thumb|right|upright=1.25|[[Wellington Cup race in New Zealand]]

The racing of Thoroughbred horses (or gallopers, as they are also known) is a popular gaming and spectator sport and industry in New Zealand.

History

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.

Race clubs and courses of New Zealand

Thoroughbred racing is held throughout New Zealand, including courses in some of the smaller centres.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"

|- bgcolor="LightSteelBlue" align="center"

! width="120px" | Club<br />

! width="170px" | Course, Town/city/province <br />

! width="30px" | Track

! width="80px" | Direction

! width="30px" | Straight

! width="250px" | Notes <br />

|-

| Ashburton RC || Ashburton, New Zealand || 1876m ||left-handed || 382m ||

|-

| Auckland RC || Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland || 1876m ||right-handed ||382m||

|-

| Avondale JC || Avondale Racecourse, Auckland || 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

|-

| 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 || Hawera || 1822m||left-handed ||350m ||

|-

| Feilding JC || Awapuni, Palmerston North || 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 || Ōtaki, Horowhenua || 1800m ||left-handed ||400m||

|-

| Manawatu RC || Awapuni, Palmerston North || 1700m ||left-handed || 350m ||Part of RACE Includes a synthetic track

|-

|Marlborough RC || Waterlea, Blenheim ||1700m || left-handed ||300m ||

|-

| Marton JC || Awapuni, Palmerston North || 1700m ||left-handed || 350m ||Part of RACE

|-

| Masterton RC || Tauherenikau Racecourse, near Featherston, Wairarapa || 1810m ||left-handed || 315m || 1 meeting per year, in March

|-

| Matamata RC || Matamata || 1628m || left-handed ||400m||

|-

| Oamaru JC || Oamaru, North Otago || 1800m|| left-handed||350m ||

|-

| Otago RC || Wingatui & Cromwell || 2000m & 1600m|| left-handed both ||350m both||

|-

| Otaki-Maori RC || Ōtaki, Horowhenua || 1800m || left handed ||400m || the sole surviving Maori club in New Zealand

|-

| Pakuranga Hunt || Ellerslie Racecourse ||1876m ||right-handed ||382m|| the feature event is the Pakuranga Hunt Steeplechase in August

|-

| Poverty Bay Turf Club || Ashwood Park, Gisborne || 1800m|| left-handed||400m ||

|-

| Rangitikei RC || Awapuni, Palmerston North || 1700m ||left-handed || 350m ||Part of RACE

|-

| Reefton JC || Reefton || 1140m ||left handed ||230m || the smallest galloping track in New Zealand. 1 meeting in January

|-

| Riverton RC || Riverton, near Invercargill || 1650m||left-handed || 400m|| Part of Gallop South

|-

| Racing Rotorua || Arawa Park, Rotorua || 1600m ||left-handed|| 300m||

|-

| Rotorua & Bay of Plenty Hunt || Arawa Park, Rotorua || 1600m ||left-handed ||300m || 1 meeting per year, held in September

|-

| South Canterbury RC || Phar Lap raceway, Timaru || 1800m ||left-handed || 400m||

|-

| South Waikato RC || Matamata ||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.

|-

| Tapanui RC || Wingatui, Dunedin || 2000m|| left-handed ||350m || 1 meeting per year, held in December. Part of Gallop South

|-

| Taranaki Racing Inc || New Plymouth || 1600m || left-handed || 375m ||

|-

| Taumarunui || Arawa Park, Rotorua || 1600m|| left-handed||300m || 1 meeting per year, held in July

|-

| Racing Taupo || Centennial Park, Taupō || 1600m || left-handed || 320m|| Part of TRAC

|-

| Racing Tauranga || Tauranga || 1800m ||right-handed ||350m|| Part of TRAC

|-

| Racing Te Aroha || 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 || Waikouaiti, 30&nbsp;km north of Dunedin || 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 || Te Awamutu ||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 || Ascot Park, Invercargill || 1800m|| left-handed|| 215m|| 1 meeting in May

|-

| Wairoa RC || Te Kupenga || 1660m|| left-handed||245m || 2 meetings in February

|-

| Wanganui JC || Whanganui || 1650m || left-handed || 325m|| sand based track

|-

| Waverley RC || Waverley ||1800m || left-handed|| 375m||

|-

| Wellington Racing Club || Trentham Racecourse, Upper Hutt || 2000m || left-handed || 450m|| Part of RACE

|-

| Westland RC || Hokitika || 1290m || right-handed ||340m || 1 meeting per year, only right handed track in the South Island

|-

| Whakatane RC || Te Teko, Whakatāne || 1800m ||right-handed ||420m || 2 meetings per year

|-

| Whangarei RC || Ruakaka, 30&nbsp;km south of Whangārei || 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

|}

Major thoroughbred horse races in New Zealand

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"

|- bgcolor="LightSteelBlue" align="center"

! width="170px" | Race<br />

! width="10px" | Group<br />

! width="80px" | Type <br />

! width="130px" | Location <br />

! width="50px" | Distance <br />

! width="300px" | Notable winners <br />

|-

| Proisir Plate ||1 || Weight for Age || Ellerslie Racecourse, previously Hastings || 1400m ||Grey Way, Melody Belle, Starcraft, Sunline

|-

| Howden Insurance Mile (Arrowfield Park/Windsor Park Plate)|| 1||Weight for Age || Hastings || 1600m||Kawi, Melody Belle, Mufhasa,Starcraft,

|-

| Livamol Classic||1 || Weight for Age || Hastings || 2040m||Melody Belle, Veandercross

|-

| Hawke's Bay Guineas ||2 || 3YO SW|| Hastings || 1400m||Balmerino, Darci Brahma, Mr Tiz, Veandercross

|-

| New Zealand 2000 Guineas|| 1||3YO SW|| Riccarton Racecourse || 1600m||Surfers Paradise,

|-

| New Zealand 1000 Guineas||1|| 3YO Fillies SW|| Riccarton Racecourse || 1600m||Legarto, Tycoon Lil

|-

| New Zealand Cup||3 || Open HCP || Riccarton Racecourse || 3200m||Cuddle, Empire Rose, Fury's Order, Nightmarch

|-

| Mufhasa Classic (Captain Cook Stakes) ||1|| Weight for Age || Trentham Racecourse || 1600m||Kawi, Mufhasa, Rough Habit

|-

|Waikato Cup||3||Open Hcp|| Te Rapa|| 2400m||The Filbert

|-

|Auckland Guineas ||2||3YO SW||Ellerslie Racecourse||1400m|| Jimmy Choux, Puccini

