Zabeel Classic

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 Auckland Classic, Oaks Stud Classic and the Japan Racing Association Classic.

It is held on Boxing Day, a raceday steeped in tradition that frequently attracts in excess of 20,000 Aucklanders to the famous course. Up to 2005 the race was held in early January.

List of winners

+ 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.
• 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.