New Zealand Derby: Date, how to watch, past winners & more

The New Zealand Derby is a Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds that is raced at set weights over 2,400 metres at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland.

The New Zealand Derby is raced on the first Saturday of March each year and some of the nation’s most famous horses have won the race.

With $1million in prizemoney up for grabs, the New Zealand Derby attracts a stellar field and it will be no different in 2024.

Here is our guide to the New Zealand Derby.

New Zealand Derby date

The New Zealand Derby is held on the first Saturday of March, which is the opening day of Auckland Cup Week.

This has not always been the case. The New Zealand Derby has previously been raced in May, on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

However, in 2006, the New Zealand Derby was switched to the new March date, and has remained that way ever since.

The 2024 edition will be raced on Saturday 2nd March.

New Zealand Derby time

The exact start time for the New Zealand Derby has yet to be announced.

New Zealand Derby location

The New Zealand Derby is raced at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland and returns to the venue after a brief break in 2023.

Due to renovations at the track, the 2023 New Zealand Derby, was raced at Te Rapa Racecourse.

New Zealand Derby how to watch

The New Zealand Derby will be shown free-to-air on channel 7.

New Zealand Derby history

The New Zealand Derby is a relatively new race, with the first edition taking place in 1973. It was won by a horse named Furys Order.

The New Zealand Derby is an amalgamation of two races, the New Zealand Derby and the Great Northern Derby.

The original New Zealand Derby was raced at Riccarton in Christchurch from 1860, while the Great Northern Derby took place at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland from 1875.

As compensation, Riccarton was awarded both the New Zealand 1000 and 2000 Guineas for three-year-olds.

New Zealand Derby prize money

The total prizemoney pot for the New Zealand Derby was raised to $1million in 2020 and has remained that way since.

New Zealand Derby past winners

Sharp ‘N’ Smart was the winner of the 2023 New Zealand Derby for Team Rogerson and jockey Ryan Elliot.

Some of New Zealand’s most famous racehorses have won the New Zealand Derby including Desert Gold, Mainbrace and Jimmy Choux.

Habibi was the last filly to win the race in 2013.

New Zealand Derby odds

Orchestral is the hot fancy to win the New Zealand Derby and is priced at 1.50.

Then there is a big gap in the betting to Interlinked at 8.50 and Ascend The Throne at 11.00.