|-

| Zabeel Classic||1 || Weight for Age || Ellerslie Racecourse ||2000m||Kawi, Vosne Romanee

|-

| Telegraph Handicap ||1 || Weight for Age|| Trentham Racecourse || 1200m||Darci Brahma, Mr Tiz, Mufhasa, O'Reilly

|-

| Levin Classic||1 || 3YO SW || Trentham Racecourse || 1600m||Bonecrusher, Imperatriz, O'Reilly, Veandercross

|-

| Trentham Stakes||3 || SWP || Trentham Racecourse || 2100m||Castletown, Empire Rose

|-

| Railway Stakes||1 || Open SWP || Ellerslie Racecourse || 1200m||Avantage, Imperatriz, Mr Tiz (3x)

|-

| Karaka Million 2YO ||R || 2YO (Restricted)|| Ellerslie Racecourse || 1200m||Avantage, Melody Belle, Probabeel

|-

| Karaka Million 3YO Classic ||R || 3YO (Restricted) || Ellerslie Racecourse || 1600m||Probabeel, Well Written

|-

| Aotearoa Classic||L||4YO SW||Ellerslie Racecourse || 1600m||Orchestral

|-

| Desert Gold Stakes ||3 || 3YO Fillies SW || Trentham Racecourse ||1600m||La Mer, Princess Coup

|-

| Thorndon Mile||1 || Open SWP || Trentham Racecourse || 1600m||Grey Way, Kawi, McGinty, Melody Belle, Sir Slick

|-

| Wellington Cup||3 || Open HCP|| Trentham Racecourse || 3200m||Battle Heights, Castletown, Cynisca, Ed, Good Lord, Great Sensation, Il Tempo, Kindergarten, Kiwi

|-

| Avondale Cup ||2 || Open || Ellerslie Racecourse || 2400m|| Even Stevens, Ginga Dude, Happy Union (2x), St Paul (3x, 1896-1898), Tulloch (4x, 1891-93), Whoshot the Barman

|-

| BCD Group Sprint (Waikato Sprint)||1 || Weight for Age|| Te Rapa || 1400m|| Avantage, Darci Brahma, Imperatriz, Melody Belle, Mr Tiz, Mufhasa, Poetic Prince, Sunline, Veandercross

|-

| Herbie Dyke Stakes||1 || Weight for Age || Te Rapa|| 2000m|| Battle Heights, Bonecrusher, Commissionaire, La Mer, Legarto, Sir Slick, The Phantom, The Phantom Chance

|-

| Otaki-Maori Weight for Age||1 ||Weight for Age ||Ōtaki ||1600m||Avantage, Darci Brahma, Kawi, Melody Belle, Mufhasa, Poetic Prince, Rough Habit, Sir Slick

|-

| New Zealand Derby ||1 || 3YO SW|| Ellerslie Racecourse || 2400m|| Balmerino, Bonecrusher, Desert Gold, Gloaming, Jimmy Choux, Kindergarten, Mainbrace, Mongolian Khan, Nightmarch, Silent Achiever, Surfers Paradise

|-

|NZB Kiwi||R || 3YO ||Ellerslie Racecourse||1500m||Damask Rose, Well Written

|-

| Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes ||1 || Weight for Age|| Ellerslie Racecourse|| 2000m||Avantage, Balmerino, Bonecrusher, La Mer, McGinty, Melody Belle, Ocean Park, Silent Achiever, Solvit, Surfers Paradise

|-

| Ellerslie Sires Produce Stakes/Sistema Stakes||1 || 2YO SW || Ellerslie Racecourse|| 1400m||Alamosa

|-

| Auckland Cup ||2 || Open SWP || Ellerslie Racecourse || 3200m||Apollo Eleven, Beau Vite, Castletown, Cuddle, Il Tempo, Jezabeel, Kindergarten

|-

| New Zealand Oaks||1 || 3YO Fillies SW || Trentham Racecourse || 2400m||Bonneval, La Mer, Princess Coup, Tycoon Lil

|-

| New Zealand St. Leger||L || Open SWP (prev 3yo & 3-4yo) || Trentham Racecourse || 2600m||Beau Vite, Dalray, Hail, Kindergarten, Mainbrace, Silver Knight

|-

| Awapuni Gold Cup||2 || Open || Awapuni || 2000m||Balmerino, Desert Gold, Grey Way, Horlicks, Kindergarten, La Mer, Mainbrace, Nightmarch, Redcraze, Show Gate

|-

| Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes ||1 ||2YO SW || Awapuni || 1400m|| Avantage, Daryl's Joy, La Mer, Melody Belle

|-

| Championship Stakes ||2 || 3YO || Ellerslie Racecourse || 2100m||Habibi, Silent Achiever, Wahid

|-

| Easter Handicap ||3 || 3YO+ Open HCP || Ellerslie Racecourse || 1600m||Grey Way, Kindergarten (2x), Sleepy Fox (4x), Veyron (2x)

|-

| New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes ||1 || Weight for Age 3YO+ Fillies & Mares|| Trentham / Ellerslie / Te Aroha / Te Rapa|| 1600m|| Avantage, Imperatriz

|-

| Auckland Futurity Stakes (Great Northern Foal Stakes)||L || 2YO || Ellerslie Racecourse ||1400m||McGinty

|-

| Great Northern Hurdles ||P|| Jumping Hurdles || Te Rapa, formerly Ellerslie Racecourse||4190m|| Brockton, Elrey (2x), Just Not Cricket (2x), Loch Linnie (2x), Mr Hickey (2x), Smoke Ring (2x), Solar Mist (2x), The Cossack (2x)

|-

| Great Northern Steeplechase||P || Jumping Steeplechase || Te Rapa, formerly Ellerslie Racecourse || 6400m|| Brockton (2x), Brookby Song (2x), Eiffel Tower, Golden Flare (2x), Hunterville (3x), Moifaa, West Coast (2x), Wise Men Say (2x)

|-

|Grand National Hurdles||P ||Jumping Hurdles || Riccarton Racecourse||4200m||Counter Punch, Crown Star, Eiffel Tower

|-

|Grand National Steeplechase ||P ||Jumping Steeplechase ||Riccarton Racecourse||5600m||Crown Star, West Coast

|-

| DB Draught Classic || ||Weight for Age || Ellerslie Racecourse || 2100m||Only raced twice (1989 & 1990), both won by Horlicks

|-

|}

Prominent people

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"

