| ELLERSLIE RACECOURSE |
| Records indicate that racing first took place at Ellerslie on 25th May 1874 and the course is run by the Auckland Racing Club. It hosts two of New Zealands principal races, the New Zealand Derby and the Auckland Cup, both run in March. |
| Ellerslie was the first course to run an automatic tote
which it introduced in 1913 when designed by George Julius. Each year the Pakuranga Hunt
hosts 2 meetings .
|
| It boasts no less than 7 Group One races
including the Railway Stakes over 1200 metres in January and the Diamond Stakes for 2 year
olds over the same distance in March. The New Zealand Derby is for 3 year olds and is run
in March over 2400 metres. Its inaugural running was in 1875 when won by Toi. Balmerino,
later successful in England, won the race in 1975. The latest 2008 winner was C'est La
Guerre. One of its main 2 year old races of the year is the Karaka Million which is contested each January. In the 2009 renewal The Heckler was ridden to victory by Michael Rodd on Sunday 25th January. |
| The Auckland Cup is run over 3200 metres and was introduced
in 1874 when Templeton won. By 2008 the winner was Prize Lady scoring and unusual, but not
unique, double. |
| If you have badges, racecards, pictures of the racecourse or further details about the course, including your memories, then email johnslusar@fsmail.net |
