Harness racing in New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Harness racing in New Zealand is more often called trotting in the "old school" rather than the more fashionable name of "harness racing". The sport is long standing with events being held as early as 1864. In New Zealand trotting as a sport involves both pacing and trotting
competitions for Standardbred racehorses.
The New South Wales bred, Lawn Derby, racing un-hoppled, was the first pacer to break the two-minute barrier in Australia or New Zealand when he recorded 1:59.4 at the Addington track in New Zealand in 1938.
From these early stages, the sport has developed with top races and top horses from then right up to the present day.
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In New Zealand
the richest and most important race is the New Zealand Trotting Cup
, run for older pacers in November at Addington. Other major races include the Auckland Trotting Cup
as well as the Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile
and the New Zealand Messenger Championship
for four year olds. There are also the New Zealand Derby and the Great Northern Derby for three year olds, and the Dominion Handicap
and Rowe Cup
for trotters. The Harness Jewels raceday (the end-of year championships for two, three and four year olds) takes place in late May or early June
A marquee event is the annual series which takes place between New Zealand
and Australia
called the Inter Dominion
. The series, which includes a pacing series and a trotting series, is held yearly and rotated around the Australian State Controlling Bodies and once every four years the Inter Dominion
Championships are held in New Zealand.
racing differs from North America
n racing in that metric
distances are used, generally above the equivalent of one mile and horses are classed by how many wins they have. Another large difference is that in New Zealand
racing the leader does not have to hand up the lead to any horse that challenges, often leaving a horse parked outside the leader in the "death seat", "the death", or "facing the breeze", as this horse covers more ground than the leader. New Zealand racing generally has more horses in each race, a field of 12 or 13 is not uncommon. This generally means that with the smaller tracks a "three wide train" starts as the field gets the bell at signal their final lap. There is a system of an 'open lane' or 'passing lane' ('sprint lane' in Australia). These lanes do not operate on all tracks and have been a point of argument between many industry participants. Many horses are able to easily "cross the Tasman
" to Australia, as the rules are similar.
. He was taken there in 1956 by his owner, J. S. Shaw, won 11 races and was later leased to American interests.
In 1960 Caduceus
was the first New Zealand pacer to compete in the Yonkers International Series
with his trainer-driver, J. D. Litten. Despite his nine years, Caduceus showed he was the equal of the top American horses, winning the last race of the series, only to be disqualified. He also was leased to American interests and at 10 years of age was still winning races.
False Step
was driven in the Yonkers International series during the 1960–61 season by his trainer C C Devine. False Step's performances showed he was one of the greatest pacers in the world. He beat the acknowledged American champion, Adios Butler
, in a 1½ mile race. He was sold in America for 115,000 dollars, the fifth highest price paid for a pacer in the United States.
Arania also entered the series with False Step. She did not do well, but after being leased won several races and proved she was able to race with the best in America, and in fact created a record of 1 min 57 sec for 1 mile in the Lexington Red Mile.
In 1964, Cardigan Bay
was to travel to America with reinsman Stanley Dancer
, who paid 100,000 dollars for the horse. Cardigan Bay was already an established racehorse in New Zealand, having won the 1963 New Zealand Trotting Cup
and other top races in Australia and New Zealand. He went on to win over a million dollars in the United States, the first harness horse ever to do so.
Trot (horse gait)
The trot is a two-beat diagonal gait of the horse, where the diagonal pairs of legs move forward at the same time. There is a moment of suspension between each beat....
competitions for Standardbred racehorses.
History
Trotting races were held as part of the programme of some of the galloping meetings in the Otago Southland area as early as 1864. The first totalisators were introduced about this time. They faced opposition from a curious alliance of bookmakers and anti-gambling factions but were approved by the Clubs and licensed by the Colonial Secretary. The first trotting race on a racecourse in Canterbury, in 1875, before the totalisator was introduced, the stake was only about a "tenner" (£10), but the match created a lot of interest. About 1880, Lower Heathcote Racing Club was founded, supporting gallops, but added trotting events to its programme, giving smaller stakes. Some years later the club discontinued gallops and became the Lower Heathcote Trotting Club, which gave stakes ranging from £15 to £35.The New South Wales bred, Lawn Derby, racing un-hoppled, was the first pacer to break the two-minute barrier in Australia or New Zealand when he recorded 1:59.4 at the Addington track in New Zealand in 1938.
