New Zealand 2000 Guineas

The New Zealand 2000 Guineas was previously held on the first day of Christchurch's famous New Zealand Cup Week. In 2025 it was held on the following Saturday on the same day as the New Zealand Cup.

For thoroughbred horses the week also features:

• the New Zealand 1000 Guineas for 3 year old fillies (the Saturday prior to the New Zealand 2000 Guineas)
• the TAB Mile (formerly the Coupland's Bakeries Mile) on the Wednesday
• the Stewards Handicap sprint (also on New Zealand Cup day).

Christchurch Cup week includes premier standardbred meetings at Addington raceway including:

• the New Zealand Trotting Cup for pacers on the Tuesday
• the Dominion Handicap for trotters on the Tuesday (in prior years it was on the Friday)
• the New Zealand Free For All for pacers on the Friday.

There is also greyhound racing on the Thursday, including the following Group 1 races:

• the New Zealand Galaxy - C5f 295m ($40,000 stake)
• the New Zealand Greyhound Cup - C5f 525m ($100,000)
• the New Zealand Stayers Cup - C2df 732m ($40,000)

The week also features the Canterbury A&P Show

Until 1973, both the New Zealand Oaks and the New Zealand Derby were run at Riccarton. When those races were moved to Trentham Racecourse and Ellerslie Racecourse respectively, Riccarton was awarded two new classic races, the New Zealand 1000 Guineas and the New Zealand 2000 Guineas over 1600m. These races are based on the 1000 Guineas Stakes and 2000 Guineas Stakes, run at Newmarket in late April or early May.

Both races quickly established themselves on the New Zealand racing calendar.

Among the best recent winners of the 2000 Guineas are:

• Turn Me Loose, winner of the 2015 Crystal Mile, Seymour Cup & Emirates Stakes and 2016 Futurity Stakes.
• Jimmy Choux, winner of the 2011 New Zealand Derby, Rosehill Guineas, Windsor Park Plate and Spring Classic.
• Katie Lee, winner of the 2009 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
• Darci Brahma, winner of the 2005 The T J Smith, Hawke's Bay Guineas & Otaki-Maori Weight for Age, 2007 Waikato Sprint & Telegraph Handicap.
• King's Chapel, winner of the 2004 Telegraph Handicap, Otaki-Maori Weight for Age & Gold Coast Guineas.
• Veandercross, winner of the 1992 Mackinnon Stakes & Canterbury Guineas and 1993 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ranvet Stakes & Australian Cup.
• Sacred Falls, winner of the 2013 and 2014 Doncaster Handicap and the 2014 George Main Stakes.

Jockey Opie Bosson has won the race a record eight times with:

• Danske (1998).
• Buzz Lightyear (1999).
• King's Chapel (2003).
• Katie Lee (2009).
• Atlante (2013).
• Turn Me Loose (2014).
• Embellish (2017).
• Noverre (2021).

1000 and 2000 Guineas

Katie Lee is the only horse to win both of these races, having done so in 2009 ridden by Opie Bosson and trained by Graeme & Debbie Rogerson for owners Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan.

In 1997 Tycoon Lil won the 1000 Guineas and 4 days later was 2nd behind Foxwood in the 2000 Guineas.

In 2014 Platinum Witness was 4th in the 2000 Guineas behind Turn Me Loose and then a week later won the 1000 Guineas.

Hawke's Bay Guineas winners

Horses who have won the Hawke's Bay Guineas that have gone on to win the New Zealand 2000 Guineas include:

• Savaglee (2024)
• Pier (2022)
• Aegon (2020)
• Catalyst (2019)
• Madison County (2018)
• Turn Me Loose (2014)
• Sacred Falls (2012)

• Recent winners of major races for 3 year olds