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. 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.
Notable winners
Many of New Zealand's most famous racehorses feature on the list of New Zealand Derby winners, including: Desert Gold, Gloaming, Nightmarch, Kindergarten, Mainbrace, Balmerino, Bonecrusher, Xcellent, Jimmy Choux, Silent Achiever, Mongolian Khan.
Multiple winning trainers and jockeys
Roger James has won the New Zealand Derby five times, including once in partnership with Jim Gibbs. 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.
Winning fillies
Only a small number of fillies have ever won the Derby against the male horses. This list includes:
the great Desert Gold winning the 1915 New Zealand Derby at Riccarton and the 1916 Great Northern Derby Our Flight in 1983 Tidal Light in 1986 Popsy in 1994 Silent Achiever in 2012 Habibi in 2013.
On two of those occasions, fillies have also finished second – Cure in 1986 and Fix in 2013.
New Zealand Derby results
Not run in 2005 with change of date from December to March
In the 1987 race Accountant was first past the post, but relegated.
Winners of the New Zealand Derby at Riccarton
Note: the New Zealand Derby (Riccarton) and the Great Northern Derby were combined into one race at Ellerslie in 1973.