NEW ZEALAND DERBY · NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand Derby prize money
The New Zealand Derby is worth £551,125 for the 2025 running . That makes it the 127th richest of the 997 races on this site and the 1st richest in New Zealand.
The race announces its purse as NZ$1,250,000, and every figure here is that money converted. The currency control at the top swaps the whole page.
TOTAL PRIZE MONEY £551,125
AS PUBLISHED NZ$1,250,000
WORLD RANK 127th
RUNNINGS HELD 54
FIRST RUN 1875
What the New Zealand Derby is
Group I · 2,400 metres (12 furlongs) · Turf · Ellerslie Racecourse
- Racecourse
- Ellerslie Racecourse
- Country
- New Zealand
- Grade
- Group I
- Distance
- 2,400 metres (12 furlongs)
- Surface
- Turf
- Race type
- Thoroughbred, Flat racing
- Open to
- Three-year-olds
- Direction
- Right-handed
- First run
- 1875
- As published
- NZ$1,250,000
We hold the total fund for the New Zealand Derby and no separate winner's cheque. What the winner takes is a rule the racecourse sets rather than a national one, and it varies race by race.
Run in 2:31.25 in 2026, the New Zealand Derby pays £3,644 for every second of the race, which is 150th of the 611 races in horse racing prize money per second and 4th in New Zealand.
Every New Zealand Derby winner
54 runnings, 1973 to 2026, newest first
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Road To Paris2:31.25 (soft) | George Rooke | Roger James & Robert Wellwood | Ron & Judi Wanless |
| 2025 | Willydoit2:30.08 (soft) | Michael Dee | Shaun & Emma Clotworthy, Byerley Park | B G Black, Mrs E L Clotworthy & MyRacehorse Pty Ltd |
| 2024 | Orchestral2:26.79 (good) | Craig Grylls | Roger James & Robert Wellwood | Colin & Helen Litt |
| 2023 | Sharp 'N' Smart2:29.47 (Te Rapa, good) | Ryan Elliot | Team Rogerson | Graeme Rogerson, Todd Bawden, C A Leishman, NZ Thoroughbred Holdings Ltd, M & M Butterworth & M B Wadd |
| 2022 | Asterix2:27.24 (good) | Johnathan Parkes | Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott | D & B Kelt, A & L Scott & Mark Greatbatch |
| 2021 | Rocket Spade2:35.51 (soft) | Craig Grylls | Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott | Hermitage Thoroughbreds Pty Limited |
| 2020 | Sherwood Forest2:26.77 | Michael Walker | Tony Pike | Goodson & Perron Family Trust, Calder Bloodstock Ltd & Deborah Martin |
| 2019 | Crown Prosecutor2:28.17 | Craig Grylls | Stephen Marsh | Huntingdale Lodge 2012 Ltd (Mgr: Harvey Green) & Jml Bloodstock Ltd (Mgr: L Petagna) |
| 2018 | Vin De Dance2:28.44 | Jason Waddell | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | OTI Racing (Mgr: T Henderson), L Muollo & Kilted Taniwha Syndicate |
| 2017 | Gingernuts2:28.27 | Opie Bosson | Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards | Te Akau Gingernuts Syndicate |
| 2016 | Rangipo2:28.89 | Vincent Colgan | Tony Pike | John & Margaret Thompson |
| 2015 | Mongolian Khan2:28.40 | Opie Bosson | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry |
| 2014 | Puccini2:28.39 | Michael Walker | Peter & Jacob McKay | Monovale Holdings Ltd |
| 2013 | Habibi2:27.58 | Vincent Colgan | Donna & Dean Logan | Mrs Heather & Peter Crofskey & Mrs P A McIntyre |
| 2012 | Silent Achiever2:33.55 | James McDonald | Roger James | K J Hickman |
| 2011 | Jimmy Choux2:38.35 | Jonathan Riddell | John Bary | Chouxmaani Investments Ltd. |
| 2010 | Military Move2:27.91 | Michael Walker | Shaune Ritchie | Steven Lo |
| 2009 | Coniston Bluebird2:31.04 | Scott Seamer | Bede Murray | Murray Livestock, J O'Brien, J & R Standford & J Wilson |
| 2008 | C'est La Guerre2:33.47 | David Walker | Kevin Myers, Wanganui | K Barker, JNW Brookes, DA Gascoigne & KT Myers |
| 2007 | Redoute's Dancer2:27.24 (good) | Vincent Colgan | Tim Martin, Rosehill | P. Silvestro |
| 2006 | Wahid2:27.42 (good) | Leith Innes | Allan Sharrock | Noel H. & Ron T. Stanley |
| 2005 | - | - | - | - |
| 2004 | Xcellent2:32.01 | Michael Coleman | Michael Moroney | G W Breingan, G K V Holdings Ltd, M J Gatt, P A Heath, D A Nicholson & Wellington Racing Syndicate |
| 2003 | Cut the Cake2:28.88 | Michael Coleman | Michael Moroney & Andrew Scott | N M Anderson, G W Breingan, G J N Jaggaer, T T Manning, Paul Moroney & A P Ramsden |
| 2002 | St Reims2:28.57 (good) | Greg Childs | Chris McNab | Rob McAnulty et al. |
| 2001 | Leica Guv2:28.98 (good) | Scott Seamer | Jeff McVean | R A and Mrs R J Scarborough |
| 2000 | Hail2:32.27 (good) | Noel Harris | Bruce Marsh | Alistair Cunningham & Bruce Marsh |
| 1999 | Hades2:27.57 | Vincent Colgan | Roger James, Matamata | Mrs F E & R A Dixon |
| 1998 | So Casual 55.52:24.80 (good) | Damien Oliver | Ross Taylor | G C P Beadel et al. |
| 1997 | Zonda 55.52:31.58 (good) | Vincent Colgan | Roger James | Hundalee Derby Syndicate |
| 1996 | Great Command2:27.97 | Darren Beadman | Michael Moroney, Matamata | H J & J Chan, R R McAnulty & D Tsang |
| 1995 | Roysyn 55.52:30.10 (good) | Vincent Colgan | Roger James | Mrs B P & J B Harvey |
| 1994 | Look Who's Talking2:28.18 | Grant Cooksley | Nigel Tiley | Unifaith Limited |
| 1993 | Popsy 532:27.24 | Lance O'Sullivan | Dave & Paul O'Sullivan | Barnaby & Co Ltd |
| 1992 | The Phantom Chance 55.52:25.98 | Robert Vance | Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill | W B Ballin |
| 1991 | Cavallieri 55.52:29.18 | Grant Cooksley | Laurie Laxon | Laurie Laxon, S Shew & F & Mrs Z Sing |
| 1990 | Surfers Paradise2:28.02 | Lance O'Sullivan | Dave & Paul O'Sullivan | F Cheung, K Chong, G Fong & J D Smith |
| 1989 | Castletown2:29.28 | Bruce Compton | Patrick Busuttin | Patrick Busuttin, Barney McCahill & K P Morris |
| 1988 | The Gentry 55.52:27.49 (good) | Greg Childs | Ray & Kerry Verner | L W Davis, H Keith Haub, P J Walker & Haunui Farm |
| 1987 | Satisfy 55.5 (²)2:35.41 Dead | Maurice Campbell | Nick Nicoloff | N D & P H Nicoloff |
| 1986 | Tidal Light2:28.63 | Grant Cooksley | Jim Gibbs and Roger James | S A Taylor |
| 1985 | Bonecrusher2:29.47 | Gary Stewart | Frank Ritchie | Peter J. Mitchell |
| 1984 | Jolly Jake2:27.39 | Chris McNab | Alan Jones | Ivan W Allan |
| 1983 | I'm Henry2:29.78 | Robert Vance | Colin Jillings | A J & M M Bates |
| 1982 | Our Flight2:32.48 | Maurice Campbell | Errol Skelton | J W Rusher |
| 1981 | Isle of Man 55.52:28.89 (good) | Robert Vance | Davina Waddell | Ron F Langsford and Davina L Waddell |
| 1980 | Ring the Bell2:30.23 (firm) | Nigel Tiley | Neville Atkins, Waiuku | E M Mackley and B P Wild |
| 1979 | Ruling Lad2:35.38 (easy) | Garry Phillips | Brian Deacon, Hawera | E N Baker |
| 1978 | Kaiser2:29.42 (firm) | Alwin Tweedie | Neville Atkins, Waiuku | T J and Mrs Doole |
| 1977 | Uncle Remus2:29.51 (firm) | Robert Vance | Colin Jillings, Takanini | Kim F Clotworthy and Mrs Grace M Donaldson |
| 1976 | Silver Lad2:29.76 | Des Wyatt | Barry Petley | D and Mrs Nicholls and R R Peel-Walker |
| 1975 | Balmerino2:31.21 | Maurice Campbell | Brian Smith | Ralph K Stuart |
| 1974 | Mansingh2:29.2 | Bob Skelton | Ray Wallace & Randall Coleman, Takanini | David V Beetham |
| 1973 | Furys Order2:35 | Des Harris | Wally McEwan, Hawera | Len H Bridgeman |
54 of the 54 runnings name the rider, 54 name the trainer and 54 name the owner, who is the one of the three the prize money actually belongs to.