From these early stages, the sport has developed with top races and top horses from then right up to the present day.
Major races
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
the richest and most important race is the New Zealand Trotting Cup
New Zealand Trotting Cup
The New Zealand Trotting Cup or New Zealand Cup is a Group One harness race held annually by the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club at Addington Raceway in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is considered the country's most prestigious harness racing event. the prize was NZ$750,000, the largest prize for a...
, run for older pacers in November at Addington. Other major races include the Auckland Trotting Cup
Auckland Trotting Cup
The Auckland Trotting Cup or Auckland Cup is a race held at Alexandra Park in March in Auckland, New Zealand for Standardbred horses. It is one of two major harness races, along with the New Zealand Cup, held in New Zealand each year. It is notable as it is a Group 1 championship race over...
as well as the Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile
Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile
The Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile is a Group One event for 4 year old pacing horses in New Zealand. It is held over the distance of 1700 metres once a year at Alexandra Park, Auckland, New Zealand...
and the New Zealand Messenger Championship
New Zealand Messenger Championship
The New Zealand Messenger Championship is a Group One event for 4 year old pacing horses in New Zealand. Run at Alexandra Park in early May, it is the most prestigious 4 year-old race in New Zealand, and a key guide to feature races in the following season like the New Zealand Trotting Cup.-Other...
for four year olds. There are also the New Zealand Derby and the Great Northern Derby for three year olds, and the Dominion Handicap
Dominion Handicap
The Dominion is a race held at the Addington Raceway each year in Christchurch, New Zealand for standardbred horses. It was worth $300,000, but in line with the economic conditions, it was cut back to $200,000 in 2010. The race is run in November over a distance of 3200 m on the Friday...
and Rowe Cup
Rowe Cup
The Rowe Cup is a race held annually in May at Alexandra Park, Auckland, New Zealand for standardbred horses. Worth $300,000 and run over a distance of 3200 m, it is one of the major harness races for trotters rather than pacers.-Other major races:...
for trotters. The Harness Jewels raceday (the end-of year championships for two, three and four year olds) takes place in late May or early June
A marquee event is the annual series which takes place between New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
called the Inter Dominion
Inter Dominion
The Inter Dominion is a harness racing competition that has been contested since 1936 in Australia and New Zealand. The host of the series is rotated between the six harness racing states of Australia and the North and South Islands of New Zealand...
. The series, which includes a pacing series and a trotting series, is held yearly and rotated around the Australian State Controlling Bodies and once every four years the Inter Dominion
Inter Dominion
The Inter Dominion is a harness racing competition that has been contested since 1936 in Australia and New Zealand. The host of the series is rotated between the six harness racing states of Australia and the North and South Islands of New Zealand...
Championships are held in New Zealand.
Racing rules
New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
racing differs from North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n racing in that metric
Metric system
The metric system is an international decimalised system of measurement. France was first to adopt a metric system, in 1799, and a metric system is now the official system of measurement, used in almost every country in the world...
distances are used, generally above the equivalent of one mile and horses are classed by how many wins they have. Another large difference is that in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
racing the leader does not have to hand up the lead to any horse that challenges, often leaving a horse parked outside the leader in the "death seat", "the death", or "facing the breeze", as this horse covers more ground than the leader. New Zealand racing generally has more horses in each race, a field of 12 or 13 is not uncommon. This generally means that with the smaller tracks a "three wide train" starts as the field gets the bell at signal their final lap. There is a system of an 'open lane' or 'passing lane' ('sprint lane' in Australia). These lanes do not operate on all tracks and have been a point of argument between many industry participants. Many horses are able to easily "cross the Tasman
Tasman Sea
The Tasman Sea is the large body of water between Australia and New Zealand, approximately across. It extends 2,800 km from north to south. It is a south-western segment of the South Pacific Ocean. The sea was named after the Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman, the first recorded European...
" to Australia, as the rules are similar.
