Zabeel Classic
Introduction The '''Zabeel Classic''' is a Group One Thoroughbred horse race run at weight-for-age over a distance of 2000 metres at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand. It is held on Boxing Day, a raceday steeped in tradition that frequently attracts in excess of 20,000 Aucklanders to the famous course.The Zabeel Classic is named in honour of Zabeel, son of Sir Tristram and four-time New Zealand champion sire. The race was formerly known as the Auckland Classic, Oaks Stud Classic and the Japan Racing Association Classic.
List of winners  Year Winner Jockey Trainer(s) Time  Second  Third 2023 (Pukekohe)Campionessa 57Opie BossonMark Walker & Sam Bergerson 2:07.90 (soft, 2050m)No Compromise 59Aquacade 572022 (Pukekohe)Defibrillate 59Warren KennedyGraham Richardson & Rogan Norvall 2:05.37 (good, 2050m)  Prise De Fer 59Polly Grey 572021Tiptronic 59Ashvin GoindasamyGraham Richardson & Rogan Norvall2:05.15 (dead) Vernanme 59Two Illicit 572020Concert Hall 57 Vincent ColganRoger James & Robert Wellwood 2:01.93 (dead)Supera 57In A Twinkling 592019True Enough 59 James McDonaldMurray Baker & Andrew Forsman2:01.24 (good)Fiscal Fantasy 57Beauden 592018Danzdanzdance 56.5 Opie BossonChris Gibbs & Michelle Bradley2.08.18 (heavy)Lizzie L’Amour 57Jon Snow 592017Authentic Paddy 59 Trudy ThorntonLisa Latta, Awapuni 2.06.31 (dead)Lizzie L’Amour 57Volkstok’n’barrell 592016Consensus 57 Alysha CollettStephen McKee2.01.25 (good)Volkstok’n’barrell 59Authentic Paddy 592015Kawi 59 Leith InnesAllan Sharrock2.04.30 (good)Stolen Dance 56.5Authentic Paddy 592014Soriano 57 Rory HutchingsGraeme & Debbie Rogerson2.02.30 (good) Weregoingtogetcha 58.5Ponderosa Miss 56.52013Historian 59 Matthew CameronGary Alton2:05.99 (dead)O’Fille 57Soriano 56.52012Veyron 59 Rogan NorvallLinda Laing2:08.19 (dead)Shez Sinsational 57Shootoff 592011Shez Sinsational 56.5 James McDonaldAllan Sharrock2:02.34 (good)Veyron 59Doctor Freemantle 592010Booming 59 Vincent ColganJeff Lynds2:04.02 (good)Red Ruler 59Ginga Dude 592009  Vosne Romanee 59 Matthew CameronJeff Lynds2:00.60 (good)RecordRed Ruler 59Tell A Tale 58.52008Gallions Reach 59 Sam SprattRichard Yuill2:05.69 (dead)Willy Smith 59Overkaast2007Sir Slick 59 Bruce HerdGraeme Nicholson2:03.81 (dead)Xcellent 59Dezigna 592006Mikki Street Bruce HerdLisa Latta2:02.84 (good)SharvastiFiscal Madness2005 (Dec)  Bazelle 56Jason WaddellPaul Jenkins2:03.72 (dead)Kind Return 56Focal Point 562005 (Jan)  St Reims 58.5Leith InnesChris McNab2:03.33 (good)Distinctly Secret 58.5Lashed 572004 Lashed 55.5Opie BossonGraeme Rogerson & Stephen Autridge2:02.62 (good)Penny Gem 55.5El Duce 58.52003Hail 58.5Greg ChildsBruce & Stephen Marsh2:04.52 (good)Miss Potential 58Doyle 562002Giovana 57Peter JohnsonCarol Marshall2:02.88 (good)La Bella Dama 55.5Hill Of Grace 572001Zonda 58.5Damien OliverRoger James2:05.81 (dead)Giovana 58Cronus 552000Rebel 58.5Linda BallantyneVal Langsford2:04.11 (good)Aerosmith 58Integrate 581999Del Coronado 58.5Paul TaylorColin Jillings & Richard Yuill2:01.24 (good)All In Fun 58Greenstone Charm 581998Vialli 58.5Shane DyeDave & Paul O'Sullivan2:04.49 (good)Bubble 58Gypsy Soul 56+ The race was moved from January to December in 2005.
Ellerslie Boxing day meeting On this day, as well as the Zabeel Classic, Ellerslie holds 9 other races including: * the Uncle Remus Stakes - 1400m 3YO set weight plus penalties $80,000 (2021). * the Eight Carat Classic - Group 2, 1600m 3YO fillies set weight $120,000 (2021). * the Hallmark Stud Handicap - 1200m Open $80,000 (2021). * the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final - special conditions $90,000 (2021).All 10 races at the 2021 meeting had stakes of $60,000 or more.
See also * Auckland Cup*  Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes*  New Zealand International/Herbie Dyke Stakes* New Zealand Derby* Captain Cook Stakes* Thorndon Mile* Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand
References *  N.Z. Thoroughbred Racing Inc.* http://www.racenet.com.au* http://www.nzracing.co.nz* http://www.tab.co.nz* http://www.racebase.co.nz* ''The Great Decade of New Zealand racing 1970-1980''. Glengarry, Jack. William Collins Publishers Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand. * ''New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2018 (47th edition)''. Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. * ''New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2017 (46th edition)''. Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. * ''New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2008 (37th edition)''. Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand. * ''New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2005 (34th edition)''. Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand. * ''New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2004 (33rd edition)''. Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand. * ''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. * ''New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1982 (Eleventh edition)''. Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. * ''New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1981 (Tenth edition)''. Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. * ''New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1980 (Ninth edition)''. Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. * ''New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1979 (Eighth edition)''.Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. * ''New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1978 (Seventh edition)''.Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. * ''New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1976''. Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland.