Railway Stakes (New Zealand)
| Group I race | |
| Location | Ellerslie Racecourse Auckland, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1890 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1200m (6 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds and up |
| Weight | Set Weights & Penalties |
| Purse | NZ$700,000 (2025) |
The Railway Stakes is a Group One New Zealand horse race. Held at Ellerslie it is raced over 1200 metres, and is one of New Zealand's feature sprint races.
Among its most notable winners are:
- Avantage, the winner of the 2021 Railway, the 2020 and 2021 Telegraph Handicap, 2020 Otaki-Maori Weight for Age, Foxbridge Plate and Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes.
- Bawakalasana the winner of both the Railway and the Telegraph Handicap in 1999.
- Diamond Lover in 1987 who broke the Ellerslie track record, running 1:07.73.
- Imperatriz in 2023, who went on to win multiple group 1 races in Australia.
- Loader, the winner of the Railway and Telegraph Handicap in 1996.
- Mayo Gold in 1970, the first winner to finish under 1:10.
- the great Mr Tiz, who won this race three times (1989-1991), the 1991 Waikato Sprint and the 1989 and 1990 Telegraph Handicap.
- Rizzio, the 1948 and 1949 winner.
- Tudor Light, in 1977.
- Yahabeebe, the 1957 and 1958 winner.
Some of the biggest upsets in the history of the race were in 2009 when Jacowils triumphed at odds of 104-1, and in 2011 when Miss Raggedy Ann won the race as the 86-1 outsider.
In 2014, the exceptional filly Bounding became the first 3-year-old to win the Railway in 33 years.
In 2025 the Railway Stakes was moved from on New Year's Day to the Karaka Million meeting in late January.[1]
Winners Since 1970
[edit]The following are brief details of the previous winners[2] of the Railway Stakes.[3]
| Year |
Winner |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Time |
Second |
Third |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024[4] | Waitak 55 | Warren Kennedy | Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott | 1:09.76 (Pukekohe) | Bonny Lass 54 | Mercurial 55 |
| 2023[5] | Imperatriz 56 | Opie Bosson | Mark Walker | 1:08.90 (Te Rapa) | Babylon Berlin 54 | Levante 57 |
| 2022[6] | Entriviere 55 | Opie Bosson | Jamie Richards, Matamata | 1:09.36 | Levante 55 | Babylon Berlin 53.5 |
| 2021[7] | Avantage 57 | Opie Bosson | Jamie Richards, Matamata | 1:08.91 | Julius 58 | Levante 53.5 |
| 2020[8] | Julius[9] 56 | Jason Waddell[10] | John Bell, Cambridge | 1:09.70 | Winter Bride | Evalina |
| 2019[11] | Santa Monica 53 [12] | Trudy Thornton | Stephen Ralph, Te Awamutu | 1:09.47 | Princess Kereru | Melody Belle |
| 2018[13][14] | Volpe Veloce 54 [15] | Jake Bayliss | Graham Richardson, Matamata | 1:10.65 | Packing Eagle | Volks Lightning |
| 2017[16][17] | Start Wondering 55.5 | Johnathan Parkes | J J & Evan Rayner, Whanganui | 1:08.84 | Perfect Fit | Reilly Lincoln |
| 2016[18] | Ryan Mark 56 [19] | Opie Bosson | John Morell, Te Rapa | 1:11.04 | Allez Eagle | Natuzzi |
| 2015[20] | In Style 54 | Leith Innes | Danica Guy, Matamata | 1:10.34 | Whosyourmaster | Durham Town |
| 2014[21] | Bounding [22] 52 | Mark Du Plessis | Ken & Bev Kelso, Matamata | 1:10.25 | Waterford | Little Wonder |
| 2013[23] | Fleur de Lune 54 | Jason Jago | Lee Somerville, Cambridge | 1:09.21 | Jetset Lad | Durham Town |
| 2012[24] | Atomic Force 58 | Nash Rawiller | Gai Waterhouse, Randwick (AUS) | 1:11.57 | The Hombre | Twilight Savings |
| 2011[25] | Miss Raggedy Ann 53 | Natasha Collett | Andrew Scott, Matamata | 1:09.87 | Atapi | Tip The Wink |
| 2010[26] | A Gold Trail 57 | Michael Rodd | Gary Portelli, Warwick Farm Racecourse (AUS) | 1:09.34 | Atapi | Richard Beymer |
| 2009[27] | Jacowils 55.5 | Mark Hills | Kristin Stead, Te Rapa | 1:09.60 | Dashing Donna | Pinsoir |
