Introducing The Classics Carnival
Introducing The Classics Carnival: Three spectacular racedays draped in colour (two out of three - but we’ll get to this later), tradition and prestige.
Whether you’re a die-hard racing fan, can’t tell the back-end of a horse from the front, or fall anywhere in between, The Classics Carnival is for you.
Vodafone Derby Day - Ellerslie Racecourse, Saturday 5th March 2022
We’re kicking things off at the Big E! A race dating back to the late 1700s, the Derby is among the most historically charged races of our time. It’s been won by some of the greats, with the likes of Castletown, Surfers Paradise and Balmerino gracing the roll of honour. Cheer on the country’s top three-year-olds as they battle for the $1 million Vodafone New Zealand Derby (AND ultimate bragging rights!)
With top-class racing comes fabulous fashion, although Derby Day fashion has a twist … the dress code has traditionally been black and white (all because of one very clever marketing ploy for whiskey… you can read more about this here.) Embrace tradition and sport your best monochrome look. Play with textures, fabrics and patterns, after all black and white need not be black and boring!
Derby Day will leave you chomping at the bit for more...
Traditionally, the dress code for Derby Day is black and white.
Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day® - Ellerslie Racecourse, Sunday 13th March 2022
It’s a quick back-up to Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day®, Ellerslie’s end-of-summer celebration and this year, the final hurrah before a hiatus for the track. Featuring the country's top horses, trainers and jockeys, New Zealand’s best stayers will be put to the ultimate test in the 3200m Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup.
Established in 1874, the Auckland Cup has long been considered New Zealand’s most prestigious staying race. The race was run on Boxing Day from its inception until 1958 when it was moved to New Year’s Day. In 2006, it moved to its current early March spot to run alongside Derby Day under the Auckland Cup Week banner.
The first official Auckland Cup was won by Templeton over two miles. The inaugural day received glowing reviews from the New Zealand Herald who described it as absent of any ‘shenanigans’ or ‘hanky-panky’ and very ‘above-board’. We can’t promise the 2022 edition will be quite as clean-cut but with fabulous hospitality and history-making racing, it’s a guaranteed good time for everyone.
Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day is a longstanding favourite on the New Zealand racing calendar.
Al Basti Equiworld Dubai NZ Oaks Day - Trentham Racecourse, Saturday 19th March 2022
A nine-race card featuring five black-type races? Not a bad statistic! Catch New Zealand’s finest fillies as they vie for the Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks at Wellington’s historic Trentham Racecourse, supported by four other black-type races (including the Group 1 Levin Classic!)
While the New Zealand Oaks as we know it today is not as ‘long in the tooth’ as the Derby and Auckland Cup, the race has a complex history - initially being run at Riccarton Park throughout the 20th century until 1972. The Wellington Oaks, run over one mile and a quarter and 27 yards (to be precise), was established in 1969 and in 1974 the New Zealand Oaks as we know it, was first run over 2400m at Trentham Racecourse. Name and location aside, the race has been won by some of the best in the business, including Desert Gold, Miltak, Snap and Young Ida.
Since then, the New Zealand Oaks has fast become the ultimate target for the country’s top three-year-old fillies. Who will reign supreme this year? Join us in the capital and find out!
Like what you read? Head to loveracing.nz/theclassics for all the event details!
*New Zealand will need to move to the orange COVID-19 setting for these events to operate at full capacity.
