Zabeel Classic

Zabeel Classic
Group I race
LocationEllerslie Racecourse
Auckland, New Zealand
Inaugurated1985
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
SponsorCambridge Stud (2022)
WebsiteEllerslie Racecourse
Race information
Distance2000m/2050m
SurfaceTurf
TrackRight-handed
QualificationOpen
WeightWeight-for-age
PurseNZ$450,000 (2023)

The Zabeel Classic is a Group One Thoroughbred horse race run at weight-for-age over a distance of 2000 metres at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand. It is held on Boxing Day, a raceday steeped in tradition that frequently attracts in excess of 20,000 Aucklanders to the famous course.

The Zabeel Classic is named in honour of Zabeel, son of Sir Tristram and four-time New Zealand champion sire. The race was formerly known as the Auckland Classic, Oaks Stud Classic and the Japan Racing Association Classic.

List of winners

Year
 Winner
 Jockey
 Trainer(s)
 Time
Second
Third
2023 (Pukekohe)[1] Campionessa 57 Opie Bosson Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson 2:07.90 (soft, 2050m) No Compromise 59 Aquacade 57
2022 [2](Pukekohe) Defibrillate 59[3] Warren Kennedy Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall 2:05.37 (good, 2050m) Prise De Fer 59 Polly Grey 57
2021[4] Tiptronic 59[5] Ashvin Goindasamy Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall 2:05.15 (dead) Vernanme 59 Two Illicit 57
2020[6] Concert Hall 57 Vincent Colgan Roger James & Robert Wellwood 2:01.93 (dead) Supera 57 In A Twinkling 59
2019[7] True Enough 59 James McDonald Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman 2:01.24 (good) Fiscal Fantasy 57 Beauden 59
2018[8] Danzdanzdance 56.5 Opie Bosson Chris Gibbs & Michelle Bradley 2.08.18 (heavy) Lizzie L’Amour 57 Jon Snow 59
2017[9] Authentic Paddy 59 Trudy Thornton Lisa Latta, Awapuni 2.06.31 (dead) Lizzie L’Amour 57 Volkstok’n’barrell 59
2016[10] Consensus 57 Alysha Collett Stephen McKee 2.01.25 (good) Volkstok’n’barrell 59 Authentic Paddy 59
2015[11] Kawi 59 Leith Innes Allan Sharrock 2.04.30 (good) Stolen Dance 56.5 Authentic Paddy 59
2014[12] Soriano 57 Rory Hutchings Graeme & Debbie Rogerson 2.02.30 (good) Weregoingtogetcha 58.5 Ponderosa Miss 56.5
2013[13] Historian 59 Matthew Cameron Gary Alton 2:05.99 (dead) O’Fille 57 Soriano 56.5
2012[14] Veyron 59 Rogan Norvall Linda Laing 2:08.19 (dead) Shez Sinsational 57 Shootoff 59
2011[15] Shez Sinsational 56.5 James McDonald Allan Sharrock 2:02.34 (good) Veyron 59 Doctor Freemantle 59
2010[16] Booming 59 Vincent Colgan Jeff Lynds 2:04.02 (good) Red Ruler 59 Ginga Dude 59
2009[17] [18] Vosne Romanee 59 Matthew Cameron Jeff Lynds 2:00.60 (good)

Record

Red Ruler 59 Tell A Tale 58.5
2008[19] Gallions Reach 59 Sam Spratt Richard Yuill 2:05.69 (dead) Willy Smith 59 Overkaast
2007[20] Sir Slick 59 Bruce Herd Graeme Nicholson 2:03.81 (dead) Xcellent 59 Dezigna 59
2006[21] Mikki Street Bruce Herd Lisa Latta 2:02.84 (good) Sharvasti Fiscal Madness
2005 (Dec) [22] Bazelle 56 Jason Waddell Paul Jenkins 2:03.72 (dead) Kind Return 56 Focal Point 56
2005 (Jan) [23] St Reims 58.5 Leith Innes Chris McNab 2:03.33 (good) Distinctly Secret 58.5 Lashed 57
2004 [24] Lashed 55.5 Opie Bosson Graeme Rogerson & Stephen Autridge 2:02.62 (good) Penny Gem 55.5 El Duce 58.5
2003 Hail 58.5 Greg Childs Bruce & Stephen Marsh 2:04.52 (good) Miss Potential 58 Doyle 56
2002 Giovana 57 Peter Johnson Carol Marshall 2:02.88 (good) La Bella Dama 55.5 Hill Of Grace 57
2001 Zonda 58.5 Damien Oliver Roger James 2:05.81 (dead) Giovana 58 Cronus 55
2000 Rebel 58.5 Linda Ballantyne Val Langsford 2:04.11 (good) Aerosmith 58 Integrate 58
1999 Del Coronado 58.5 Paul Taylor Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill 2:01.24 (good) All In Fun 58 Greenstone Charm 58
1998 Vialli 58.5 Shane Dye Dave & Paul O'Sullivan 2:04.49 (good) Bubble 58 Gypsy Soul 56

+ The race was moved from January to December in 2005.

Ellerslie Boxing day meeting

On this day, as well as the Zabeel Classic, Ellerslie holds 9 other races including:

  • the Newmarket Handicap - 1200m Open $90,000 (2023).
  • the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers Championship Final - 2400m special conditions $125,000 (2023)
  • the Auckland Guineas - Group 2, 1400m for 3YO horses - $225,000 (2023)
  • the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final - special conditions $110,000 (2023).
  • the Eight Carat Classic - Group 2, 1600m 3YO fillies set weight $225,000 (2023).

All 10 races at the 2023 meeting had stakes of $80,000 or more.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Race 9 CAMBRIDGE STUD ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 26 DEC 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  2. ^ "Race 9 CAMBRIDGE STUD ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 26 DEC 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  3. ^ "Brendon McCullum wins big at the Boxing Day races with Defibrillate".
  4. ^ "Race 9 CAMBRIDGE STUD ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 26 DEC 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  5. ^ "Tiptronic retired".
  6. ^ "Race 9 CAMBRIDGE STUD ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  7. ^ "Race 9 CAMBRIDGE STUD ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  8. ^ "Race 9 CAMBRIDGE STUD ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  9. ^ "Race 9 CAMBRIDGE STUD ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  10. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  11. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC (GROUP I) at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  12. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  13. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  14. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2012 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  15. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2011 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  16. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2010 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  17. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2009 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  18. ^ AAP. "Monaco flops in Zabeel Classic". The Age. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  19. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2008 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  20. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2007 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  21. ^ "Race 7 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2006 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  22. ^ "Bazelle (NZ) 1999 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  23. ^ "St Reims (NZ) 1999 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  24. ^ "Lashed (AUS) 1999 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
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