Championship Stakes
The Championship Stakes, run at Ellerslie Racecourse, is a Group 2 horse race run for three-year-olds at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand.
| Group II race | |
| Location | Ellerslie Racecourse Auckland, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 2006 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2100m (10.5 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | right-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | Set-Weights |
| Purse | $100,000 |
When the New Zealand Derby was moved from December to March in the 2005-06 season, the race was set up to be run on the second Saturday in February as the main-lead-up race, two weeks before the Derby. Before this the race had been restricted to fillies only. However, in 2011 the race was moved New Year's Day, with the Avondale Guineas (previously run in December at Avondale and the main Derby lead-up before 2005) moving to Ellerslie and taking the February date.
The race currently known as the Valachi Downs Championship Stakes, is now raced in April.
Both the first two winners of the race went on to win the Derby, and the 2009 and 2010 Derby winners contested the race. The 2011 running (in the new date) only provided two outsiders in the Derby, before both the 2012 and 2013 winners went on to win the Derby.
Winners of the Championship Stakes
| Year |
Winner |
|---|---|
| April 2019 | Lord Arthur |
| April 2018 | Azaboy |
| April 2017 | Tavidream[1] |
| April 2016 | The Hassler[2] |
| April 2015 | Werther |
| January 2014 | Show The World |
| January 2013 | Habibi |
| January 2012 | Silent Achiever |
| 2011 | Hidden Asset |
| 2010 | Zarzuela |
| 2009 | Down The Road |
| 2008 | Red Ruler |
| 2007 | Redoute's Dancer |
| 2006 | Wahid |
| March 1997 | Ellakapella |
See also
Footnotes
- Lamb, James. "Sale pending for Queensland Derby favourite Tavidream", Punters (April 26, 2017).
- "Disaster averted after Danielle Johnson crashes at Ellerslie", Stuff.co.nz (April 23, 2016).