| 2008[28][29] | Imananabaa 54 | Andrew Calder | Don Sellwood, Cambridge | 1:09.04 | Needuask | Brianna |
| 2007[30] | Donna Rosita 51 | Lisa Cropp | Piri Ranui, Tauranga | 1:09.74 | Gee I Jane | Imananabaa |
| 2006[31] | Baldessarini 53.5 | Lisa Cropp | Anne Herbert | 1:08.85 | Gee I Jane 55 | Pin Up Boy 52.5 |
| 2005[32] | Recurring 56 | Hayden Tinsley | Gerald Ryan, Rosehill (AUS) | 1:10.12 | Gee I Jane 51.5 | Sedecrem 56 |
| 2004[33] | Vinaka | Opie Bosson | Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata | 1:08.66 | Pay My Bail | Tully Dane |
| 2003 | Egyptian Raine 52 | Lance O'Sullivan | Kenny Rae, Ruakaka | 1:08.66 | Gwen’s Rules 52 | Marcurous 52 |
| 2002 | Sound The Alarm | Gary Grylls | Richard Otto, Te Aroha | 1:09.97 | Super Impressive | Vinaka |
| 2001 | Fritz 58 | Noel Harris | Neil Coulbeck, Leithfield | 1:10.45 | O’Malleys Boy 58 | Travellin’ Man 56 |
| 2000[34] | Cannsea 53.5 | Michael Coleman | Michael Moroney & Andrew Scott, Matamata | 1:09.63 | Cullen 51.5 | Star Of Gold 53.5 |
| 1999 | Bawalaksana 50.5 | Chris Munce | Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata | 1:09.69 | Dantelah 50 | Vain Ana 54 |
| 1998 | Coogee Walk 51 | Shane Dye | Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata | 1:08.55 | Rebel 51 | Paint 50 |
| 1997[35] | Kailey 50.5 | Lisa Cropp | Graham Richardson, Matamata | 1:08.50 | Krispin Klear 55.5 | Coberger 55 |
| 1996 | Loader 52.5 | Chris Johnson | Peter & Dawn Williams | 1:08.83 | Red Cent 52 | So Keen 51 |
| 1995[36] | Coberger 48.5 | Matthew Williamson | Chris & Jim Gibbs, Matamata | 1:09.74 | Lord Tridan 57 | Ensign Ewart 51.5 |
| 1994[37] | Ensign Ewart 50.5 | Lance O'Sullivan | Dave & Paul O’Sullivan, Matamata | 1:08.70 | Lord Tridan 53.5 | Delanira 49 |
| 1993 | Hypervain 54 | David Peake | Charlie Faulkner, Takanini | 1:08.42 | Lord Tridan 54 | Hulastrike 51 |
| 1992 | Vain Sovereign 55 | Brian Hibberd | Maurice Campbell, Wanganui | 1:10.68 | Rua Rukuna 55 | Morar 48 |
| 1991[38] | Mr Tiz 58.5 | Lance O'Sullivan | Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata | 1:10.28 | Anne Of Stratford 52.75 | Foreign Influence 47.75 |
| 1990 | Mr Tiz 52.5 | Lance O'Sullivan | Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata | 1:09.83 | Este’s Park 50.5 | Vain Sovereign 51 |
| 1989 (Dead Heat) | Mr Tiz 48.5 | Lisa Cropp | Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata | 1:10.57 | - | Her Royal Highness 48 |
| 1989 (Dead Heat) | Westminster 54.5 | Maurice Campbell | Ngaire Fraser | 1:10.57 | - | Her Royal Highness 48 |
| 1988 | Alynda 48.5 | Cathrine Treymane | Alan Jones, Cambridge | 1:08.47 | Courier Bay 57.5 | Spring Easy 49.5 |
| 1987[39] | Diamond Lover 51.75 | Grant Cooksley | Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill, Takanini | 1:07.73 | Courier Bay 53.5 | High Regards 53.5 |
| 1986 | Silver Tip 48 | Lance O'Sullivan | Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata | 1:08.37 | Wrens Trophy 47.5 | Princess Dram 52 |
| 1985[40] | Ardee One 47 | Roy McKay | Bill Weal, Te Awamutu | 1:08.63 | War Like 47.5 | Romantic Bay 47.5 |
| 1984[41] | Pinson 53 | Gary Phillips | Don Couchman, Hawera | 1:09.69 | Flying Dream 47.5 | Ebony Belle 47.5 |
| 1983 | So Dandy 53.5 | David Walsh | Keith Opie, Te Aroha | 1:09.69 | Our Shah 57 | Pia Roona 53 |
| 1982[42] | Valencia 51.5 | Greg Childs | Jim Gibbs, Matamata | 1:11.34 | Our Shah 53.5 / Kerryman 51 (dead heat) | - |
| 1981[43] | Gold Hope 49 | David Peake | Ray Verner, Takanini | 1:10.87 | Valencia 51 | Royal Fencer 52.5 |
| 1980 [44] | Arbre Chene 55.5 | Alvin Tweedie | Clive Bennett, Pukekoe | 1:13.2 | Babbling Brooke 53.5 | Luck Roona 52.5 |
| 1979[45] | Al Donte 49.5 | Rodney Heaslip | Don Sellwood, Hastings | 1:11.31 | Babbling Brooke 53.5 | Lady Belle 56.5 |
