Zabeel Classic
SurfaceTurf
ClassGroup I
Horse raceZabeel Classic
LocationEllerslie Racecourse
Auckland, New Zealand
Inaugurated1985
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
WebsiteEllerslie Racecourse
Distance2000m/2050m
TrackRight-handed
QualificationOpen
WeightWeight-for-age
PurseNZ$500,000 (2025)
SponsorCambridge Stud (2017 -)

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.

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.

It is held on Boxing Day, a raceday steeped in tradition that frequently attracts in excess of 20,000 Aucklanders to the famous course. Up to 2005 the race was held in early January.

List of winners

Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer(s)
Time
Second
Third
2025[1]Kingswood 59Rory HutchingsGavin Bedggood, Cranbourne, Aust.2:06.40 (soft)Jaarffi 57Legarto 57
2024 [2]Snazzytavi 57Warren KennedyGraham Richardson & Rogan Norvall2:04.04 (soft)La Crique 57El Vencedor 59
2023 (Pukekohe)[3]Campionessa 57Opie BossonMark Walker & Sam Bergerson2:07.90 (soft, 2050m)No Compromise 59Aquacade 57
2022 [4] (Pukekohe)Defibrillate 59[5]Warren KennedyGraham Richardson & Rogan Norvall2:05.37 (good, 2050m)Prise De Fer 59Polly Grey 57
2021 [6]Tiptronic 59[7]Ashvin GoindasamyGraham Richardson & Rogan Norvall2:05.15 (dead)Vernanme 59Two Illicit 57
2020 [8]Concert Hall 57Vincent ColganRoger James & Robert Wellwood2:01.93 (dead)Supera 57In A Twinkling 59
2019 [9]True Enough 59James McDonaldMurray Baker & Andrew Forsman2:01.24 (good)Fiscal Fantasy 57Beauden 59
2018 [10]Danzdanzdance 56.5Opie BossonChris Gibbs & Michelle Bradley2.08.18 (heavy)Lizzie L’Amour 57Jon Snow 59
2017 [11][12]Authentic Paddy 59Trudy ThorntonLisa Latta, Awapuni2.06.31 (dead)Lizzie L’Amour 57Volkstok’n’barrell 59
2016 [13][14]Consensus 57Alysha CollettStephen McKee2.01.25 (good)Volkstok’n’barrell 59Authentic Paddy 59
2015 [15]Kawi 59Leith InnesAllan Sharrock2.04.30 (good)Stolen Dance 56.5Authentic Paddy 59
2014 [16]Soriano 57Rory HutchingsGraeme & Debbie Rogerson2.02.30 (good)Weregoingtogetcha 58.5Ponderosa Miss 56.5
2013 [17]Historian 59Matthew CameronGary Alton2:05.99 (dead)O’Fille 57Soriano 56.5
2012 [18]Veyron 59Rogan NorvallLinda Laing2:08.19 (dead)Shez Sinsational 57Shootoff 59
2011 [19]Shez Sinsational 56.5James McDonaldAllan Sharrock2:02.34 (good)Veyron 59Doctor Freemantle 59
2010 [20]Booming 59Vincent ColganJeff Lynds2:04.02 (good)Red Ruler 59Ginga Dude 59
2009 [21][22]Vosne Romanee 59Matthew CameronJeff Lynds2:00.60 (good) RecordRed Ruler 59Tell A Tale 58.5
2008 [23]Gallions Reach 59Sam SprattRichard Yuill2:05.69 (dead)Willy Smith 59Overkaast
2007 [24][25]Sir Slick 59Bruce HerdGraeme Nicholson2:03.81 (dead)Xcellent 59Dezigna 59
2006 [26]Mikki Street 59Bruce HerdLisa Latta2:02.84 (good)Sharvasti 56Fiscal Madness 59
2005 (Dec)[27]Bazelle 56Jason WaddellPaul Jenkins2:03.72 (dead)Kind Return 56Focal Point 56
2005 (Jan)[28]St Reims 58.5Leith InnesChris McNab2:03.33 (good)Distinctly Secret 58.5Lashed 57
2004 [29][30]Lashed 55.5Opie BossonGraeme Rogerson & Stephen Autridge2:02.62 (good)Penny Gem 55.5El Duce 58.5
2003 [31]Hail 58.5Greg ChildsBruce & Stephen Marsh2:04.52 (good)Miss Potential 58Doyle 56
2002Giovana 57Peter JohnsonCarol Marshall2:02.88 (good)La Bella Dama 55.5Hill Of Grace 57
2001Zonda 58.5Damien OliverRoger James2:05.81 (dead)Giovana 58Cronus 55
2000Rebel 58.5Linda BallantyneVal Langsford2:04.11 (good)Aerosmith 58Integrate 58
1999 [32]Del Coronado 58.5Paul TaylorColin Jillings & Richard Yuill2:01.24 (good)All In Fun 58Greenstone Charm 58
1998Vialli 58.5Shane DyeDave & Paul O'Sullivan2:04.49 (good)Bubble 58Gypsy Soul 56
1997 [33]Captain Moonlight 52.25Darren BeadmanStephen Autridge2:05.97 (firm)Vialli 58.5Pakaraka Star 58.5
1995 [34]Star Dancer 57G L CooksleyB J Wallace2:05.50 (firm)Ball Park 58.5Lord Majestic 58.5
1994 [35]All In Fun 57Jim CollettT J McDonald2:04.76 (firm)The Phantom 58.5Shatin Heights 51

+ 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 Westbury Stud Royal Descent Stakes - 1400m for fillies and mares - $90,000 (2024).
  • the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers Championship Final - 2400m special conditions $125,000 (2024)
  • the Auckland Guineas - Group 2, 1400m for 3YO horses - $270,000 (2024)
  • the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final - special conditions $110,000 (2024).
  • the Eight Carat Classic - Group 2, 1600m 3YO fillies set weight $270,000 (2024).

All 10 races at the 2024 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 2025 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz
  2. ^ "Race 9 CAMBRIDGE STUD ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 26 DEC 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz
  3. ^ "Race 9 CAMBRIDGE STUD ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 26 DEC 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz
  4. ^ "Race 9 CAMBRIDGE STUD ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 26 DEC 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  5. ^ "Brendon McCullum wins big at the Boxing Day races with Defibrillate"[dead link]
  6. ^ "Race 9 CAMBRIDGE STUD ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 26 DEC 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  7. ^ "Tiptronic retired"
  8. ^ "Race 9 CAMBRIDGE STUD ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  9. ^ "Race 9 CAMBRIDGE STUD ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  10. ^ "Race 9 CAMBRIDGE STUD ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  11. ^ "Race 9 CAMBRIDGE STUD ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  12. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2018 (47th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
  13. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  14. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2017 (46th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
  15. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC (GROUP I) at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  16. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  17. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  18. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2012 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  19. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2011 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  20. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2010 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  21. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2009 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  22. ^ AAP. "Monaco flops in Zabeel Classic". The Age. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  23. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2008 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  24. ^ "Race 9 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2007 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  25. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2008 (37th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand.
  26. ^ "Race 7 ZABEEL CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 DEC 2006 | LOVERACING.NZ"
  27. ^ "Bazelle (NZ) 1999 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz
  28. ^ "St Reims (NZ) 1999 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz
  29. ^ "Lashed (AUS) 1999 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz
  30. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2005 (34th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand.
  31. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2004 (33rd edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand.
  32. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2000 (29th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
  33. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1997 (26th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
  34. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1995 (24th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
  35. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1994 (23rd edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Meadowset Publishing, Auckland, New Zealand
  • Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips
  • New Zealand Horse Racing Statistics and Information - RaceBase
  • The Great Decade of New Zealand racing 1970-1980. Glengarry, Jack. William Collins Publishers Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand.
  • New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1991 (20th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
  • New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1987 (16th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
  • New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1985 (Fourteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
  • New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1984 (Thirteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
  • New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1982 (Eleventh edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
  • New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1981 (Tenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
  • New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1980 (Ninth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
  • New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1979 (Eighth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
  • New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1978 (Seventh edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
  • New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1976. Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland.