New Zealand Derby
New Zealand Derby
Group One Betting Guide
| Date: | Saturday, March 1, 2025 |
| Location: | Ellerslie Racecourse |
| Prize Money: | $1,000,000 |
| Distance: | 2400m |
THE New Zealand Derby is the premier staying race for three-year-olds in New Zealand and carries a purse of $1 million, which is equal top billing with the Karaka Million.
The Derby, held at Ellerslie in March, is a feature race during the Auckland Cup Carnival, which runs for a week and is keenly anticipated by racing fans.
First run in 1860 at Riccarton in Christchurch, the New Zealand Derby amalgamated with the Great Northern Derby and moved to Ellerslie in 1875. It was formerly run on Boxing Day, but for the last few years it was moved to March where a new Cup Week carnival was introduced.
Since the change in dates the winners have gone on to perform successfully on the world stage, which was part of the reason why the Auckland Racing Club made the change.
Horses such as Jimmy Choux, Silent Achiever and Mongolian Khan are recent winners of the Derby and it has always been the most popular betting race in New Zealand.
2025 New Zealand Derby betting odds
Betting markets for the 2025 New Zealand Derby are currently unavailable.
Best New Zealand Derby bookmakers
All the bookmakers listed below have or will have New Zealand Derby markets available. The race is run in early March, so expect to find all-in markets available throughout the summer months.
Our top bookmakers know the importance of framing international markets early, so expect to see the NZ Derby in the futures list throughout the year.
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Latest New Zealand Derby news
New Zealand Derby statistics
In 1987, Accountant was first past the post in the NZ Derby before Satisfy was handed the race through protest.
So Casual holds the race record time with a time of 2:24.80 set back in 1998 with only Sherwood Forest getting close in the 21st century when posting a time of 2:26.77 in 2020.
Since 2000, three jockeys have claimed a win in the New Zealand Derby on three seperate occasions. Craig Grylls (2019, 2021 & 2024), Michael Walker (2020, 2014 & 2010) and Vincent Colgan (2016, 2013 & 2007) have achieved the feat, whilst Opie Bosson, Scott Seamer and Michael Coleman has won the race twice each in that time.
Without a doubt the Group 2 Avondale Guineas is the best lead up race to the New Zealand Derby. Seven of the last 13 Avondale Guineas winners have gone on to win the New Zealand Derby at their next start.
2025 New Zealand Derby field
HorseBetting will update this page when the 2025 New Zealand Derby final field is released.
Previous New Zealand Derby Fields
No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 
Just As Sharp Team Rogerson Ryan Elliot 16 57kg 2 Ascend The Throne Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Opie Bosson 10 57kg 3 Interlinked Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Sam Weatherley 6 57kg 4 Solidify Team Rogerson Jonathan Riddell 15 57kg 5 Renegade Rebel Cody Cole Matthew Cameron 2 57kg 6 Mosinvader Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott Warren Kennedy 4 57kg 7 Antrim Coast Stephen Marsh Per-Anders Graberg 1 57kg 8 Sinhaman Stephen Marsh Kozzi Asano 14 57kg 9 What You Wish For Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Joe Doyle 5 57kg 10 High Country Tony Pike Michael McNab 12 57kg 11 Monday Melody Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott Masa Hashizume 11 57kg 12 City Gold Ready Tony Pike Lynsey Satherley 8 57kg 13 Perfectmanz Shaun Phelan Kelly Myers 17 57kg 14 First Innings Andrew Forsman Billy Jacobson 7 57kg 15 Tranzed John Wheeler Kate Hercock 13 57kg 16 Anaroa Guy Lowry & Leah Zydenbos Lisa Allures 3 57kg 17 Orchestral Roger James & Robert Wellwood Craig Grylls 9 55kg No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Sharp ‘N’ Smart Team Rogerson Ryan Elliot 4 57kg 2 Desert Lightning Peter & Dawn Williams Vinnie Colgan 3 57kg 3 Dynastic Mark Walker Opie Bosson 10 57kg 4 Waitak Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott Jason Laking 5 57kg 5 Cruz Missile Stephen Marsh Michael McNab 2 57kg 6 Devildom Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott Craig Grylls 18 57kg 7 Opawa Jack Chrissy Bambry Sam Weatherley 12 57kg 8 Mark Twain Roger James & Robert Wellwood Warren Kennedy 6 57kg 9 Savoir Faire Mark Walker Joe Doyle 9 57kg 10 Texas Nicholas Bishara Jake Bayliss 2 57kg 11 Rockburn John Bary Jonathan Riddell 16 57kg 12 Channel Surfer Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall Masam Hashizume 7 57kg 13 Warsaw Chris Gibbs Cameron Lammas 1 57kg 14 Jaffira Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott Andrew Adkins 11 57kg 15 Andalus Stephen Marsh Kozzi Asano 13 57kg 16 Full Of Sincerity Andrew Forsman Wiremu Pinn 8 57kg 17 Dimaggio Tony Pike Sam Spratt 17 57kg 18 Savabourbon Stephen Marsh Ashvin Goindasamy 14 57kg
2024 New Zealand Derby result
1st – Orchestral (-333.33)
2nd – Antrim Coast (+1740)
3rd – Ascend The Throne (+150)
Recent New Zealand Derby runnings
- Roger James became the most successful trainer in the history of the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), but even that enormous achievement was overshadowed at Ellerslie on Saturday by the new superstar of his Cambridge stable. Orchestral became the sixth Derby winner for James, following on from Tidal Light (1986), Roysyn (1995), Zonda (1997), Hades (1999) and Silent Achiever (2012). Her win took him one ahead of the great Colin Jillings, who had previously shared the record with five. But for James, the 2024 $1 million classic was all about Orchestral. The super-talented Savabeel filly outclassed her 16 opponents by 3.75-lengths, having won the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) by three and a half lengths and the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) by four lengths in her two previous starts.
- Raging hot favourite Sharp ‘N’ Smart made good on the promise of co-trainer Graeme Rogerson as he showed all the star qualities he possesses with a superlative performance to take out the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). Raced at Te Rapa this year due to the current track renovations at traditional home Ellerslie, the Derby looked to be at the mercy of the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) runner-up after the son of Redwood stunned many with a victory in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at the track last month. That saw him installed the prohibitive favourite with regular New Zealand pilot Ryan Elliot aboard as the combination fulfilled punters wishes with a professional display. Settled in midfield by Elliot, Sharp ‘N’ Smart trucked along nicely before making a move to get handier approaching the 600m, before charging to the front rounding the home turn. Briefly challenged by Full Of Sincerity, who clung on gamely for third, Sharp ‘N’ Smart held out a late challenge from another outsider in Andalus who got within half a length but no closer at the finish.
- Twelve months after living up to expectations with a Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) favourite, Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott went back-to-back with a very different kind of triumph at Ellerslie. In contrast to their 2021 Derby hero Rocket Spade, who came into the classic as a $4.00 favourite with outstanding lead-up form under his belt, O’Sullivan and Scott were well and truly under the radar in 2022 with last-start maiden winner Asterix. But the well-related son of Tavistock rose to the occasion and came of age in spectacular style, going from last to first to land a $45.00 upset at the expense of odds-on favourite La Crique. Adding to the theme of history repeating, Asterix carried the Kelt family’s distinctive emerald green and red colours. The same silks were worn by O’Sullivan himself when he won the New Zealand Derby as a jockey with Popsy in 1993. Coincidentally, both winners clocked the exact same time of 2:27.24.
- In what is one of the tightest finish in New Zealand Derby history, it was Rocket Spade who claimed Group 1 glory. The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained colt had gone into the race off a strong performance to win the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) in his final lead-up to the feature event at Ellerslie. The extra 300m paid off in the Derby, considering Craig Grylls had the colt in last position inside the final 600m mark. With a majority of his rivals fanning wide, Grylls stuck closer to the rail in hope of a run appearing. The run came three to four horses off the fence and with a nice turn of foot, the colt quickened nicely and did enough to hold off Milford and Frontman with 0.3 lengths separating the trifecta across the line.
- A placegetter in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in the spring, the Tony Pike-trained Sherwood Forest claimed Group 1 glory in the NZ Derby. In the fastest New Zealand Derby since So Casual clocked 2:24.8 in 1998, it was Sherwood Forest who stood strongest of all. Ridden by star Melbourne-based Kiwi jockey Michael Walker, Sherwood Forest managed to upset the two race favourites Dragon Leap and Two Illicit. It was billed to be a match race between the two market elects, but it was Sherwood Forest at $13 who claimed the win by 1.25 lengths.
- The pre-race chatter heading into 2019 was all about star prospect Surely Sacred, but a boilover ensued as Crown Prosecutor saluted at odds of $81. After getting a charmed run behind the speed the Stephen Marsh runner hit the front midway down the straight and stayed on to record a huge win.
- Vin De Dance scored his most impressive win to date in New Zealand, taking out the Derby in narrow circumstances. Vin De Dance and Mongolianconquer sailed away in the stretch, powering clear of the rest of the 18-horse field and fighting a two-horse war to the finish. After a desperate battle where the lead changed with every bob of the head, Vin De Dance prevailed by a nose.
- Kiwi racing favourite Gingernuts was a hot favourite heading into the 2017 New Zealand Derby and under a perfect ride from Opie Bosson, the popular runner delivered. Coming wide into the straight Bosson straightened the galloper up beautifully and he did the rest, striding away strongly for a powerful win.
- Tony Pike lined up Rangipo to win the 2016 NZ Derby. The son of Stryker was one of the more fancied runners leading into the race ($4.80) and it just held on in a dramatic finish. The Stephen McKee-trained What’s The Story was storming home along the inside, but Rangipo had stolen a big enough break on the field after battling with Raghu down the Ellerslie straight. The form out of the race has been good with the likes of Capella, Tavago and Humidor finishing in behind the winner.
