The Aotearoa Classic is a Group three horse race for four year old horses held on Karaka Million night in late January each year at Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland, New Zealand.[1] The Karaka Million race night is held on the eve of the National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka.

Aotearoa Classic
ClassGroup 3
LocationEllerslie Racecourse
Inaugurated2024
Race typeThoroughbredFlat racing
Race information
Distance1,600 metres (8 furlongs)
SurfaceTurf
QualificationFour-year-old horses
WeightSet weights (57.5kg for male horses, 55.5kg for female)
Purse$1,040,000 (2026)

History

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The first edition of the race was held Saturday 27 January 2024 when Desert Lightning won from Legarto and Rudyard.[2] The 2025 edition was a listed race and it attained Group Three status in 2026. It was reported that the 2026 Aotearoa Classic was the highest race for turnover in New Zealand for January with $1.2 million bet on it via the New Zealand TAB and it's betcha app.[3]

Recent results

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Year
Stake
Winner
Sire
Dam
Jockey
Trainer(s)
Time
Second
Third
2026[4]$1,040,000Tuxedo 57.5Tivaci (Aus)Ball GownOpie BossonShaune Ritchie & Colm Murray1:36.06 (soft)Hinekaha 55.5Knobelas 55.5
2025[5][6]$1,000,000Orchestral 55.5[7]SavabeelSymphonicCraig GryllsRoger James & Robert Wellwood1:35.99 (soft)Mary Shan 55.5Mosinvader 57.5
2024[8][9]$1,000,000Desert Lightning 57.5Pride of Dubhai (Aus)Isstoora (Aus)Vincent ColganPeter & Dawn Williams1:32.53 (good)Legarto 55.5Rudyard 57.5

See also

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References

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