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.

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: Television New Zealand Stakes (until 1991) Auckland Stakes (1992) Bluebird Foods Classic (1993) Auckland Classic (1994) Oaks Stud Classic Japan Racing Association Classic.

Up to 2005 the race was held in early January but it is now held on Boxing Day.

List of winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer(s) Time Second Third 2025 Kingswood 59Rory Hutchings Gavin Bedggood, Cranbourne, Aust. 2:06.40 (soft)Jaarffi 57Legarto 572024 Snazzytavi 57 Warren Kennedy Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall 2:04.04 (soft) La Crique 57 El Vencedor 59 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 572021 Tiptronic 59Ashvin GoindasamyGraham Richardson & Rogan Norvall2:05.15 (dead) Vernanme 59Two Illicit 572020 Concert Hall 57 Vincent ColganRoger James & Robert Wellwood 2:01.93 (dead)Supera 57In A Twinkling 592019 True Enough 59 James McDonaldMurray Baker & Andrew Forsman2:01.24 (good)Fiscal Fantasy 57Beauden 592018 Danzdanzdance 56.5 Opie BossonChris Gibbs & Michelle Bradley2.08.18 (heavy)Lizzie L’Amour 57Jon Snow 592017 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2018 (47th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.Authentic Paddy 59 Trudy ThorntonLisa Latta, Awapuni 2.06.31 (dead)Lizzie L’Amour 57Volkstok’n’barrell 592016 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2017 (46th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.Consensus 57 Alysha CollettStephen McKee2.01.25 (good)Volkstok’n’barrell 59Authentic Paddy 592015 Kawi 59 Leith InnesAllan Sharrock2.04.30 (good)Stolen Dance 56.5Authentic Paddy 592014 Soriano 57 Rory HutchingsGraeme & Debbie Rogerson2.02.30 (good) Weregoingtogetcha 58.5Ponderosa Miss 56.52013 Historian 59 Matthew CameronGary Alton2:05.99 (dead)O’Fille 57Soriano 56.52012 Veyron 59 Rogan NorvallLinda Laing2:08.19 (dead)Shez Sinsational 57Shootoff 592011 Shez Sinsational 56.5 James McDonaldAllan Sharrock2:02.34 (good)Veyron 59Doctor Freemantle 592010 Booming 59 Vincent ColganJeff Lynds2:04.02 (good)Red Ruler 59Ginga Dude 592009 Vosne Romanee 59 Matthew CameronJeff Lynds2:00.60 (good)Red Ruler 59Tell A Tale 58.52008 Gallions Reach 59 Sam SprattRichard Yuill2:05.69 (dead)Willy Smith 59Overkaast2007 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2008 (37th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand.Sir Slick 59 Bruce HerdGraeme Nicholson2:03.81 (dead)Xcellent 59Dezigna 592006 Mikki Street 59Bruce HerdLisa Latta2:02.84 (good)Sharvasti 56Fiscal Madness 592005 (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 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2005 (34th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand.Lashed 55.5Opie BossonGraeme Rogerson & Stephen Autridge2:02.62 (good)Penny Gem 55.5El Duce 58.52003 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2004 (33rd edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand.Hail 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 581999 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2000 (29th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.Del 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 561997 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1997 (26th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New ZealandCaptain Moonlight 52.25 Darren Beadman Stephen Autridge2:05.97 (firm)Vialli 58.5Pakaraka Star 58.51995 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1995 (24th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New ZealandStar Dancer 57G L CooksleyB J Wallace2:05.50 (firm)Ball Park 58.5Lord Majestic 58.51994 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1994 (23rd edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Meadowset Publishing, Auckland, New Zealand All In Fun 57Jim Collett T J McDonald 2:04.76 (firm)The Phantom 58.5 Shatin Heights 51 1993Staring 55.5Noel Harris Murray Baker 2:03.08 (firm)Perlia Bay 49.5On The Beach 571992Seamist 56.5Tony AllanJ F Parsons 2:01.70 (firm)Lurestina 56.5Cool Reception 571991New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1991 (20th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New ZealandRay's Hope 57Lisa CroppK P Verner 2:10.16 (heavy)Mickey's Town 58Brown Jumper 581990 (Apr)Horlicks 57Lance O'SullivanDave & Paul O'Sullivan 2:11.12 (heavy)Mickey's Town 57Mr Brooker 581989 (Apr)Trissaring 57David Peake 2:03.65 (good) Sirstaci 57 Bonecrusher 581988 (Apr)Horlicks 56Noel HarrisDave & Paul O'Sullivan 2:03.72 (good)Bonecrusher 58Sounds Like Fun 561987 (Apr)New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1987 (16th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New ZealandField Dancer 57M ColemanJim Gibbs & Roger James 2:01.97 (good)Greatness 58Cool Deal 561986 (Apr)Waverley Star 53.5Lance O'SullivanDave & Paul O'Sullivan 1:59.99 (good) Solveig 56 Santanea 57

+ 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 Westbury Stud Royal Descent Stakes - 1400m for fillies and mares - $90,000 (2024). the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers Championship Final - 2400m special conditions $125,000 (2024) the Auckland Guineas - Group 2, 1400m for 3YO horses - $270,000 (2024) the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final - special conditions $110,000 (2024). the Eight Carat Classic - Group 2, 1600m 3YO fillies set weight $270,000 (2024).

All 10 races at the 2024 meeting had stakes of $80,000 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

Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips New Zealand Horse Racing Statistics and Information - RaceBase The Great Decade of New Zealand racing 1970-1980. Glengarry, Jack. William Collins Publishers Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand.