Zabeel Classic
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ClassGroup I
LocationEllerslie Racecourse
Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand
Inaugurated1985
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
| Class | Group I |
|---|---|
| Location | Ellerslie Racecourse Auckland, New Zealand |
| Inaugurated | 1985 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Sponsor | Cambridge Stud (2017 -) |
| Website | Ellerslie Racecourse |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2000m/2050m |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Open |
| Weight | Weight-for-age |
| Purse | NZ$500,000 (2025) |
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.
| Year |
Winner |
Jockey |
Trainer(s) |
Time |
Second |
Third |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025[1] | Kingswood 59 | Rory Hutchings | Gavin Bedggood, Cranbourne, Aust. | 2:06.40 (soft) | Jaarffi 57 | Legarto 57 |
| 2024 [2] | Snazzytavi 57 | Warren Kennedy | Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall | 2:04.04 (soft) | La Crique 57 | El Vencedor 59 |
| 2023 (Pukekohe)[3] | Campionessa 57 | Opie Bosson | Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson | 2:07.90 (soft, 2050m) | No Compromise 59 | Aquacade 57 |
| 2022 [4] (Pukekohe) | Defibrillate 59[5] | Warren Kennedy | Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall | 2:05.37 (good, 2050m) | Prise De Fer 59 | Polly Grey 57 |
| 2021 [6] | Tiptronic 59[7] | Ashvin Goindasamy | Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall | 2:05.15 (dead) | Vernanme 59 | Two Illicit 57 |
| 2020 [8] | Concert Hall 57 | Vincent Colgan | Roger James & Robert Wellwood | 2:01.93 (dead) | Supera 57 | In A Twinkling 59 |
| 2019 [9] | True Enough 59 | James McDonald | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | 2:01.24 (good) | Fiscal Fantasy 57 | Beauden 59 |
| 2018 [10] | Danzdanzdance 56.5 | Opie Bosson | Chris Gibbs & Michelle Bradley | 2.08.18 (heavy) | Lizzie L’Amour 57 | Jon Snow 59 |
| 2017 [11][12] | Authentic Paddy 59 | Trudy Thornton | Lisa Latta, Awapuni | 2.06.31 (dead) | Lizzie L’Amour 57 | Volkstok’n’barrell 59 |
| 2016 [13][14] | Consensus 57 | Alysha Collett | Stephen McKee | 2.01.25 (good) | Volkstok’n’barrell 59 | Authentic Paddy 59 |
| 2015 [15] | Kawi 59 | Leith Innes | Allan Sharrock | 2.04.30 (good) | Stolen Dance 56.5 | Authentic Paddy 59 |
| 2014 [16] | Soriano 57 | Rory Hutchings | Graeme & Debbie Rogerson | 2.02.30 (good) | Weregoingtogetcha 58.5 | Ponderosa Miss 56.5 |
| 2013 [17] | Historian 59 | Matthew Cameron | Gary Alton | 2:05.99 (dead) | O’Fille 57 | Soriano 56.5 |
| 2012 [18] | Veyron 59 | Rogan Norvall | Linda Laing | 2:08.19 (dead) | Shez Sinsational 57 | Shootoff 59 |
| 2011 [19] | Shez Sinsational 56.5 | James McDonald | Allan Sharrock | 2:02.34 (good) | Veyron 59 | Doctor Freemantle 59 |
| 2010 [20] | Booming 59 | Vincent Colgan | Jeff Lynds | 2:04.02 (good) | Red Ruler 59 | Ginga Dude 59 |
| 2009 [21][22] | Vosne Romanee 59 | Matthew Cameron | Jeff Lynds | 2:00.60 (good)
Record |
Red Ruler 59 | Tell A Tale 58.5 |
| 2008 [23] | Gallions Reach 59 | Sam Spratt | Richard Yuill | 2:05.69 (dead) | Willy Smith 59 | Overkaast |
| 2007 [24][25] | Sir Slick 59 | Bruce Herd | Graeme Nicholson | 2:03.81 (dead) | Xcellent 59 | Dezigna 59 |
| 2006 [26] | Mikki Street 59 | Bruce Herd | Lisa Latta | 2:02.84 (good) | Sharvasti 56 | Fiscal Madness 59 |
| 2005 (Dec)[27] | Bazelle 56 | Jason Waddell | Paul Jenkins | 2:03.72 (dead) | Kind Return 56 | Focal Point 56 |
| 2005 (Jan)[28] | St Reims 58.5 | Leith Innes | Chris McNab | 2:03.33 (good) | Distinctly Secret 58.5 | Lashed 57 |
| 2004 [29][30] | Lashed 55.5 | Opie Bosson | Graeme Rogerson & Stephen Autridge | 2:02.62 (good) | Penny Gem 55.5 | El Duce 58.5 |
| 2003 [31] | 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 [32] | 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 |
| 1997 [33] | Captain Moonlight 52.25 | Darren Beadman | Stephen Autridge | 2:05.97 (firm) | Vialli 58.5 | Pakaraka Star 58.5 |
| 1995 [34] | Star Dancer 57 | G L Cooksley | B J Wallace | 2:05.50 (firm) | Ball Park 58.5 | Lord Majestic 58.5 |
| 1994 [35] | All In Fun 57 | Jim Collett | T J McDonald | 2:04.76 (firm) | The Phantom 58.5 | Shatin Heights 51 |
+ The race was moved from January to December in 2005.