United States and Canada
The association with trotting in New Zealand and the United States has always been strong, with much of the breeding stock coming from America. Particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, New Zealand horses competed in both Canada and the United States. The first New Zealand horse to be raced in America by a New Zealander was the trotter Vodka, the winner of the 1953 Dominion HandicapDominion Handicap
The Dominion is a race held at the Addington Raceway each year in Christchurch, New Zealand for standardbred horses. It was worth $300,000, but in line with the economic conditions, it was cut back to $200,000 in 2010. The race is run in November over a distance of 3200 m on the Friday...
. He was taken there in 1956 by his owner, J. S. Shaw, won 11 races and was later leased to American interests.
In 1960 Caduceus
Caduceus (horse)
Caduceus was a New Zealand bred Standardbred racehorse. Caduceus is notable for winning the 1960 Inter Dominion Trotting Championship, trotting's premiership event in Australia and New Zealand, from a handicap of 36 yards, in front of a world record crowd...
was the first New Zealand pacer to compete in the Yonkers International Series
Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers Raceway, founded in 1899 as the Empire City Race Track, is a one-half-mile standardbred harness racing dirt track and New York state-approved slots racino located at the intersection of Central Park Avenue and Yonkers Avenue in Yonkers, New York near the New York City border...
with his trainer-driver, J. D. Litten. Despite his nine years, Caduceus showed he was the equal of the top American horses, winning the last race of the series, only to be disqualified. He also was leased to American interests and at 10 years of age was still winning races.
False Step
False Step
False Step was a New Zealand Standardbred racehorse. He is notable in that he won three New Zealand Trotting Cupraces, the richest harness race, and sometimes the richest horse race in New Zealand...
was driven in the Yonkers International series during the 1960–61 season by his trainer C C Devine. False Step's performances showed he was one of the greatest pacers in the world. He beat the acknowledged American champion, Adios Butler
Adios Butler
The horse Adios Butler, also known as "The Butler" , was a North American harness racing champion.Sired by the great Standardbred Adios with an obscure broodmare named Debby Hanover, Adios Butler was trained and driven by Clint Hodgins...
, in a 1½ mile race. He was sold in America for 115,000 dollars, the fifth highest price paid for a pacer in the United States.
Arania also entered the series with False Step. She did not do well, but after being leased won several races and proved she was able to race with the best in America, and in fact created a record of 1 min 57 sec for 1 mile in the Lexington Red Mile.
In 1964, Cardigan Bay
Cardigan Bay (horse)
Cardigan Bay was a New Zealand Harness racing horse foaled 1 September 1956. Affectionately known as "Cardy", he was the first Standardbred to win US$1 million in prize money in North America. He was the ninth horse worldwide to win one million dollars,...
was to travel to America with reinsman Stanley Dancer
Stanley Dancer
Stanley Franklin Dancer was an American harness racing driver and trainer. He was the only horsemen to drive and train three Triple Crowns in horse racing. In total, he drove 23 Triple Crown winners. He was the first trainer to campaign a horse to $1 million in a career, Cardigan Bay in 1968 and...
, who paid 100,000 dollars for the horse. Cardigan Bay was already an established racehorse in New Zealand, having won the 1963 New Zealand Trotting Cup
New Zealand Trotting Cup
The New Zealand Trotting Cup or New Zealand Cup is a Group One harness race held annually by the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club at Addington Raceway in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is considered the country's most prestigious harness racing event. the prize was NZ$750,000, the largest prize for a...
and other top races in Australia and New Zealand. He went on to win over a million dollars in the United States, the first harness horse ever to do so.