Who wins the New Zealand Derby more than once
The fact the table above holds and cannot show
No horse has won the New Zealand Derby twice in the 54 runnings on this page.
Most wins by a jockey
Races worth about the same
Either side of the New Zealand Derby in the world money order
| # | Race | Country | Prize money | As published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 117 | Kranji MileSingapore Turf Club | Singapore | £581,400 | S$1,000,000 |
| 118 | Singapore Gold CupSingapore Turf Club | Singapore | £581,400 | S$1,000,000 |
| 119 | Belmont DerbyBelmont Park | United States | £563,910 | $750,000 |
| 120 | Christophe Clement Turf StakesSaratoga Race Course | United States | £563,910 | $750,000 |
| 121 | Fourstardave StakesSaratoga Race Course | United States | £563,910 | $750,000 |
| 122 | New York StakesBelmont Park | United States | £563,910 | $750,000 |
| 123 | Pat Day Mile StakesChurchill Downs | United States | £563,910 | $750,000 |
| 124 | Saratoga Derby StakesSaratoga Race Course | United States | £563,910 | $750,000 |
| 125 | Wood Memorial StakesAqueduct Racetrack | United States | £563,910 | $750,000 |
| 126 | Deutsches DerbyHorner Rennbahn | Germany | £555,556 | €650,000 |
| 128 | King's PlateWoodbine Racetrack | Canada | £536,800 | CA$1,000,000 |
| 129 | Arrowfield 3YO SprintRandwick Racecourse, | Australia | £529,101 | AU$1,000,000 |
| 130 | Australian GuineasFlemington Racecourse | Australia | £529,101 | AU$1,000,000 |
| 131 | Caulfield StakesCaulfield Racecourse | Australia | £529,101 | AU$1,000,000 |
| 132 | Concorde StakesRandwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia | Australia | £529,101 | AU$1,000,000 |
| 133 | Percy Sykes StakesRandwick Racecourse | Australia | £529,101 | AU$1,000,000 |
| 134 | Perth CupAscot Racecourse | Australia | £529,101 | AU$1,000,000 |
| 135 | Premiere StakesRandwick Racecourse, | Australia | £529,101 | AU$1,000,000 |
| 136 | Queensland DerbyEagle Farm Racecourse | Australia | £529,101 | AU$1,000,000 |
| 137 | Randwick GuineasRandwick Racecourse, | Australia | £529,101 | AU$1,000,000 |
The 20 races closest to the New Zealand Derby in what they pay, above and below it. Follow the ranking all the way up on the richest races in the world.
The rest of the money in New Zealand
35 races, 1st of them is this one
| Race | Racecourse | Grade | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Championship Stakes | Ellerslie Racecourse | Group III | £52,908 |
| Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile | Alexandra Park | Group I | £48,499 |
| Grand National Hurdles | Riccarton Park Racecourse, Christchurch, New Zealand | Prestige jumping | £44,090 |
| New Zealand Messenger Championship | Alexandra Park | Group I | £44,090 |
| Karaka Million | Ellerslie Racecourse | Restricted Listed | £440,900 |
| New Zealand Oaks | Ellerslie, Auckland | Group I | £440,900 |
| New Zealand Trotting Cup | Addington Raceway | Group I | £440,900 |
| New Zealand 2000 Guineas | Riccarton Park | Group I | £308,630 |
Every race in New Zealand we hold a purse for is on the New Zealand prize money list.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total New Zealand Derby prize money?
£551,125, for the 2025 running. The race announces it as NZ$1,250,000.
Where does the New Zealand Derby rank among the richest races in the world?
127th of 997. 126 races pay more, the nearest of them Kranji Mile. In New Zealand it is 1st of 35.
Which jockey has won the New Zealand Derby most often?
Vincent Colgan, with 6 wins between 1995 and 2016.
When was the New Zealand Derby first run?
1875. This page holds 54 runnings, from 1973 to 2026.
How far is the New Zealand Derby?
2,400 metres (12 furlongs), on turf, at Ellerslie Racecourse.
Where to next
The rest of the racing money