Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand
The racing of Thoroughbred horses is a popular gaming and spectator sport and industry in New Zealand.
History
commenced soon after European settlement. The first totalisator machine in the world was installed at Ellerslie Racecourse in 1913,.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.| Club | Course, Town/city/province | Track | Direction | Straight | Notes |
| 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 | 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 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 / | Left-handed | 400m/ | 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 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
Prominent people
| Name | Born | Occupation | Contribution and Honours | Key horses associated with |
| Lisa Allpress | 1975 | Jockey | 4 NZ jockey Premierships, 1956 NZ winning rides | 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 | 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 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 | Jockey / trainer | when winning on Jaws at Timaru | As a trainer: Chatham, 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 | on 15 July 1978 at Waimate | |
| Norm Holland | 1924 - 2014 | Jockey | Winner of NZ jockey premiership 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. 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, 1990 Auckland Cup, first female to win a 3200m Cup in Australia and ride in the Melbourne Cup, 544 winners | 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, New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, Member of the Order of the British Empire | Great Sensation, Van der Hum |
| William David (Bill) Skelton | 1931-2016 | Jockey | New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, Member of the Order of the British Empire | |
| Brent Thomson | 1958 | Jockey | Australian Racing Hall of Fame, New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | Dandy Andy, Dulcify, Family of Man, Lord Reims, Strawberry Road |
| Mark Walker | Trainer | Over 2000 training wins in New Zealand, Australia and Singapore | Darci Brahma, Distinctly Secret, Imperatriz, Kings Chapel, Maroofity, Princess Coup, Tell A Tale | |
| Michael Walker | 1984 | Jockey | 1144 New Zealand winning rides | Darci Brahma, Tagaloa, Tit for Taat |
| Chris Waller | 1973 | Trainer | Australian Racing Hall of Fame, New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame | Winx |
| David Walsh | 1959 | Jockey | Previously held the record for most NZ wins. Over 2500 wins worldwide, including the Telegraph Handicap, W. S. Cox Plate, Brisbane Cup and Adelaide Cup. Married Sue Day, the first New Zealand woman to win a race against male jockeys. | Tanalyse, Courier Bay, Solvit |
For further prominent people in New Zealand thoroughbred racing, see the list of honorees of the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.
Leading jockeys
According to www.racebase.co.nz the jockeys with over 2000 New Zealand wins are:- 2515 Chris Johnson
- 2451 David Walsh
- 2355 Lance O'Sullivan
- 2167 Noel Harris
- 2156 Bill Skelton
- 2131 Michael Coleman
- 2093 David Peake
- 2059 Opie Bosson.
- the next highest New Zealand winners are Lisa Allpress and Darryl Bradley.
- after Lisa Allpress, the next highest female jockey is Trudy Thornton who is now riding in Queensland, Australia.
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
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, Joanne Lamond and Vivienne Kaye 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.
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. 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, 970 NZ winning rides. Winner of the New Zealand 2000 Guineas and Kelt Capital Stakes.
- Lisa Allpress. 1956 NZ winning rides as at July 2025. Winner of the New Zealand Cup, New Zealand Oaks, Wellington Cup.
- Samantha Collett, 900 NZ winning rides as at July 2025. Winner of the Auckland Cup, Wellington Cup.
- Danielle Johnson, 1082 NZ winning rides and winner of the Livamol Classic and Telegraph Handicap.
- Linda Ballentyne, winner of the Kelt Capital Stakes
- Sarah Campbell, winner of the Auckland Cup
- Jan Cameron, winner of the New Zealand Cup
- Kim Clapperton, winner of the Malaysia-Singapore premiership in 1993 and the first female jockey to ride in Hong Kong. Won the Raffles Cup three times in siccession. First female winner of the Singapore Gold Cup.
- Alysha Collett, winner of the Zabeel Classic
- Tina Comignaghi, 448 NZ winning rides as at July 2025 and winner of the New Zealand Cup
- Hayley Curran, winner of the Grand National Hurdles
- Kelly Davidson, winner of the 1998 Easter Handicap, 159 NZ wins and 72 in Western Australia
- Tina Egan, winner of the Grand National Hurdles and Great Northern Steeplechase.
- Leanne Elliot, winner of the Grand National Hurdles and Grand National Steeplechase.
- Debbie Healey, winner of the Geelong Cup and Moe Cup with Debs Mate and first female jockey to compete in the Cox Plate
- Debbie Henderson, the first woman to win the Grand National Steeplechase 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
- Kate Hercock, 432 NZ winning rides as at July 2025
- Michelle Hopkins, winner of the Grand National Hurdles and Great Northern Steeplechase.