|-

! width="80px" | Name<br />

! width="30px" | Born<br />

! width="60px" | Occupation<br />

! width="350px" | Contribution and Honours<br />

! width="250px" | Key horses associated with<br />

|-

| Lisa Allpress||1975 ||Jockey || 4 NZ jockey Premierships (2012, 2016, 2019 and 2020), 1956 NZ winning rides (as at January 2025) || 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

|-

|Opie Bosson ||1980 ||Jockey|| Winner of 2087 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||1913-1990|| Jockey || New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, 11 times New Zealand Champion jockey, 1446 winners in New Zealand plus 11 in Australia || Sombrero, Soneri

|-

| Jim Cassidy || 1963 || Jockey || Winner of 104 Group One races, Australian Racing Hall of Fame, New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame || Kiwi, Might and Power, Rough Habit

|-

|John Bernard (Cos) Costello ||1937 - 2019 || Journalist and Author|| 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 ||

|-

|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 || 4 consecutive Golden Slippers, Australian Racing Hall of Fame, New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame || Octagonal, Tawriffic

|-

|Hector Gray||1885-1957||Jockey and Trainer||7 NZ jockey premierships||

|-

|Bill Hazlett|| 1905-1978 || Owner and breeder || First New Zealander to win more than 1,000 races as an owner. New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame || Eiffel Tower

|-

|Sir Patrick Hogan KNZM CBE|| 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 || Sir Tristram, Zabeel

|-

|Joanne Hale (Giles) ||1950 ||Jockey ||First Kiwi woman to ride in a totaliser race in New Zealand on 15 July 1978 at Waimate ||

|-

|Norm Holland||1924 - 2014|| Jockey||Winner of NZ jockey premiership (3x) and over 900 race day wins||Algalon, Gene, Nusha, Palora, Stipulate, Syntax

|-

|Roger James|| ||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 || New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame || Stipulate, McGinty, Uncle Remus, The Phantom Chance

|-

|Chris Johnson || || Jockey || Holds the record for NZ winning rides (2515). To this date Chris has won 21 group 1 races.||Canterbury Belle, Loader, Savvy Coup, Sea Swift, Tartan Tights, Tycoon Lil

|-

| Linda Jones||1952 || Jockey ||Trail blazing woman jockey. New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame ||Holy Toledo, Lavaro

|-

| Sheila Laxon || || 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|| ||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), 544 winners (428 in New Zealand)||Argonaut Style, Miss Stanima, Sirtain

|-

| Trevor McKee and Stephen McKee|| 1937 - 2019||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

|-

|Michael Moroney||1958 - 2025||Trainer|| Trained Brew to win the 2000 Melbourne Cup ||Brew, Tofane, Xcellent

|-

| Lance O'Sullivan|| 1963 || Jockey || New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit || Horlicks, Popsy, Waverley Star

|-

|Paul O'Sullivan|| 1959||Trainer|| ||Horlicks, Popsy, Surfers Paradise

|-

| Seton Otway || 1894-1989 || Founder of Trelawney Stud || New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame || Foxbridge, Alcimedes

|-

| Jamie Richards || || 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 || New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, || Jockey || Previously held the record for most NZ wins (2451). Over 2500 wins worldwide, including the Telegraph Handicap (3x), W. S. Cox Plate, Brisbane Cup and Adelaide Cup.

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.

Women jockeys

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.

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. Another female jockey riding then was Cherie Saxon (Hastings).

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.

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.

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:

  • Lisa Cropp (2005-2007), 970 NZ winning rides. Winner of the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (2007) and Kelt Capital Stakes (2006).
  • Lisa Allpress (2012, 2016, 2019 and 2020). 1956 NZ winning rides as at July 2025. Winner of the New Zealand Cup (2012 & 2015), New Zealand Oaks (2019), Wellington Cup (2013).
  • Samantha Collett (2018), 969 NZ winning rides as at 14 March 2026. Winner of the Auckland Cup (2019 & 2020), Wellington Cup (2021).
  • Danielle Johnson (2021), 1082 NZ winning rides and winner of the Livamol Classic (2021) and Telegraph Handicap (2021).

Other female riders of note include:

  • Linda Ballentyne, 539 NZ winning rides, winner of the Kelt Capital Stakes (2000)
  • Sarah Campbell, winner of the Auckland Cup (1995)
  • Jan Cameron, winner of the New Zealand Cup (1996)
  • Kim Clapperton, winner of the Malaysia-Singapore premiership in 1993 and the first female jockey to ride in Hong Kong (1995). Won the Raffles Cup three times in siccession (1993–95). First female winner of the Singapore Gold Cup (1995).
  • Alysha Collett, winner of the Zabeel Classic (2016)
  • Tina Comignaghi, 499 NZ winning rides as at 12 March 2026 and winner of the New Zealand Cup (2022)
  • Hayley Curran, winner of the Grand National Hurdles (2013)
  • Kelly Davidson, winner of the 1998 Easter Handicap, 159 NZ wins and 72 in Western Australia
  • Tina Egan, winner of the Grand National Hurdles (1994) and Great Northern Steeplechase (1995).
  • Leanne Elliot, winner of the Grand National Hurdles (1992) and Grand National Steeplechase (1995).
  • Debbie Healey, winner of the Geelong Cup (1983) and Moe Cup (1982) with Debs Mate and first female jockey to compete in the Cox Plate
  • Debbie Henderson, the first woman to win the Grand National Steeplechase (1994) as well as the Great Western Steeplechase and Great Western Hurdle in the same year.
  • Leah Hemi, 309 NZ winning rides as at July 2025, Winner of the New Zealand Cup (2019)
  • Kate Hercock, 432 NZ winning rides as at July 2025
  • Michelle Hopkins, winner of the Grand National Hurdles (2004) and Great Northern Steeplechase (2001 & 2004).
  • Shelley Houston, winner of the Great Northern Hurdles (2010 & 2012)
  • Catherine Hutchison (formerly Tremayne), 590 NZ winning rides. Winner of the New Zealand Oaks (1989), New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1996), New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1996)
  • Leanne Isherwood, 312 NZ winning rides. Winner of the Wellington Cup (1993 & 1999)
  • Debbie Kennedy, 207 NZ winning rides. Winner of the 1995 & 1996 White Robe Stakes and 1999 Dunedin Cup.
  • Rochelle Lockett, winner of the Grand National Hurdles (2002 & 2003) and Grand National Steeplechase (2000)
  • Maree Lyndon, 428 NZ winning rides. Winner of the Auckland Cup (1990), New Zealand Cup (1982).
  • Sarah Macnab, winner of the New Zealand Cup (2021)
  • Portia Matthews, winner of the Grand National Hurdles (2023 & 2024)
  • Kelly Myers, 764 NZ winning rides as at 14 March 2026. Winner of the New Zealand Cup (2008, 2014 & 2016)
  • Rosie Myers, 650 NZ winning rides. Winner of the New Zealand Cup (2013), New Zealand Oaks (2011)
  • Laura Noel, winner of the 2005 Great Northern Hurdles
  • Megan Prendergast, winner of the Grand National Steeplechase (1999)
  • Joanne Rathbone, winner of the Great Northern Steeplechase (2005)
  • Samantha Spratt, 1127 NZ wins (as at August 2025), winner of the New Zealand Cup (2017 & 2018), New Zealand 1000 Guineas (2017), Wellington Cup (2016), Livamol Classic (2015), Telegraph Handicap (2009, 2011 and 2024)
  • Trudy Thornton (formerly Archer and Collett), 1174 NZ winning rides. Winner of the Wellington Cup (2009 & 2020), Kelt Capital Stakes (1998), Zabeel Classic (2017).
  • Lee Tiley (formerly Rutherford), 581 NZ winning rides. Winner of the New Zealand Cup (1997)
  • Kayla Veenendaal, winner of the Grand National Hurdles (2013) and Great Northern Hurdles (2013)
  • Michelle Wenn, 534 NZ winning rides, winner of the Easter Handicap (1999)
  • Kylie Williams, 990 NZ wins (as at July 2025) including the Timaru Cup five times.

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. 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.

Prominent New Zealand horses

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. During the 2008-09 racing season 19 New Zealand-bred Thoroughbreds won 22 Group One races around the world.

Horses may also go to Asia (mainly Hong Kong or Singapore) or on occasions to Europe or the United States.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"

|-

! width="80px" | Horse<br />

! width="80px" | Sire<br />

! width="80px" | Dam<br />

! width="80px" | Dam Sire<br />

! width="100px" | Trainer(s)<br />

! width="500px" | Notable victories or achievements <br />

|-

|Advance||Vanguard ||Laurel|| Young Gownsman||Joe Prosser|| 1900 Easter Handicap, 1901 All Aged Stakes

|-

| Apollo Eleven|| Cyrus || Lady Rizzo ||Treasure Hunt || K. (Slim) Foster || 1973 Tancred Stakes (now the BMW), Auckland Cup, AJC Plate now the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ATC). 1973 & 1975 Chipping Norton Stakes

|-

|Avantage||Fastnet Rock ||Asavant || Zabeel ||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.

|-

| Balmerino || 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

|-

| Bonecrusher || 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

|-

| Carbine || 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

|-

| Castletown || One Pound Sterling (GB) ||Mona Curragh|| Levmoss||Patrick M Bussuttin|| 1989 New Zealand Derby, 1991 Kelt Capital Stakes, 1992 Auckland Cup & Caulfield Stakes, 1991, 1992 & 1994 Wellington Cup, 2014 inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame

|-

| Cuddle|| Psychology (GB) || Caress (NZ) || Martian (NZ) ||C J Stowe || 1935 New Zealand Cup, 1935 & 1936 Auckland Cup, 1936 All Aged Stakes, St George Stakes & Doncaster Handicap, 2014 inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame

|-

| Cynisca|| Apremont|| Nautilus || Traducer || || 1890, 1891 & 1892 Wellington Cup, 1892 Easter Handicap

|-

| Dalray || 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||Danehill ||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

|-

| Desert Gold || 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

|-

| Dundeel/It's A Dundeel || High Chaparral || Stareel|| Zabeel ||Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman|| 2012: Gloaming Stakes, Spring Champion Stakes, 2013 Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas, Australian Derby, Underwood Stakes. 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ATC)

|-

| Empire Rose || Sir Tristram (Ire) || Summer Fleur|| Sovereign Edition || Laurie Laxon|| 1987 New Zealand Cup, 1988 LKS Mackinnon Stakes & Melbourne Cup, 1989 Trentham Stakes

|-

| Ethereal || Rhythm (USA) || Romanee Conti || Sir Tristram ||Sheila Laxon || 2001 Queensland Oaks, Caulfield Cup & Melbourne Cup, 2002 The BMW, 2016 inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame

|-

| Even Stevens || Fairs Fair || Amaroo|| Gold Nib ||Archie McGregor || 1961 Avondale Cup, 1962 CB Fisher Plate, Caulfield Cup & Melbourne Cup

|-

|Foxzami||Nizami||Honeywood|| Foxbridge ||Dan Lewis|| 1949 STC Cup & Melbourne Cup

|-

| Furys Order|| Indian Order (GB) || Our Fury (NZ)|| Le Filou (FR) ||Wally McEwan || 1973: New Zealand Derby, New Zealand 2000 Guineas, 1974 New Zealand Cup, 1975 W. S. Cox Plate

|-

| Gloaming || 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

|-

| Great Sensation || 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 Way || Grey William (GB) || Waybrook (NZ) || King's Command|| E P Corboy, Washdyke|| 1974 Chirnside Stakes, 1976 Awapuni Gold Cup, 1977 Easter Handicap, 2010 inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame

|-

|Gurner's Lane||Sir Tristram||Taiona|| Sovereign Edition (IRE) ||Geoff Murphy||1982: Newcastle Gold Cup, VRC St Leger, Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup

|-

| Horlicks || 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|| I Am Invincible || 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

|-

| Isle Of Man || Habitation || Full O'Tricks || Trictrac ||Davina Waddell || 1981 New Zealand Derby, 1982 Rosehill Guineas

|-

| Jezabeel || Zabeel || Passefleur|| Vice Regal ||Brian Jenkins|| 1998: Auckland Cup, Melbourne Cup

|-

| Jimmy Choux || Thorn Park || Cierzo||Centaine ||John Bary|| 2010 Hawke's Bay Guineas & New Zealand 2000 Guineas, 2011 New Zealand Derby, Rosehill Guineas, Windsor Park Plate, Spring Classic

|-

| Katie Lee || Pins (Aus) || Miss Jessie Jay (NZ)|| Spectacularphantom (USA) ||Graeme & Debbie Rogerson || 2009 Eclipse Stakes, New Zealand 2000 Guineas & New Zealand 1000 Guineas

|-

| Kindergarten || 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

|-

| Kiwi || Blarney Kiss (USA) || Malrayvis (NZ)|| Messmate (GB)||Snow Lupton, Waverley|| 1983 Wellington Cup, Melbourne Cup

|-

| 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 || 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.