List of major races
| Name | Distance | Current Value | Winners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland Trotting Cup Auckland Trotting Cup The Auckland Trotting Cup or Auckland Cup is a race held at Alexandra Park in March in Auckland, New Zealand for Standardbred horses. It is one of two major harness races, along with the New Zealand Cup, held in New Zealand each year. It is notable as it is a Group 1 championship race over... |
2700 m | $600,000 | Winners |
| Dominion Handicap Dominion Handicap The Dominion is a race held at the Addington Raceway each year in Christchurch, New Zealand for standardbred horses. It was worth $300,000, but in line with the economic conditions, it was cut back to $200,000 in 2010. The race is run in November over a distance of 3200 m on the Friday... |
3200 m | $200,000 | Winners |
| Great Northern Derby | 2700 m | $600,000 | Winners |
| New Zealand Trotting Derby New Zealand Trotting Derby The New Zealand Derby is a classic event in New Zealand for 3 year old harness horses, run at Addington during the autumn.-History:Formerly called New Brighton Derby Stakes from 1914 to 1925, the race was conducted by the New Brighton Trotting Cub and decided in the Autumn. In 1925, it was taken... |
2700 m | $300,000 | Winners |
| New Zealand Free For All New Zealand Free For All The New Zealand Pacing Free For All is a major New Zealand harness race. It is notable as it is a Group One championship sprint race and has been won by nearly every champion pacer in New Zealand. It was valued at $300,000, but was reduced to $200,000 due to economic pressures... |
2000 m | $200,000 | Winners |
| New Zealand Messenger | 2700 m | $200,000 | Winners |
| New Zealand Sires Stakes | 1950 m | $200,000 | Winners |
| New Zealand Trotting Cup New Zealand Trotting Cup The New Zealand Trotting Cup or New Zealand Cup is a Group One harness race held annually by the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club at Addington Raceway in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is considered the country's most prestigious harness racing event. the prize was NZ$750,000, the largest prize for a... |
3200 m | $750,000 | Winners |
| Noel J Taylor Mile | 1700 m | $100,000 | Winners |
| Rowe Cup Rowe Cup The Rowe Cup is a race held annually in May at Alexandra Park, Auckland, New Zealand for standardbred horses. Worth $300,000 and run over a distance of 3200 m, it is one of the major harness races for trotters rather than pacers.-Other major races:... |
3200 m | $300,000 | Winners |
Horse races
| Race | Date | Club | Grade | Type | Stake | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avon City Ford Cup | Sep | NZ Metro | Listed | Open Pace | $20,000 | |||||
| Ordeal Cup | Sep | NZ Metro | Listed | Open Trot | $20,000 | |||||
| Sep | Oamaru | Group 3 | Open Pace | $55,000 | Spring Cup | Sep | Auckland | Listed | Open Pace | $25,000 |
| Superstars Champs | Oct | NZ Metro | Group 2 | 4YO Pace | $50,000 | |||||
| Searells Classic | Oct | NZ Metro | Group 3 | Open Pace | $30,000 | |||||
| D G Jones Trotting Cup | Oct | Banks Pen | Group 3 | Open Trot | $35,000 | |||||
| Kumeu Founders Cup | Oct | Kumeu | Group 3 | Open Pace | $30,000 | |||||
| Canterbury Park Trotting Cup | Oct | NZ Metro | Group 3 | Open Trot | $30,000 | |||||
| Methven Cup | Oct | Methven | Listed | Open Pace | $25,000 | |||||
| Ashburton Flying Stakes | Oct | Ashburton | Group 2 | Open Pace | $75,000 | |||||
| Ashburton Trotters Flying Mile | Oct | Ashburton | Group 3 | Open Trot | $40,000 | |||||
| Kaikoura Cup | Nov | Kaikoura | Group 2 | Open Pace | $60,000 | |||||
| Handicap Trot | Nov | Kaikoura | Listed | Open Trot | $30,000 | |||||
| New Zealand Sires Stakes | Nov | NZ Metro | Group 1 | 3YO Pace | $300,000 | |||||
| New Zealand Trotting Cup New Zealand Trotting Cup The New Zealand Trotting Cup or New Zealand Cup is a Group One harness race held annually by the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club at Addington Raceway in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is considered the country's most prestigious harness racing event. the prize was NZ$750,000, the largest prize for a... |
Nov | NZ Metro | Group 1 | Open Pace | $750,000 | |||||
| NZ Free-For-All | Nov | NZ Metro | Group 3 | Open Pace | $50,000 | |||||
| Discretionary Trot | Nov | NZ Metro | Listed | Open Trot | $25,000 | |||||
| New Zealand Free For All New Zealand Free For All The New Zealand Pacing Free For All is a major New Zealand harness race. It is notable as it is a Group One championship sprint race and has been won by nearly every champion pacer in New Zealand. It was valued at $300,000, but was reduced to $200,000 due to economic pressures... |
Nov | NZ Metro | Group 1 | Open Pace | $200,000 | |||||
| New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All | Nov | NZ Metro | Group 1 | Open Trot | $100,000 | |||||
| Dominion Handicap Dominion Handicap The Dominion is a race held at the Addington Raceway each year in Christchurch, New Zealand for standardbred horses. It was worth $300,000, but in line with the economic conditions, it was cut back to $200,000 in 2010. The race is run in November over a distance of 3200 m on the Friday... |
Nov | NZ Metro | Group 1 | Open Trot | $200,000 | |||||
| Pak'N Save Franklin Cup | Nov | Franklin | Group 2 | Open Pace | $80,000 | |||||
| Ladyship Stakes | Dec | Auckland | Group 2 | 3YO Fillies Pace | $70,000 | |||||
| Lyell Creek Stakes | Dec | Auckland | Group 2 | Open Trot | $50,000 | |||||
| Northern 4YO Breeders Stakes | Dec | Auckland | Group 3 | 4YO Mares Pace | $40,000 | |||||
| Northern Stakes | Dec | Auckland | Listed | 3YO Pace | $25,000 | |||||
| Queen Of Hearts | Dec | Auckland | Group 1 | Mares Pace | $100,000 | |||||
| Elsu Classic | Dec | Auckland | Group 2 | 3YO Pace | $70,000 | |||||
| Trotters Flying Mile | Dec | Cambridge | Group 2 | Open Trot | $55,000 | |||||
| Sires Stakes Fillies Final | Dec | Auckland | Group 1 | 3YO Fillies Pace | $150,000 | |||||
| National Trot | Dec | Auckland | Group 1 | Open Trot | $100,000 | |||||
| Manukau Summer Cup | Dec | Auckland | Group 3 | Open Pace | $45,000 | |||||
| 3YO Open | Dec | Auckland | Listed | 3YO Pace | $200,000 | |||||
| Flying Mile | Jan | Cambridge | Group 2 | Open Pace | $75,000 | |||||
| Trotting Cup FFA | Jan | Cen Otago | Listed | Open Pace | $25,000 | |||||
| Flying Stakes | Jan | Cambridge | Listed | Open Trot | $30,000 | |||||
| Cambridge 4YO Classic | Jan | Cambridge | Group 3 | 4YO Pace | $40,000 | |||||
| Waikato Guineas | Jan | Cambridge | Listed | 3YO Pace | $27,500 | |||||
| Southland Cup | Jan | North South | Group 3 | Open Pace | $55,000 | |||||
| 4YO Futurity Stakes | Jan | Cambridge | Group 2 | 4YO Pace | $60,000 | |||||
| Te Awamutu Juvenile Stake | Jan | Cambridge | Listed | 2YO Pace | $25,000 | |||||
| 4YO Classic | Jan | Marlborough | Group 2 | 4YO Pace | $50,000 | |||||
| Caduceus Club Mares Championship | Jan | NZ Metro | Group 2 | Mares Pace | $50,000 | |||||
| Fillies Pace | Jan | NZ Metro | Listed | 3YO Fillies Pace | $125,000 | |||||
| FFA Mobile | Jan | NZ Metro | Listed | Open Pace | $75,000 | |||||
