New Zealand Derby - History

History

The race combines two races which were the New Zealand Derby, run since 1860 in Riccarton, Christchurch and the Great Northern Derby, run since 1875 in Ellerslie, Auckland. Both were run over 12 furlongs, and were equally prestigious derbies. The combining of the two races into one was achieved in 1973, when the New Zealand Derby was moved from Christchurch up to Auckland, and the Great Northern Derby was no longer run.

In 1973, the "combined" New Zealand Derby was held in Ellerslie. Riccarton was instead given two 1,600 m races for three-year-olds in place of the Derby, the One Thousand and Two Thousand Guineas. After its May debut, the race was soon moved to New Year's Day, and then finally to Boxing Day. It continued to be run on this day for many years and became a popular traditional social occasion for Aucklanders until it was moved to the first day of the new Auckland Cup Week in March. The first March running of the Derby in 2006 was won by Wahid, from the stable of Allan Sharrock in New Plymouth.

Only a small number of fillies have ever won the Derby against the male horses including the great Desert Gold. Four have done so since 1980 - Our Flight in 1983, Tidal Light in 1987, Popsy in 1994 and Silent Achiever in 2012, all exceptional fillies.

Many of New Zealand's most famous racehorses feature on the New Zealand Derby's/Great Northern Derby's winners' lists, including Nightmarch, Kindergarten, Balmerino, Desert Gold, Mainbrace, Gloaming and Bonecrusher. Several horses features on both lists, including the great Defaulter, who won the 1938 NZ Derby and then the 1939 Great Northern Derby.