|-

| Mainbrace || Admiral's Luck (GB) || Maneroo|| Siegfried (GB) ||Jack McDonald || 1950 Great Northern Guineas, 1951: Great Northern Derby, New Zealand St. Leger, Awapuni Gold Cup, North Island Challenge Stakes, 2008 inducted to New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame

|-

| 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.

|-

|Miss Potential || Dolphin Street || 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|| 1904 Grand National, Aintree Racecourse, England. 2014: inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame

|-

|Mongolian Khan || Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)|| Centafit (NZ)|| Centaine ||Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman|| 2015: Waikato Guineas, Avondale Guineas, New Zealand Derby, Australian Derby & Caulfield Cup

|-

| Mr Tiz || Bletchingly || 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 || 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

|-

|Nightmarch || 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

|-

| Ocean Park || Thorn Park || Sayyida || Zabeel ||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

|-

| Our Maizcay (Aus) || 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 || 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)|| Biscay ||John Wheeler|| 1988 Otaki-Maori Weight for Age, Feehan Stakes, W. S. Cox Plate. 1989: Otaki-Maori Weight for Age, Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ATC) & Tancred Stakes

|-

| Prince Majestic|| 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),

|-

|Princess Coup || Encosta De Lago || Stoneyfell Road|| Sovereign Red||Mark Walker || 2007: New Zealand Oaks, Desert Gold Stakes, Lowland Stakes, 2007 & 2008 Kelt Capital Stakes (Spring Classic), 2008 Stoneybridge Stakes

|-

|Redcraze || 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|| Rangong (GB) || Witchcraft (NZ) || Mystery (GB) ||Neville Atkins, Waiuku || 1981: Avondale Championship Stakes, Avondale Guineas, New Zealand Derby, Canterbury Guineas

|-

| Rising Fast || 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 || 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)

|-

|Rough Habit || 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

|-

| Sacred Falls || O'Reilly|| Iguazu's Girl || Redoute's Choice ||Chris Waller || 2012: Hawke's Bay Guineas, New Zealand 2000 Guineas, 2013 & 2014 Doncaster Handicap, 2014 George Main Stakes

|-

|Seachange || 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) || David Barons || 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

|-

|Sir Slick || Volksraad || Miss Opera || Paris Opera ||Graham Nicholson || 2007: Zabeel Classic & Whakanui New Zealand International Stakes, Otaki-Maori Weight for Age, 2008: New Zealand Stakes, 2007 & 2009 Thorndon Mile, 2007, 2008 & 2010 Awapuni Gold Cup, 2009 3rd Doomben Cup

|-

|Solveig || Imposing (Aust) || Soliloquy || Sobig ||C G Curnow & Trevor McKee, then Stephen & Trevor McKee, Takanini|| 1983/84 Royal Stakes, New Zealand Oaks, 1986: Avondale Cup

|-

|Solvit || 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.

|-

|Sunline || 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

|-

|Surfers Paradise || 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

|-

|Tawrrific || Tawfiq || Joyarty || Noble Bijou ||Lee Freedman || 1988 South Australian St Leger, 1989: AJC St Leger, Melbourne Cup

|-

| The Filbert|| Souvran (GB)|| Fauxzann ||Zamazaan ||Don Couchman, Hawera || 1986: Waikato Gold Cup, 3rd to Bonecusher & Waverley Star in the W. S. Cox Plate, 1987: Japan New Zealand International. 3rd in Japan Cup

|-

| The Phantom Chance|| Noble Bijou (USA)|| The Fantasy (NZ) || Gate Keeper ||Colin Jillings || 1992 Avondale Guineas, New Zealand Derby, 1993: Cambridge Stud New Zealand International Stakes, W. S. Cox Plate, Turnbull Stakes 1996: O'Shea Stakes (Eagle Farm)

|-

|The Phantom || Noble Bijou (USA) || The Fantasy (NZ) || Gate Keeper ||Murray Baker || 1990: Underwood Stakes, 1993: LKS Mackinnon Stakes, 1994 Cambridge Stud New Zealand International Stakes

|-

|Tidal Light || 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

|-

| Tulloch || 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 || 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,

|-

|Van der Hum || 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

|-

|Veandercross || 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 || 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 || 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

|-

|Xcellent || Pentire || Excelo || Centro ||Michael Moroney|| 2004 New Zealand Derby, 2005: Mudgway Stakes, New Zealand Stakes, Kelt Capital Stakes, 3rd in Melbourne Cup, 2008: Trentham Stakes

|-

|Zabeel || Sir Tristram || Lady Giselle || Nureyev ||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.

|-

| Zonda || Zabeel || Gone With The Wind ||Light Wind (Fra) ||Roger James|| 1997 New Zealand Derby, 2000 Kings Plate, 2001 Zabeel Classic

|-

|}

Notable sires

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"

|-

! width="70px" | Horse<br />

! width="30px" | Born<br />

! width="70px" | Sire<br />

! width="70px" | Dam<br />

! width="70px" | Grandsire<br />

! width="70px" | Damsire<br />

! width="180px" | Key Progeny<br />

! width="250px" | Notes<br />

|-

| Darci Brahma|| 2002||Danehill ||Grand Echezeaux || Danzig (USA)||Zabeel ||Catalyst, Gust Of Wind, Julinsky Prince, Nashville, ||

|-

| Foxbridge|| 1930 || Foxlaw || Bridgemount || Son-in-Law (GB)|| Bridge Of Earn (GB) || Damsire of: Hi Jinx, Hiraji, Macdougal, Silver Knight ||The Foxbridge Plate is raced at Te Rapa over 1200m

|-

|Grosvenor||1979||Sir Tristram||My Tricia (NZ)||Sir Ivor||Hermes (GB)||Alacrity, Domino, Ebony Grosve, Look Who's Talking, Omnicorp, Richfield Lady/Lass, Westminster

|-

| O’Reilly|| 1993-2014 || 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 || Palestine||Tambara||Fair Trial ||Nasrullah||

|-

|Pins (Aus)||1996-2018|| Snippets (Aus)||No Finer (Aus)||Lunchtime (GB)||Kaoru Star (Aus)||Aerovelocity, Ambitious Dragon, El Segundo, Katie Lee, Legs||

|-

| Savabeel ||2001 ||Zabeel || Savannah Success||Sir Tristram ||Success Express |||Kawi, Probabeel, Sangster, Scarlett Lady, Shillelagh ||

|-

|Sir Tristram (Ire)|| 1971-1997 || Sir Ivor (USA) || Isolt || Sir Gaylord || Round Table, USA || Brew, Empire Rose, Grosvenor, Gurner's Lane, Marauding, Tristarc, Zabeel ||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) || Secretariat || Sir Slick, Military Move, Torlesse||

