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.
6-670: 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,
12-555: The New Zealand Derby (Riccarton) and the Great Northern Derby were combined into one race at Ellerslie in 1973. Note : the New Zealand Derby (Riccarton) and the Great Northern Derby were combined into the one race at Ellerslie in 1973. New Zealand Derby (Riccarton) The New Zealand Derby was a set-weights thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses run over a distance of 2400m at Riccarton Racecourse in Christchurch , New Zealand . The inaugural running of
18-535: The Derby was in 1860, when racing was held at Riccarton Racecourse. The race was one of the two main races for three-year-olds in New Zealand, the other being the Great Northern Derby at Ellerslie. The two races were effectively combined into one from 1973, again using the name the New Zealand Derby . However the race was moved from Christchurch to Auckland at Ellerslie Racecourse . The Great Northern Derby
24-550: 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. 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. Note :
30-613: 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 -
36-483: 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, 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
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