| 4YO Championship | Feb | Forbury | Group 3 | 4YO Pace | $30,000 | |||||
| NZ Sapling Stakes | Feb | Ashburton | Group 3 | 2YO Pace | $30,000 | |||||
| Hambletonian Classic | Feb | Ashburton | Group 3 | 3YO Trot | $30,000 | |||||
| NZ Breeders Stakes | Feb | NZ Metro | Group 1 | F & M Pace | $100,000 | |||||
| City Of Auckland FFA | Feb | Auckland | Group 2 | Open Pace | $60,000 | |||||
| Northern Oaks | Feb | Auckland | Group 1 | 3YO Fillies Pace | $200,000 | |||||
| NZ Kindergarten Stakes | Feb | Wyndham | Group 3 | 2YO Pace | $30,000 | |||||
| Great Northern Derby Great Northern Derby The Great Northern Derby is a harness racing event for 3 year old standardbreds. It is a major event for 3 year old colts and geldings in New Zealand. It is run at Alexandra Park in Auckland, on the same night as the Auckland Cup in early March... |
Mar | Auckland | Group 1 | 3YO Pace | $600,000 | |||||
| Auckland Trotting Cup Auckland Trotting Cup The Auckland Trotting Cup or Auckland Cup is a race held at Alexandra Park in March in Auckland, New Zealand for Standardbred horses. It is one of two major harness races, along with the New Zealand Cup, held in New Zealand each year. It is notable as it is a Group 1 championship race over... |
Mar | Auckland | Group 1 | Open Pace | $600,000 | |||||
| Cardigan Bay Stakes | Mar | Auckland | Group 2 | 2YO Pace | $50,000 | |||||
| City of Sails FFA | Mar | Auckland | Group 3 | Open Trot | $40,000 | |||||
| Delightful Lady Classic | Mar | Auckland | Listed | 2YO Fillies Pace | $25,000 | |||||
| Stakes | Mar | Cheviot | Group 3 | 2YO Fillies Pace | $30,000 | |||||
| 3YO Trot | Mar | Rangiora | Listed | 3YO Trot | $60,000 | |||||
| Invercargill Cup | Mar | Invercargill | Group 3 | Open Pace | $55,000 | |||||
| Canterbury Country Cups Final | Mar | NZ Metro | Feature | Open Pace | $30,000 | |||||
| NZ Trotting Derby | Mar | NZ Metro | Group 1 | 3YO Trot | $100,000 | |||||
| Flying Stakes | Mar | NZ Metro | Group 2 | 3YO Pace | $50,000 | |||||
| 4YO Trotters Champ | Mar | NZ Metro | Group 3 | 4YO Trot | $30,000 | |||||
| New Zealand Trotting Derby New Zealand Trotting Derby The New Zealand Derby is a classic event in New Zealand for 3 year old harness horses, run at Addington during the autumn.-History:Formerly called New Brighton Derby Stakes from 1914 to 1925, the race was conducted by the New Brighton Trotting Cub and decided in the Autumn. In 1925, it was taken... |
Apr | NZ Metro | Group 1 | 3YO Pace | $300,000 | |||||
| NZ Trotting Champs | Apr | NZ Metro | Group 1 | Open Trot | $100,000 | |||||
| Fillies Classic | Apr | Auckland | Group 1 | 2YO Fillies Pace | $110,000 | |||||
| NZ Trotting Oaks | Apr | NZ Metro | Group 3 | 3YO Fillies Trot | $30,000 | |||||
| Free-For-All | Apr | NZ Metro | Group 3 | Open Pace | $30,000 | |||||
| Fillies Classic | Apr | North South | Listed | 2YO Pace | $25,000 | |||||
| Easter Cup | Apr | NZ Metro | Group 1 | Open Pace | $100,000 | |||||
| Welcome Stakes | Apr | NZ Metro | Group 1 | 2YO Pace | $100,000 | |||||
| North Island Country Cups Final | Apr | Auckland | Feature | Open Pace | $30,000 | |||||
| Noel J Taylor Mile | Apr | Auckland | Group 1 | 4YO Pace | $100,000 | |||||
| Sires Stakes Trotters Championship | Apr | Auckland | Group 2 | 3YO Trot | $80,000 | |||||
| Morrinsville Juvenile Stakes | Apr | Moriinsville | Listed | 2YO Pace | $30,000 | |||||
| 2YO Fillies | Apr | Auckland | Listed | 2YO Fillies Pace | $150,000 | |||||
| New Zealand Messenger | May | Auckland | Group 1 | 4YO Pace | $200,000 | |||||