|-

|Zabeel ||1986-2015 || Sir Tristram || Lady Giselle || Sir Ivor || Nureyev || 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

|-

| Zamazaan || 1965-1990 || Exbury || Toyama || Le Haar || Tulyar || Beau Zam, Gelsomino, Good Lord, Lord Reims ||

|-

|}

Recent winners of major NZ Cups

The following are the recent winners of major cups.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"

|-

! width="30px" | Year<br />

! width="80px" | New Zealand Cup (Riccarton) 3200m<br />

! width="80px" | Auckland Cup (Ellerslie) 3200m<br />

! width="80px" | Wellington Cup (Trentham) 3200/2400m<br />

! width="80px" | Awapuni Gold Cup (Awapuni) 2000m<br />

! width="80px" | Waikato Gold Cup (Te Rapa) 2400m<br />

! width="80px" | Counties Cup (Pukekohe) 2100m<br />

! width="80px" | Manawatu Cup (Awapuni) 2300m<br />

! width="80px" | Avondale Cup (Avondale) 2400 /2200 /2000m<br />

|-

|2026

|

|Paradise Storm

|Manzor Blue

|

|

|

|

|Final Return

|-

|2025||Bozo ||Trav || Wolfgang||Waitak || Sharp 'N' Smart|| Final Return|| Sagunto|| Blue Sky At Night

|-

|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 || Military Move || 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 || Sir Slick || Bruce Almighty ||Tinseltown || Tullaroan || [not raced]

|-

|2009 || My Scotsgrey || Spin Around || Megapins ||MacO'Reilly ||Passchendale ||Boundless || High Octane || Ginga Dude

|-

|2008 || Hoorang|| Prize Lady || Young Centaur ||Sir Slick || Lovetrista || Galleons Reach|| Jonbalena || Tinseltown

|-

|2007 || Everswindell|| Prize Lady || Willy Smith || Sir Slick || 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 ||St Reims ||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

|-

|}

  • Jezabeel, who was also 2nd in the 1997 Manawatu Cup, won the 1998 Melbourne Cup

Recent winners of major NZ sprint races

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.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"

|-

! width="30px" | Year<br />

! width="80px" | Railway Stakes (Ellerslie) 1200m<br />

! width="80px" | Telegraph Handicap (Trentham) 1200m<br />

! width="80px" | Waikato Sprint <br />(Te Rapa) 1400m<br />

! width="80px" | Otaki-Maori Weight for Age (Otaki) 1400m / 1600m<br />

! width="80px" | Foxbridge Plate <br />(Te Rapa) 1400m<br />

! width="80px" | Stewards Stakes Handicap (Riccarton) 1200m<br />

|-

|2026||Jigsaw || First Five || First Five||Jaarffi || ||

|-

|2025|| Crocetti || Grail Seeker ||Here To Shock || El Vencedor||Sterling Express|| Inflamed

|-

|2024|| Waitak|| Mercurial||Bonny Lass || La Crique|| Bonny Lass|| Mystic Park

|-

|2023|| Imperatriz||Levante ||Imperatriz ||Levante ||Dragon Leap||Maria Farina

|-

|2022|| Entriviere|| Levante||Levante || Marscarpone||Imperatriz||Buoyant

|-

| 2021||Avantage||Avantage ||Avantage || Avantage||Mascarpone||Summer Monsoon

|-

|2020||Julius|| Avantage||Te Akau Shark || Avantage||Avantage||Prince Oz

|-

|2019 || Santa Monica|| Enzo's Lad || Melody Belle || Melody Belle|| Endless Drama || Sheezallmine

|-

|2018 || Volpe Veloce|| Enzo's Lad|| Start Wondering || Devise || Melody Belle|| Prince Oz

|-

|2017 || Start Wondering|| Signify || Start Wondering || Kawi|| Under the Moonlight|| Carnival

|-

|2016 || Ryan Mark || Adventador || Xtravagant || Volkstok 'n' barrel || Saracino|| Reilly Lincoln

|-

|2015 || In Style|| Sacred Star || Sacred Star || Iamishwara || Addictive Habit|| El Chico

|-

|2014 ||Bounding|| Irish Fling|| Viadana || Nashville || I Do||Soubrettes

|-

|2013 || Fleur de Lune ||Final Touch || Final Touch || Nashville || Postman's Daughter|| Durham Town

|-

|2012 ||Atomic Force|| Guiseppina ||Veyron || Veyron || Fleur de Lune|| King Montrose

|-

|2011 || Miss Raggedy Ann|| Mufhasa||Mufhasa || Keep The Peace || Fritzy Boy|| El Chico

|-

|2010 || A Gold Trail || Vonusti ||Tavistock|| Mufhasa ||Bulginbaah|| Coup Align

|-

|2009 ||Jacowils|| Mufhasa ||Mufhasa || Culminata||Bulginbaah|| Coup Align

|-

|2008 || Imananabaa || Seachange|| Seachange || Alamosa ||Jacowils|| San Bernadino

|-

|2007 || Donna Rosta|| Darci Brahma|| Darci Brahma || Sir Slick ||Baltaine|| Coup Bloomsbury

|-

|2006 ||Baldessarini || Gee I Jane || Kristov || Darci Brahma || not raced|| Clifton Prince

|-

|2005 ||Recurring || Keeninsky || Sedecrem || Zveda || Irish Rover||Clifton Prince

|-

|2004 ||Vinaka|| King's Chapel|| Sedecrem || King's Chapel ||El Duce|| Opiki

|-

|2003 ||Egyptian Raine|| Tit for Taat|| Tit for Taat|| Critic ||King Keitel|| Fingalbunt

|-

|2002 ||Sound the Alarm|| Vinaka || Sunline || No Mean City || O'Malleys Boy||Ima Royal

|-

|2001 || Fritz || Star of Gold || Sunline || Star Satire || The Message ||Life Of Riley

|-

|2000 ||Cannsea|| Fritz || Tall Poppy || Surface ||The Message || Tooth

|-

|1999 || Bawalakasana|| Bawalakasana || Surface || Hero ||What Can I Say|| Joe Hero

|-

|1998 || Coogee Walk || Vegas || Rebel || Centre Crest ||Our Orb|| Morgan Bay

|-

|1997 || Kailey|| O'Reilly || Avedon || It's My Sin ||Adonia||Highanabove

|-

|}

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.