| 1978 [46] | Silver Liner 52.5 | Brent Thomson | Eric Ropiha, Woodville | 1:10.58 | Silver Wraith 48 | Sly Wink 50 |
| 1977 | Tudor Light 55.5 | Warwick Robinson | John Malcolm, Te Rapa | 1:11.5 | Blue Blood | Chrisarda |
| 1976 [47] | Marinoto 49.5 | Danny Southworth | F M Walsh, Inglewood | 1:10.9 | Blue Blood 57.5 | Glengarick 50 |
| 1975 | Shifnal Chief 59 | Bob Skelton | I M & J R Cameron, Taupiri | 1:11 | Soliloquy | Blanco Sol |
| 1974 | Blue Blood 50 | David Peake | Ray Verner, Takanini | 1:10 | Sharif 54.5 | Ernader 52.5 |
| 1973 | Lilt 8.13 | Bob Skelton | Ray Bain, Hastings | 1:10 | ||
| 1972 | Ajasco 8.8 | Bruce Marsh | Eric Ropiha, Woodville | 1:12.6 | New Moon | Tauporae |
| 1971 | Sharivari 8.12 | Grenville Hughes | Colin Jillings, Takanini | 1:10 | Tauporae | |
| 1970 | Mayo Gold[48] 8.12 | Brian Andrews | Ray Wallace, Takanini[49] | 1:09.8 |
See also
[edit]- Recent winners of major NZ sprint races
- Telegraph Handicap
- Waikato Sprint
- Auckland Cup
- Zabeel Classic
References
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- ^ "Feature Races".
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- ^ "Race 7 SISTEMA RAILWAY at WAIKATO RC on 1 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- ^ "Race 8 SISTEMA RAILWAY at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 1 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- ^ "Race 9 SISTEMA RAILWAY at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
- ^ "Race 9 SISTEMA RAILWAY at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Fairytale comes true at Ellerslie". 31 December 2019.
- ^ "Jockey Comments: Sistema Railway". January 2020.
- ^ "Race 9 SISTEMA RAILWAY at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Outsider wins Railway Stakes".
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- ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2018 (47th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
- ^ Irvine, Greg (January 2018). "Volpe Veloce a Great Result for Magic Millions". Magic Millions.
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- ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2017 (46th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
- ^ "Race 9 SISTEMA RAILWAY STAKES at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "John Morell and Ryan Mark break Ellerslie hoodoo in Railway Stakes". January 2016.
- ^ "Race 8 SISTEMA RAILWAY STAKES at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Race 8 SISTEMA RAILWAY STAKES at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Racing: Du Plessis on right track for Bounding". 31 December 2013.
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- ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2000 (29th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
- ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1997 (26th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand.
- ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1995 (24th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand.
- ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1994 (23rd edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Meadowset Publishing, Auckland, New Zealand.
- ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1991 (20th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
- ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1987 (16th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
- ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1985 (Fourteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
- ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1984 (Thirteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
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