- Shelley Houston, winner of the Great Northern Hurdles
- Catherine Hutchison, 590 NZ winning rides. Winner of the New Zealand Oaks, New Zealand 1000 Guineas, New Zealand 2000 Guineas
- Leanne Isherwood, 312 NZ winning rides. Winner of the Wellington Cup
- Debbie Kennedy
- Rochelle Lockett, winner of the Grand National Hurdles and Grand National Steeplechase
- Maree Lyndon, 428 NZ winning rides. Winner of the Auckland Cup, New Zealand Cup.
- Sarah Macnab, winner of the New Zealand Cup
- Portia Matthews, winner of the Grand National Hurdles
- Kelly Myers, 726 NZ winning rides as at July 2025. Winner of the New Zealand Cup
- Rosie Myers, 650 NZ winning rides. Winner of the New Zealand Cup, New Zealand Oaks
- Laura Noel, winner of the 2005 Great Northern Hurdles
- Megan Prendergast, winner of the Grand National Steeplechase
- Joanne Rathbone, winner of the Great Northern Steeplechase
- Samantha Spratt, 1127 NZ wins, winner of the New Zealand Cup, New Zealand 1000 Guineas, Wellington Cup, Livamol Classic, Telegraph Handicap
- Trudy Thornton, 1174 NZ winning rides. Winner of the Wellington Cup, Kelt Capital Stakes, Zabeel Classic.
- Lee Tiley, 581 NZ winning rides. Winner of the New Zealand Cup
- Kayla Veenendaal, winner of the Grand National Hurdles and Great Northern Hurdles
- Michelle Wenn, winner of the Easter Handicap
- Kylie Williams, 990 NZ wins including the Timaru Cup five times.
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 or on occasions to Europe or the United States.
Notable sires
| Horse | Born | Sire | Dam | Grandsire | Damsire | Key Progeny | Notes |
| Darci Brahma | 2002 | Danehill | Grand Echezeaux | Danzig | Zabeel | Catalyst, Gust Of Wind, Julinsky Prince, Nashville, | |
| Foxbridge | 1930 | Foxlaw | Bridgemount | Son-in-Law | Bridge Of Earn | Damsire of: Hi Jinx, Hiraji, Macdougal, Silver Knight | The Foxbridge Plate is raced at Te Rapa over 1200m |
| Grosvenor | 1979 | Sir Tristram | My Tricia | Sir Ivor | Hermes | Alacrity, Domino, Ebony Grosve, Look Who's Talking, Omnicorp, Richfield Lady/Lass, Westminster | - |
| O’Reilly | 1993-2014 | Last Tycoon | Courtza | Try My Best | Pompeii Court | Alamosa, Final Destination, Sacred Falls, Shamrocker, Silent Achiever, The Jewel | |
| Pakistan II | 1958 - 1972 | Palestine | Tambara | Fair Trial | Nasrullah | - | |
| Pins | 1996-2018 | Snippets | No Finer | Lunchtime | Kaoru Star | 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 | 1971-1997 | Sir Ivor | 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 | Celtic Assembly | Danzig | 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.| Year | New Zealand Cup 3200m | Auckland Cup 3200m | Wellington Cup 3200/2400m | Awapuni Gold Cup 2000m | Waikato Gold Cup 2400m | Counties Cup 2100m | Manawatu Cup 2300m | Avondale Cup 2400 /2200 /2000m |
| 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 | |
| 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.The winners of the Tarzino Trophy over 1400m are shown in the table for New Zealand's Hastings Triple Crown.
| Year | Railway Stakes 1200m | Telegraph Handicap 1200m | Waikato Sprint 1400m | Otaki-Maori Weight for Age 1400m / 1600m | Foxbridge Plate 1400m | Stewards Stakes Handicap 1200m |
| 2026 | Jigsaw | First Five | ||||
| 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.| Year | Thorndon Mile 1600m | New Zealand International Stakes 2000m | Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes 2000m | Easter Handicap 1600m | TAB Mile 1600m | Mufhasa Classic 1600m | Zabeel Classic 2000m |
| 2600 | Doctor Askar | ||||||
| 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 | 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.
| Year | Levin Classic 1600m | Desert Gold Stakes 3YO fillies 1600m | Hawke's Bay Guineas 1400m | Auckland / Great Northern Guineas 2100m / 1600m | Waikato Guineas 2000m | Avondale Guineas 1600m / 2100m | Wellington Guineas 1500m / 1400m | New Zealand Derby 2400m | New Zealand 1000 Guineas 3YO fillies 1600m | New Zealand 2000 Guineas 1600m | New Zealand Oaks 3YO fillies 2400m |
| 2026 | La Dorado | Fairy Dream | - | ||||||||
| 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 | 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, 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.
| Year | Proisir Plate | Howden Insurance Mile | Livamol Spring Classic | Notes |
| 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.
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 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.
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.