Recent winners of other notable Weight for Age or open races

The following are the recent winners of other notable races.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"

|-

! width="30px" | Year<br />

! width="80px" | Thorndon Mile (Trentham) 1600m<br />

! width="80px" | Herbie Dykes Stakes (Te Rapa) 2000m<br />

! width="80px" | Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (Ellerslie) 2000m<br />

! width="80px" | Easter Handicap (Ellerslie) 1600m<br />

! width="80px" | TAB (Couplands) Mile (Riccarton) 1600m<br />

! width="80px" | Mufhasa Classic (Trentham) 1600m<br />

! width="80px" | Zabeel Classic (Ellerslie) 2000m<br />

|-

|2026||Doctor Askar || Legarto|| Legarto || || || ||

|-

|2025 || Provence ||El Vencedor || El Vencedor||Doctor Askar || Mystic Park || Provence || Kingswood

|-

|2024 || Puntura|| Legarto || El Vencedor ||Snazzytavi||Kopua || Ladies Man||Snazzytavi

|-

|2023 ||He's A Doozy ||Sharp 'N' Smart ||Prowess ||White Noise||Puntura || Desert Lightning||Campionessa

|-

|2022||The Chosen One ||Coventina Bay||Coventina Bay||Carolina Reaper|| He's A Doozy||Prise De Fer || Defibrillate

|-

|2021||Melody Belle||Royal Performer|| Melody Belle||Demonetization|| Markus Aurelius||Two Illicit || Tiptronic

|-

|2020 || The Mitigator ||Tiptronic || Avantage||(no race due to COVID-19)|| Hypnos|| Rock On Wood ||Concert Hall

|-

|2019|| Shadows Cast ||On The Rocks || Melody Belle|| Endless Drama || True Enough||Wyndspelle||True Enough

|-

|2018 || Stolen Dance ||Lizzie L'Amour || Saint Emilion ||Megablast||Te Akau Shark || Danzdanzdance || Danzdanzdance

|-

|2017 || Thee Auld Floozie ||Volkstok'n'barrell || Lizzie L'Amour ||Seventh Up|| Shadows Cast / Son Of Maher|| |Kawi ||Authentic Paddy

|-

|2016||Kawi ||Valley Girl ||Volkstok'n'barrell|| Sound proposition||Battle Time || Aide Memoire ||Consensus

|-

|2015 || Puccini||Soriano || Sakhee's Soldier || Pondarosa Miss|| Addictive Habit|| Julinsky Prince |||Kawi

|-

|2014||A Touch Of Ruby||Costume ||Silent Achiever|| Albany Reunion||Addictive Habit || Shuka ||Soriano

|-

|2013 ||Historian ||Sangster ||Ocean Park||Viadana||Scapolo || Shuka || Historian

|-

|2012 ||Say No More ||Shez Sinsational ||Scarlett Lady || Veyron||Nashville || Final Touch ||Veyron

|-

|2011||Booming||Red Ruler ||The Party Stand || Veyron || Platinum Prince || Mufhasa ||Shez Sinsational

|-

|2010 ||Wall Street||Veloce Bella ||Vosne Romanee|| Time Keeper|| Altered Image ||We Can Say It Now ||Booming

|-

|}

Recent winners of major NZ 3-year-old races

The following are the recent winners of major races for 3-year-old horses.

  • The Auckland Guineas was reduced from 2100 metres to 1600 metres in 2010. The race was not run in 2014 as the race moved from Boxing Day to New Year's Day.
  • The Avondale Guineas was not run in 2010 due to the race being moved from Avondale where it was run in December over 1600 metres to Ellerslie where it is run in February over 2100 metres.
  • The Wellington Guineas was moved from an October meeting in 2013 to a March meeting in 2015 and from 1500m to 1400m.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"

|-

! width="30px" | Year<br />

! width="70px" | Levin Classic (Otaki / Trentham) 1600m<br />

! width="70px" | Desert Gold Stakes (Trentham) 3YO fillies 1600m<br />

! width="70px" | Hawke's Bay Guineas (Hastings) 1400m<br />

! width="70px" | Auckland / Great Northern Guineas 2100m / 1600m<br />

! width="70px" | New Zealand 2000 Guineas (Riccarton) 1600m<br />

! width="70px" | New Zealand Oaks (Trentham) 3YO fillies 2400m

|-

|2026|| La Dorado||Fairy Dream || || || Autumn Glory||That's Gold || Origin Of Love|| Road To Paris|| || ||Ohope Wins

|-

|2025||Savaglee || Leica Lucy ||Magic Carpet|| Well Written||Tuxedo ||Thedoctoroflove ||Vegas Queen ||Willydoit || Well Written||Romanoff || Leica Lucy

|-

|2024|| Quintessa||Sudbina||Savaglee ||Pendragon || Ascend The Throne|| Orchestral||Grail Seeker ||Orchestral ||Captured By Love || Savaglee ||Pulchritudinous

|-

|2023||Romancing The Moon||Mazzolino ||Lantern Way||Prowess ||Loosespender ||Desert Lightning|| Cognito||Sharp 'N' Smart ||Molly Bloom ||Crocetti ||Pennyweka

|-

|2022||Imperatriz||La Crique || Pier|| Dark Destroyer||Field of Gold || La Crique|| Shamus|| Asterix|| Legarto||Pier ||Belle En Rouge

|-

|2021|| Bonham||Force Of Will||Mana Nui ||Rocket Spade|| Tokorangi|| Rocket Spade|| Need I Say More||Rocket Spade ||The Perfect Pink ||Noverre || Amarelinha

|-

| 2020||Travelling Light||Showbeel ||Aegon ||Dragon Leap||Two Illicit||Dragon Leap||Gold Bracelet ||Sherwood Forest|| Kahma Lass|| Aegon ||Jennifer Eccles

|-

|2019|| Madison County|| Secret Allure || Catalyst||Surely Sacred||Sponge Bob||Surely Sacred||Emily Margaret || Crown Prosecutor|| Loire || Catalyst || Sentimental Miss

|-

|2018|| Age Of Fire||Dijon Bleu || Madison County||Demonet ization||Xbox||On The Rocks||Scott Base || Vin De Dance || Media Sensation ||Madison County || Savvy Coup

|-

|2017|| Hall Of Fame ||Nicoletta||Hard Merchandize||Swissta||Wyndspelle||Gingernuts||Saracino|| Gingernuts || Hasahalo || Embellish || Bonneval

|-

|2016|| Dukedom|| Duchess Kate ||Mongolian Falcon||Rangipo ||Rangipo||Rangipo|| The Justice League||Rangipo|| La Dioso ||Ugo Foscolo || Fanatic

