 – Programme
1954 – Fox Myth
1955 – Somerset Fair
1956 – Syntax
1957 – Passive/Gibraltar
1958 – Lawful
1959 – Gitano
1960 – Stipulate
1961 – Cracksman
1962 – Tatua
1963 – Ichtar
1964 – Sobig
1965 – Peterman
1966 – Star Belle
1967 – Ben Lomond
1968 – Bardall
1969 – Piko
1970 – Kirrama
1971 – Master John
1972 – Corroboree

Reference list

^ New Zealand Derby Race History since 1860
^ [1]
^ [2]
^ [3]

N.Z. Thoroughbred Racing Inc.
http://www.racenet.com.au
http://www.nzracing.co.nz
http://www.tab.co.nz
http://www.racebase.co.nz
The Great Decade of New Zealand racing 1970-1980. Glengarry, Jack. William Collins Publishers Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2018 (47th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2017 (46th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2008 (37th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2005 (34th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2004 (33rd edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2000 (29th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1997 (26th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1995 (24th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1994 (23rd edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Meadowset Publishing, Auckland, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1991 (20th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1987 (16th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1985 (Fourteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1984 (Thirteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1982 (Eleventh edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1981 (Tenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1980 (Ninth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1979 (Eighth edition).Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1978 (Seventh edition).Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1976. Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland.

[1] New Zealand Derby Race History since 1860

[2] [1]

[3] [2]

[4] [3]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

History

Winners of the New Zealand Derby

Earlier winners (New Zealand Derby)

Earlier winners (Great Northern Derby)

See also

Reference list