- The 2015 edition was one of the best to date with two champion thoroughbreds clearing out ahead of the field. Mongolian Khan proved too good on the day by holding out multiple group one winner Volkstok’n’barrell. Mongolian Khan drew away from its rival to score by a length with the third-placed runner Sound Proposition finishing a further 5.5 lengths back. Mongolian Khan would subsequently win the Caulfield Cup and Sound Proposition would later be stripped of its placing due to high levels of a banned substance.
- Puccini burst onto the scene with a two length romp in 2014. The McKay-trained son of Encosta de Lago never looked like getting beaten with Michael Walker in the saddle as it kicked away for an impressive win over a quality field. In second was the highly-touted Rising Romance which would later win races in Australia and although Puccini didn’t continue to perform at the highest level, it proved a handy horse to have in the stable.
- All the talk in the 2013 New Zealand Derby was about two horses; Castlzeberg and Habibi, with the latter prevailing over the 2400m. The Donna and Dean Logan-trained filly had excellent form leading into the race and punters left the track happy after taking the value odds of $3. The daughter of Ekraar showed its brilliance by beating Fix with Castlzeberg finishing in third. Habibi would later encounter injury troubles before being sold to American interests where it had moderate success and Castlzeberg was solid to OTI Racing, but it never amounted to anything.
- Trainer Roger James and jockey James McDonald teamed up to win with Silent Achiever. The three-year-old filly by O’Reilly scored an impressive 2.5-length victory over the well-performed Rock ‘n’ Pop and Carrick. Punters were bang on the money with Silent Achiever paying $2.10 with bookmakers and it would later have great success in Australia. The 2012 edition was the most recent NZ Derby to be run on rain-affected ground.
Past New Zealand Derby winners list
| New Zealand Derby Past Winners | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2024 | Orchestral | Craig Grylls | Roger James & Robert Wellwood |
| 2023 | Sharp ‘N’ Smart | Ryan Elliot | Team Rogerson |
| 2022 | Asterix | Jonathan Parkes | Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott |
| 2021 | Rocket Spade | Craig Grylls | Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott |
| 2020 | Sherwood Forest | Michael Walker | Tony Pike |
| 2019 | Crown Prosecutor | Craig Grylls | Stephen Marsh |
| 2018 | Vin De Dance | Jason Waddell | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman |
| 2017 | Gingernuts | Opie Bosson | Stephen Autridge |
| 2016 | Rangipo | Vincent Colgan | Tony Pike |
| 2015 | Mongolian Khan | Opie Bosson | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman |
| 2014 | Puccini | Michael Walker | Peter McKay |
| 2013 | Habibi | Vincent Colgan | Donna & Dean Logan |
| 2012 | Silent Achiever | James McDonald | Roger James |
| 2011 | Jimmy Choux | Jonathan Riddell | John Bary |
| 2010 | Military Move | Michael Walker | Shaune Ritchie |
| 2009 | Coniston Bluebird | Scott Seamer | Bede Murray |
| 2008 | C’est La Guerre | David Walker | Kevin Myers |
| 2007 | Redoute’s Dancer | Vincent Colgan | Tim Martin |
| 2006 | Wahid | Leith Inness | Allan Sharrock |
| 2005 | Race Not Held | ||
| 2004 | Xcellent | Michael Coleman | Michael Moroney & Andrew Scott |
| 2003 | Cut The Cake | Michael Coleman | Michael Moroney & Andrew Scott |
| 2002 | St Reims | Greg Childs | Chris McNab |
| 2001 | Leica Guv | Scott Seamer | Jeff McVean |
| 2000 | Hail | Noel Harris | Bruce Marsh |
New Zealand Derby Past Winners Pre 2000
| New Zealand Derby Past Winners Pre 2000 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Horse | ||
| 1999 | Hades | ||
| 1998 | So Casual | ||
| 1997 | Zonda | ||
| 1996 | Great Command | ||
| 1995 | Roysyn | ||
| 1994 | Look Who’s Talking | ||
| 1993 | Popsy | ||
| 1992 | The Phantom Chance | ||
| 1991 | Cavallieri | ||
| 1990 | Surfers Paradise | ||
| 1989 | Castletown | ||
| 1988 | The Gentry | ||
| 1987 | Satisfy | ||
| 1986 | Tidal Light | ||
| 1985 | Bonecrusher | ||
| 1984 | Jolly Jake | ||
| 1983 | I’m Henry | ||
| 1982 | Our Flight | ||
| 1981 | Isle Of Man | ||
| 1980 | Ring The Bell | ||
| 1979 | Ruling Lad | ||
| 1978 | Kaiser | ||
| 1977 | Uncle Remus | ||
| 1976 | Silver Lad | ||
| 1975 | Balmerino | ||
| 1974 | Mansingh | ||
| 1973 | Furys Order | ||
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