|-

|2015|| Gaultier|| Platinum Witness ||Amarula ||Volkstock n barrel ||Mongolian Khan||Mongolian Khan||Vespa||Mongolian Khan|| Risque || Xtravagant || Savaria

|-

|2014|| Recite|| Moozoon ||Turn Me Loose || not raced ||Puccini|| Puccini|| not raced ||Puccini || Platinum Witness || Turn Me Loose || Miss Mossman

|-

|2013|| n/a || High Fashion ||Sir Andrew ||Puccini ||Castizeberg||Valbuena||Sacred Park||Habibi || Costa Viva || Atlante || More Than Sacred

|-

|2012|| Southern Lord|| Quintessential||Sacred Falls||Habibi ||Silent Achiever||Silent Achiever||Neo||Silent Achiever|| Rollout The Carpet || Sacred Falls || Artistic

|-

|2011|| Distill|| Dating||Antonio Lombardo||Knight's Tour || Jimmy Choux || Icepin ||President Lincoln||Jimmy Choux || Planet Rock || Rock "n" Pop || Midnight Oil

|-

|2010|| We Can Say It Now || Keep The Peace ||Jimmy Choux ||Jimmy Choux ||Zarzuela|| not raced ||Barside||Military Move|| King's Rose || Jimmy Choux || Keep The Peace

|-

|2009|| Eileen Dubh || Glamorous Girl||Keyora ||Zarzuela||Easy Ryder||Joey Massino||Keyora|| Coniston Bluebird || Katie Lee || Katie Lee || Jungle Rocket

|-

|2008|| Altered Image|| Keepa Cruisin||Tell A Tale ||Le Baron|| Nom Du Jeu || Tell A Tale||Skirmish|| C'est La Guerre|| Daffodil|| Tell A Tale || Boundless

|-

|2007|| Keepa Cruisin || Princess Coup ||Alamosa ||Prince Kaapstad ||Upside Of Anger||Alamosa|| Rios ||Redoute's Dancer|| Insouciant || The Pooka || Princess Coup

|-

|2006|| Porotene Gem||Out Of Align ||Jokers Wild ||Santagostino||Wahid||Veloce Bella||Jokers Wild|| Wahid|| Dorabella || Magic Cape || Legs

|-

|2005|| Wahid || Senorita Dane ||Darci Brahma ||Sculptor||not raced||Pulcinella||Darci Brahma||not raced || Seachange ||Magic Cape | Darci Brahma || Justa Tad

|-

|2004|| Ambitious Owner ||Pride Of The Class ||Shastri ||Magnetism||Sista||Mandela||Ambitious Owner|| Xcellent || Justa Tad || Clean Sweep || Wharite Princess

|-

|2003|| Russian Pearl ||Stardane ||Bridie Belle||Philamor||Philamor||Kainui Belle|| Cut the Cake || Taatletail || King's Chapel || Bramble Ross || Lonestar Lady

|-

|2002|| Bunker|| not raced ||Bunker||Sparkling Star||Super Kid||St Reims||Jack The Stripper|| St Reims || The Jewel || Hustler || Vapour Trail

|-

|2001|| Final Destination || Blackfock College ||Vinaka||Leica Guv||Athens||Leica Guv||I Rock My World|| Leica Guv|| Final Destination || Master Belt ||Tapildo

|-

|2000|| Tit for Taat||Singalong ||Singalong||Millennium||La Bella Dama||Danamite || Spring Rain|| Hail|| Elevenses || Tit For Taat|| She's Country

|-

|1999|| Buzz Lightyear||Thee Old Dragon ||Buzz Lightyear ||Ad Alta ||The Fatz || Ad Alta|| Marrok|| Hades|| Ad Alta || Buzz Lightyear || Savannah Success

|-

|1998|| Tobruk||Pace Invader ||So Casual||Danske ||Figurehead||Just Call Me Sir|| El Duce||So Casual || Pace Invader || Danske || Tycoon Lil

|-

|1997|| Love De Tor||Alavana || Quality Kingdom|| ||Crimson||Zonda||Old Tawny|| Zonda|| Tycoon Lil || Foxwood || Sawatdee

|-

|1996|| O'Reilly ||Tartan Belle ||Batavian || Rodney Red|| Great Command|| Bubble||Batavian || Great Command||Emerald || Hero || Alacrity

|-

|}

Recent winners of the New Zealand Triple Crown races

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:

  • The 1400m Proisir Plate, which was previously known as the Tarzino Trophy, Makfi Challenge Stakes and Mudgway Stakes
  • The 1600m Howden Insurance Mile (Horlicks Plate), which was previously known as the Stony Bridge Stakes, Windsor Park Plate and Arrowfield Stud Plate
  • The 2040m Livamol Spring Classic, which was previously known as the Kelt Capital Stakes.

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.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"

|-

! style="width:38px" | Year<br />

! style="width:140px" | Proisir Plate (1400m)<br />

! style="width:140px" | Howden Insurance Mile (Horlicks Plate, 1600m)<br />

! style="width:140px" | Livamol Spring Classic (2040m)<br />

! style="width:340px" | Notes<br />

|-

|2025||Quintessa|| Waitak || Waitak ||Waitak was 11th in the Proisir Plate

|-

|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

|-

|}

The Messara Report and the New Zealand Government's racing industry reforms

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).

There was considerable media commentary regards the proposed closure of racetracks in smaller centres. During October 2018 feedback on the Messara Review was sought. In November 2018 a summary report of the submissions was compiled.

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.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing's (NZTR) Venue Plan was released in January 2019. The Report recommended:

  • reducing the number of thoroughbred race tracks nationally from 48 to 27 by 2030.
  • racing licences not be allocated to Stratford, Blenheim, Wairoa, Reefton, Hokitika, Waimate, Winton, Dargaville, Thames and Wyndham in the 2019/20 racing season.
  • the Stratford Racing Club track close and its race meeting be held at the Pukekura Raceway in New Plymouth.

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.

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.

On 20 June 2019 the Racing Reform Bill passed its third reading and final reading in Parliament.

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. 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.

See also

  • New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame
  • New Zealand Horse of the Year
  • Auckland Cup Week
  • Wellington Racing Club
  • Glossary of Australian and New Zealand punting
  • List of Melbourne Cup winners
  • Thoroughbred racing in Australia
  • Harness racing in New Zealand

References

  • Gambling and the TAB (Totalisator Agency Board) in New Zealand
  • Hall of Fame profiles
  • Feature Race Results
  • Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips
  • New Zealand Horse Racing Statistics and Information - RaceBase