Aotearoa Classic
| Class | Group 3 |
|---|---|
| Location | Ellerslie Racecourse |
| Inaugurated | 2024 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1,600 metres (8 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Qualification | Four-year-old horses |
| Weight | Set weights (57.5kg for male horses, 55.5kg for female) |
| Purse | $1,040,000 (2026) |
The Aotearoa Classic is a Group three horse race for four year old horses held on Karaka Million night in late January each year at Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland, New Zealand.[1] The Karaka Million race night is held on the eve of the National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka.
History
The first edition of the race was held Saturday 27 January 2024 when Desert Lightning won from Legarto and Rudyard.[2] The 2025 edition was a listed race and it attained Group Three status in 2026. It was reported that the 2026 Aotearoa Classic was the highest race for turnover in New Zealand for January with $1.2 million bet on it via the New Zealand TAB and it's betcha app.[3]
Recent results
| Year |
Stake |
Winner |
Sire |
Dam |
Jockey |
Trainer(s) |
Time |
Second |
Third |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026[4] | $1,040,000 | Tuxedo 57.5 | Tivaci (Aus) | Ball Gown | Opie Bosson | Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray | 1:36.06 (soft) | Hinekaha 55.5 | Knobelas 55.5 |
| 2025[5][6] | $1,000,000 | Orchestral 55.5[7] | Savabeel | Symphonic | Craig Grylls | Roger James & Robert Wellwood | 1:35.99 (soft) | Mary Shan 55.5 | Mosinvader 57.5 |
| 2024[8][9] | $1,000,000 | Desert Lightning 57.5 | Pride of Dubhai (Aus) | Isstoora (Aus) | Vincent Colgan | Peter & Dawn Williams | 1:32.53 (good) | Legarto 55.5 | Rudyard 57.5 |
See also
References
- ↑ "Aotearoa Classic". Racing and Sports.
- ↑ "Desert Lightning upstages Legarto in Aotearoa Classic". Love Racing.
- ↑ "Classic surprises as NZ highest turnover race in January". The Straight News. 25 February 2026.
- ↑ "Race 3 Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing on 24 Jan 2026". Love Racing.
- ↑ "Race 2 Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing on 25 Jan 2025". Love Racing.
- ↑ "Barneswood Farm go back-to-back in Aotearoa Classic". NZ Racing News. 25 January 2025.
- ↑ Guerin, Michael. "Mick On Monday: Shock retirement after Orchestral loses her rhythm". NZ Herald.
- ↑ "Race 5 Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing on 27 Jan 2024". Love Racing.
- ↑ "Desert Lightning (NZ) Spectacular in Aotearoa Classic". NZB Thoroughbred. 11 April 2026.