Product Code Database
The Auckland Cup is an annual race held by the Auckland Racing Club (ARC). It is an Open Handicap for thoroughbred racehorses competed on the flat turf over 3200 metres (two miles) at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand.
The race was formerly graded as a Group One (G1) event but as from 2022 is a Group 2.
It was first contested in 1874.
This race was won by Templeton who must have been an impressive horse as to inspire Thomas Bracken (composer of 'God Defend New Zealand') to write a requiem of sorts to his fading prowess called Old Templeton. The day was reviewed positively in the 28 December issue of the New Zealand Herald, Papers Past: The New Zealand Herald and was found to be absent of ‘sheanannaking’ and ‘hanky-panky’ and that everything was ‘above-board’ and ‘up hill and down straight’.
In 1898 W H Bartlett filmed Uhlan winning the Auckland Cup at Ellerslie Racecourse for the entrepreneur Alfred Henry Whitehouse. This was the first time a horse-race had been in New Zealand.
Since 2006, the race has been contested on the second Saturday of Auckland Cup Week at the beginning of March on the same race day as the New Zealand Stakes and the Sistema Stakes (Ellerslie Sires Produce Stakes). From 2025 onwards, it was part of Champions Day, alongside the Group One New Zealand Derby, Group One Sistema Stakes, Group One New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes, Group One New Zealand Stakes and the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi.
For many years the Auckland Cup was the richest horse race in New Zealand. However, it has been surpassed in recent years by the New Zealand Derby and Karaka Million two year old and three year old races.
Scheduling
The race was run on Boxing Day from in its inception until 1958 and from then until 2006 it was on New Year's Day.
Notable winners
The Auckland Cup has been won by such notable horses as:
Auckland Cup and Avondale Cup double
In recent years the following Auckland Cup winners have also won the Avondale Cup:
Race results since 1958
Interpretation 59 Mark Twain 52 Ladies Man 56 Sound 58 Sound 57 2020 55 Heather Lyn (NZ) Samantha CollettAntony Fuller, Tauranga
PG Allan, SB Cunningham, Mrs SH Fuller & C Squires 3:19.96 (good) Sound 55 Platinum Invador 56 2019 53.5 Bilancia (NZ) Samantha Collett Bill Thurlow, Waverley G D & P A Thurlow, B J & S A McAree 3:32.00 (heavy) Five to Midnight 56 Blue Breeze 55 2018New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2018 (47th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. 54 Just Polite (AUS) Johnathan Parkes Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth FJ & HT O'Leary 3:22.17 Five To Midnight 56.5 Wildflower 53.5 2017New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2017 (46th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. 53.5 Charmed (NZ) Leith Innes Tony Pike, Cambridge V T W Breeding Company Ltd, G & J Capes 3:22.90 El Pistola 53 Jacksstar 56 2016 55 Zo'Al (NZ) Darryl Bradley Phillip Devcich, Cambridge Phillip Devcich, B & C Higginson 3:21.70 Rose Of Virginia 53 Sacred Master 55 2015 52 Bohemian Blues (NZ) Mark Du Plessis Tony Pike, Cambridge Raffles Racing 3:21.74 King Kamada 53 Pondarosa Miss 55.5 2014 52.5 Ears Carol (NZ) Matt Cameron Mark Oulaghan, Awapuni O'Leary Brothers 3:25.28 Celtic Prince 52.8 More Than Sacred 52 2013 54.5 Quinta Special (IRE) Opie Bosson Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young, Cambridge M Bradley, M Fenwick, K Greenlees et al. 3:23.23 El Soldado 52.5 Chaparrone 52 2012New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2012 (41st edition). Birch, Andrew, Editor. New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing, Hamilton, New Zealand. 55 Original Sin (NZ) James McDonald Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth A Baeyertz, J Goodin, G MacDonald et al. 3:25.35 Spiro 57.5 Six O’Clock News 59 2011 54.5 Our Sophie (NZ) Opie Bosson Kevin Myers, Whanganui J N Wallace 3:17.02 Showcause 53 Castle Heights 52 2010 57.5 Miss Vita (USA) Damien Oliver Anthony Cummings, Randwick N Falconer et al. 3:18.96 Booming 51 Tin Goose 51 2009New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2009 (39th edition). Clark, Adrian, Editor. New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing, Hamilton, New Zealand. 55.5 Be Yourself (USA) Vinnie Colgan Steven Cooper, Ardmore Brookby Stables 3:23.61 Mr Tipsy 52 Mandela 57.5 2008New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2008 (37th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand. 52.5 Pen Bal Lady (GB) Mark Sweeney Graeme Sanders & Debbie Sweeney, Te Awamutu J C Wallis 3:35.09 Gallions Reach 53 Resolution 52 2007 52 Pen Bal Lady (GB) Mark Du Plessis Graeme Sanders & Debbie Sweeney, Te Awamutu J C Wallis 3:23.63 Pentane 56.5 Luckshan 53 2006 53 Tuff One (NZ) Michael Walker Lance O'Sullivan, Matamata M G & P A Fraher 3:21.52 Zabeat 54.5 Zarius 53 2005New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2005 (34th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand. 52 Show Games (AUS) Mark Du Plessis Paul Jenkins, Matamata M Glennan, B Hewitt et al. 3:29.45 Bondy 53.5 Zabeat 53.5 2004New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2004 (33rd edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand. 51 Set Up (NZ) Gemma Sliz Karen Fursdon, Matamata Pepsi Syndicate 3:23.61 Galway Lass 52.5 My Governess 53 2003 52.5 Ballina Wave (NZ) Noel Harris Neil Connors, Woodville C & E M Connor 3:20.03 Oarsman 52 Ebony Honor 50 2002 55.5 Dragon Pearl (USA) Scott Seamer Ken Collins, Trentham Watson Bloodstock 3:21.74 Cyclades 51.5 Ebony Honor 52.5 2001 56 Regal Mal (NZ) Michael Coleman C Alderson K L & K K Yam 3:26.91 Ebony Honor 56 Nikisha 52 2000New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2000 (29th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. 53.5 Enhancer (NZ) Grant Cooksley Bruce Wallace, Takanini Able International Syndicate 3:22.34 Second Coming 54.5 In My Time 52.5 1999 51.5 The Dimple (NZ) Noel Harris Colin Jillings & R Yuill, Takanini Sir Michael Fay & Sir Patrick Hogan 3:21.91 Shans Beau 52 Mulqueen 52 1998 49.5 Opie Bosson Brian Jenkins, Cambridge A Burr & B Jenkins & P Tatham 3:19.97 Aerosmith 50 North Lady 50 1997New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1997 (26th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand. 52.25 Liase (AUS) Grant Cooksley Kirk W Roberts, Rosehill Ross M Nichols 3:23.02 Interval 51.5 Regal Chief 53.5 Wigan Prince 50 All In Fun 50 Tethys 52 Ultimate Aim 50 Cool Reception 49 Coconut Ice 51 All Nighter 49.25 Dark Moments 48 Shannon Lad 49 Threesome 51.25 Final Advance 47 Otakiri Maid 52 Fountaincourt 57 Daisy 53.5 Ruanuku 51.5 Northfleet 52 Reading 49 Optica 52 Good Lord 59 Nui Dat 48.5 Tom’s Mate 50 Master Morgan 54 Valiant Warrior 49.5 Rustler Monty Johnny Cash Johnny Cash Styleman Geyser Lord Midnight Kiss Yardstick Fair Tiger Summer Regent Even Stevens Conference Daysun Froth Foxmara
Previous winners
The following are earlier winners of the Auckland Cup. The DB Racing Annual 1974. Bradford, David, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland.
See also
|
|