| NZ Sires Stakes Fillies Champs | May | Auckland | Group 1 | 2YO Fillies Pace | $150,000 | |||||
| Rowe Cup Rowe Cup The Rowe Cup is a race held annually in May at Alexandra Park, Auckland, New Zealand for standardbred horses. Worth $300,000 and run over a distance of 3200 m, it is one of the major harness races for trotters rather than pacers.-Other major races:... |
May | Auckland | Group 1 | Open Trot | $300,000 | |||||
| Northern Trotting Derby | May | Auckland | Group 1 | 3YO Trot | $100,000 | |||||
| NZ Trotting Stakes | May | NZ Metro | Group 3 | 2YO Trot | $30,000 | |||||
| Southern Country Cups Final | May | Invercargill | Feature | Open Pace | $35,000 | |||||
| Southland Oaks | May | Invercargill | Group 2 | 3YO Fillies Pace | $50,000 | |||||
| Southern Supremacy Stakes | May | Invercargill | Group 2 | 3YO C & G Pace | $50,000 | |||||
| Rangiora Classic | May | Rangiora | Group 3 | Open Pace | $60,000 | |||||
| Fillies Final | May | NZ Metro | Group 1 | 3YO Fillies Pace | $150,000 | |||||
| NZ Sires Stakes Trotting Championship | May | NZ Metro | Group 2 | 2YO Trot | $60,000 | |||||
| Yearling Sales 2YO Open | May | NZ Metro | Listed | 2YO Pace | $200,000 | |||||
| Cambridge 3YO Trotting Stakes | May | Cambridge | Listed | 3YO Trot | $25,000 | |||||
| Memorial NZ Oaks | May | NZ Metro | Group 1 | 3YO Fillies Pace | $150,000 | |||||
| NZ Sires Stakes Final | May | NZ Metro | Group 1 | 2YO Pace | $200,000 | |||||
| Kumeu Stakes | May | Auckland | Group 3 | 4YO Pace | $30,000 | |||||
| Winter Cup | May | NZ Metro | Listed | Open Pace | $25,000 | |||||
| NI Breeders Stakes | May | Franklin | Group 3 | F & M Pace | $30,000 | |||||
| Yearling Sales 2YO Trot | May | NZ Metro | Listed | 2YO Trot | $60,000 | |||||
| Harness Jewels 2YO Diamond | May | Ashburton | Group 1 | 2YO Fillies Pace | $200,000 | |||||
| Harness Jewels 3YO Diamond | May | Ashburton | Group 1 | 3YO Fillies Pace | $200,000 | |||||
| Harness Jewels 4YO Diamond | May | Ashburton | Group 1 | 4YO Mares Pace | $200,000 | |||||
| Harness Jewels 2YO Emerald | May | Ashburton | Group 1 | 2YO C & G Pace | $200,000 | |||||
| Harness Jewels 3YO Emerald | May | Ashburton | Group 1 | 3YO C & G Pace | $200,000 | |||||
| Harness Jewels 4YO Emerald | May | Ashburton | Group 1 | 4YO E & G Pace | $200,000 | |||||
| Harness Jewels 3YO Ruby | May | Ashburton | Group 1 | 3YO Trot | $100,000 | |||||
| Harness Jewels 4YO Ruby | May | Ashburton | Group 1 | 4YO Trot | $100,000 | |||||
| Harness Jewels 2YO Ruby | May | Ashburton | Group 2 | 2YO Trot | $100,000 | |||||
| Trotting Breeders Stakes | Jun | Auckland | Group 3 | F & M Trot | $35,000 | |||||
| Winter Cup | Jun | Auckland | Listed | Open Pace | $25,000 | |||||
| NZ Yearling Sales NHT Pace | Jun | Auckland | Listed | 2YO Pace | $100,000 | |||||
| Greenlane Cup | Jun | Auckland | Listed | Open Trot | $25,000 | |||||
| Thames Cup | Jun | Thames | Listed | Open Pace | $20,000 |
See also
- Glossary of Australian and New Zealand punting
- Harness racingHarness racingHarness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
- Harness racing in AustraliaHarness racing in AustraliaHarness racing, also colloquially known as trotting, is an important spectator sport in Australia, with large amounts of money wagered annually with bookmakers and the Totalisator Agency Board . In Australia there are 91 harness racing tracks, which hold over 1,900 meetings annually...
- Horse racingHorse racingHorse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
- Horse racing in New Zealand
- Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand