# Livamol Classic

The Livamol Classic is a weight-for-age Thoroughbred horse race run at Hastings Racecourse in Hawke's Bay and was at one stage New Zealand's richest horse race. It is run at a distance of 2,040 metres (1.27 mi). The race is run in October. The weather in the Hawke's Bay's means the track conditions are usually excellent.
The race is the part of the Triple Crown raced at Hastings Racecourse, along with the 1,400-metre (0.87 mi) Tarzino Trophy, which was previously known as the Makfi Challenge Stakes or Mudgway Stakes, and the 1,600-metre (0.99 mi) Arrowfield Stud Plate, which was previously known as the Windsor Park Plate, Stony Bridge Stakes and Horlicks Plate.
Many of New Zealand's best thoroughbred horses have raced in the various Triple Crown events. A number of horses managed to win two of the three races and some were beaten into second in the third leg. On 5 October 2019. Melody Belle was the first horse to win all three of the Hawkes Bay Triple Crown races.

## History

The race was originally known as the Ormond Memorial and took place on the second day of the autumn carnival until the 1985/86 season when it was moved to the Spring.
From 1991 to 2009 the race was sponsored by Kelt Capital Limited, and in particular the owner thereof Sam Kelt, a strong supporter of New Zealand and particularly Hawke's Bay racing.
1996 would see it gain Group 1 status and the distance changed from 2000m to 2040m.
The growth in prize money was substantial in the decade up to 2008. In 2000 it was worth $250,000; in 2002 it was the equal richest race in New Zealand at $500,000 and in 2004 it was New Zealand's first million-dollar race. The race was worth $2,000,000 in 2007 and 2008, but the stake had to be reduced to $1,200,000 in 2009 as that level was deemed unsustainable. In 2010 the stake was reduced to $250,000, below several major races in New Zealand but still slightly ahead in terms of weight-for-age races.
In 2010, after the cessation of the Kelt sponsorship, the Ormond Memorial name was modified in recognition of Lady Katherine (Kit) Acklin née Ormond who had recently died.

### Name

* Ormond Memorial (1955–1990)
* Kelt Capital Stakes (1991–2009)
* Kit Ormond Memorial (2010)
* NZB Insurance Spring Classic (2011–2012)
* The Turks Spring Classic (2013)
* Livamol Classic (2014–present)

### Group status

* 1955-1978 (Stakes Race)
* 1979-1992 (Group 3)
* 1993-1995 (Group 2)
* 1996- (Group 1)

## Notable winners

* Balmerino (1977) NZ Horse of the Year (1976) and winner of the Rawson Stakes (1976) and the Brisbane Cup (1976)
* Castletown (1991) New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame stayer and three-time winner of the Wellington Cup (1991, 1992, 1994) also won the Auckland Cup (1992) and the Caulfield Stakes (1992)
* Jimmy Choux (2011) Champion 3 year old, 5 time group 1 winner and 2011 New Zealand Horse of the Year
* La Mer (1978, 1979) Champion mare and 1977 New Zealand Horse of the Year
* Lomondy (1986) Winner of the Adelaide Cup (1986), Brisbane Cup (1986) and the Caulfield Cup (1986)
* Melody Belle (2019, 2020) Champion mare with 14 group 1 races to her name. Two time New Zealand Horse of the Year (2019, 2020)
* Redcraze (1955) Who went to win the Caulfield Cup (1956) and the Cox Plate (1957)
* Solvit (1994) Winner of the Cox Plate (1994)
* Veandercross (1992) 8 time group 1 winner and 1993 Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year
* Xcellent (2005) Champion 3 year old and two time New Zealand Horse of the Year (2005, 2006)

## Results

| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time | Second | Third |
| 2024 | Snazzytavi 57 | Warren Kennedy | Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall, Matamata | 2:06.58 (soft), Te Rapa | Hi Yo Sass Bomb 57 | No Compromise 59 |
| 2023 | Ladies Man 59 | Ryan Elliott | Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth | 2:04.79 (good) | Platinum Invador 59 | Pearl Of Alsace 57 |
| 2022 | Mustang Valley 55.5 | Michael McNab | Andrew Forsman, Cambridge | 2:13.83 (heavy) | Justaskme 59 | Defibrillate 59 |
| 2021 | Savy Yong Blonk 57 | Danielle Johnson | Jamie Richards, Matamata | 2:04.50 (good) | Harlech 59 | Prise De Fer 59 |
| 2020 | Melody Belle 57 | Troy Harris | Jamie Richards, Matamata | 2:10.12 (heavy) | Avantage 57 | Vadavar 59 |
| 2019 | Melody Belle 57 | Opie Bosson | Jamie Richards, Matamata | 2:05.45 (good) | Peso 59 | Crown Prosecutor 57.5 |
| 2018 | Savvy Coup 55.5 | Chris Johnson | Michael & Matthew Pitman, Riccarton | 2:04.08 (good) | Lizzie L'Amour 57 | Danzdanzdance 55.5 |
| 2017 | Wait a Sec 59 | Johnathan Parkes | Guy Lowry & Grant Cullen, Hastings | 2:05.59 (good) | Gingernuts 57.5 | Endean Rose 57 |
| 2016 | Willie Cazals (IRE) 59 | Craig Grylls | Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott, Matamata | 2:09.75 (heavy) | Humidor 57.5 | Hasselhoof 59 |
| 2015 | Addictive Habit 59 | Sam Spratt | Lee Somervell, Cambridge | 2:05.77 (good) | Benzini 59 | Celebrity Miss 57 |
| 2014 | Costume 57 | Michael Coleman | Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Tuhikaramea | 2:02.66 (good) | Shuka 59 | Soriano 57 |
| 2013 | Ransomed 59 | Johnathan Parkes | Gary Vile, Awapuni | 2:04.21 (good) | Nashville 59 | Survived 57.5 |
| 2012 | Shez Sinsational 57 | Opie Bosson | Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth | 2:04.89 (good) | Guiseppina 57 | He's Remarkable 59 |
| 2011 | Jimmy Choux 57.5 | Jonathan Riddell | John Bary, Hastings | 2:06.24 (good) | Red Ruler 59 | Hold It Harvey 59 |
| 2010 | Wall Street 59 | Michael Coleman | Jeff Lynds, Awapuni | 2:02.97 (good) | Ginga Dude 59 | Keep The Peace 55.5 |
| 2009 | Vosne Romanee 59 | Buddy Lammas | Jeff Lynds, Awapuni | 2:08.42 (soft) | Ginga Dude 59 | Miss Maren 57 |
| 2008 | Princess Coup 56.5 | Opie Bosson | Mark Walker, Matamata | 2:04.58 (good) | Red Ruler 57.5 | Nom Du Jeu 57.5 |
| 2007 | Princess Coup 55 | Noel Harris | Mark Walker, Matamata | 2:04.16 (good) | J'Adane 55 | Magic Cape 57.5 |
| 2006 | Legs 55 | Lisa Cropp | Kevin Gray, Awapuni | 2:03.82 (soft) | Kerry O'Reilly 59 | Seachange 55 |
| 2005 | Xcellent 57 | Michael Coleman | Mike & Paul Moroney, Matamata | 2:03.21 (good) | Distinctly Secret 59 | Waitoki Dream 59 |
| 2004 | Balmuse 59 | Jamie Bullard | Kevin Myers, Wanganui | 2:05.03 (soft) | Starcraft 57 | Zafar 59 |
| 2003 | Distinctly Secret 59 | Opie Bosson | Mark Walker, Matamata | 2:03.64 (good) | Hail 59 | Irish Rover 59 |
| 2002 | Prized Gem 56.5 | Michael Rodd | Murray Baker, Cambridge | 2:04.10 (good) | Distinctly Secret 57 | Hail 57 |
| 2001 | Cinder Bella 56 | Lance O'Sullivan | Karen Zimmerman, Otaki | 2:03.31 (good) | Trounced 56 | Hello Dolly 59 |
| 2000 | The Message 59 | Linda Ballantyne | John Ralph, Te Rapa | 2:03.91 (soft) | Integrate 56 | Magic Winner 56 |
| 1999 | Cent Home 57 | David Walker | Jim Wallace, Opaki | 2:02.16 (good) | Rebel 57 | Batavian 59 |
| 1998 | Just Call Me Sir 47.5 | Trudy Collett | Moira Murdoch, Pukekohe | 2:04.06 (good) | Batavian 48 | Fayreform 59 |
| 1997 | Moss Downs 59 | Michael Coleman | Chris McNab, Hastings | 2:03.63 (soft) | Vialli 59 | Magnet Bay 59 |
| 1996 | Love Dance 56.5 | Gary Grylls | Bev & Ken Kelso, Matamata | 2:03.41 (soft) | Marconee 56 | Lord Majestic 59 |
| 1995 | Italian Saint 59 | Tony Allan | Noel Eales, Awapuni | 2:04.88 (soft) | Solvit 59 | All In Fun 59 |
| 1994 | Solvit 59 | David Walsh | Moira Murdoch, Pukekohe | 2:00.16 (good) | All In Fun 59 | A Gordon For Me 59 |
| 1993 | Calm Harbour 59 | Lance O'Sullivan | Noel Eales, Awapuni | 1:59.70 (good) | Solvit 59 | Castletown 59 |
| 1992 | Veandercross 57 | Jim Walker | Chris Turner, Wanganui | 2:09.81 (soft) | Conan 57 | Castletown 59 |
| 1991 | Castletown 59 | Noel Harris | Paddy Busuttin, Foxton | 2:04.71 (good) | Surfers Paradise 59 | Megabucks 57 |
| 1990 | Timandra Steed 59 | David Johnson | James Clement, Hawera | 2:00.03 (good) | Street Hawk 59 | Mickey's Town 59 |
| 1989 | Lomondy 59 | David Walsh | Noel Eales, Awapuni | 2:12.01 (heavy) | Gatcombe's Pride 59 | Fairfield Lad 59 |
| 1988 | Classic Bay 59 | Ross Elliot | Merv Andrews, Awapuni | 2:10.23 | | |
| 1987 | Secret Seal 59 | Noel Harris | Jeff Lynds, Awapuni | 2:04.15 | | |
| 1986 | Lomondy 59 | Jim Walker | Noel Eales, Awapuni | 2:06.42 | | |
| 1985 (Spring) | Always Summer 56.5 | David Walsh | Don Grubb, Fielding | 2:04.20 | | |
| 1985 (Autumn) | Deb's Mate 59 | Debbie Healey | H S Wadham, Pukekohe | 2:12.70 | | |
| 1984 | Commissionaire 58 | Jim Cassidy | Noel Eales, Awapuni | 2:02.57 | | |
| 1983 | Commissionaire 58 | Jim Cassidy | Noel Eales, Awapuni | 2:03.43 | | |
| 1982 | Ruanuku 58 | Stephen Autridge | Miss L I Pratt, Cambridge | 2:15.95 | | |
| 1981 | Serendiper 58 | David Walsh | Mrs W L Sullivan, Te Rapa | 2:05.3 | | |
| 1980 | Harmanaire 53.5 | R Jenkins | T Nightingale, Hastings | 2:04.04 | | |
| 1979 | La Mer 57 | Des Harris | Malcolm Smith, New Plymouth | 2:03 | | |
| 1978 | La Mer 56 | Des Harris | Malcolm Smith, New Plymouth | 2:08.4 | | |
| 1977 | Balmerino 57 | M Campbell | B J Smith, Cambridge | 2:08.2 | Fraxy | |
| 1976 | Duty Free 58 | R Jenkins | Mrs A Fogden, Manakau | 2:12 | | |
| 1975 | Curly Wave 58 | Bruce Compton | G O Mudgway, Te Rapa | 2:04.8 | | |
| 1974 | Guest Star 53.5 | R C Franklin | I J & I R Tucker, Takanini | 2:19.8 | | |
| 1973 | Duty Free 9.2 | R J Fergus | Mrs A Fogden, Manakau | | | |
| 1972 | Count Kereru 9.2 | Garry Phillips | Miss A Bowman, Fielding | | | |
| 1971 | Game 9.2 | R. Bruce Marsh | K H Quinlivan, Hastings | | | |
| 1970 | Game 9.2 | R. Bruce Marsh | K H Quinlivan, Hastings | | | |
| 1969 | Game 9.2 | R. Bruce Marsh | K H Quinlivan, Hastings | | | |
| 1968 | Dalvui 9.2 | Bill Skelton | D Jones, Hastings | | | |
| 1967 | Terrific 9.0 | G F Hughes | M & F Ritchie, Ellerslie | | | |
| 1966 | Palisade 9.2 | Bob Skelton | D P Wilson, Wingatui | | | |
| 1965 | Empyreus 8.6 | R W Taylor | K H Quinlivan, Hastings | | | |
| 1964 | Tatua 9.0 | G R Edge | W J Pratt, Te Awamutu | | | |
| 1963 | Picaroon 9.2 | B J Langford | K H Quinlivan, Hastings | | | |
| 1962 | Moy 8.12 | K S Cullen | K Couper, Hastings | | | |
| 1961 | Picaroon 9.2 | J Anderson | K H Quinlivan, Hastings | | | |
| 1960 | Picaroon 9.2 | J Anderson | K H Quinlivan, Hastings | | | |
| 1959 | Supertax 9.0 | V J Sellars | T C Alcock, Pukekohe | | | |
| 1958 (Dead Heat) | Rover 8.6 | W L Aitken | T B Mcneil, Hastings | | | |
| 1958 (Dead Heat) | Savage 8.6 | V J Sellars | E Temperton, Awapuni | | | |
| 1957 | Pinnacle Ridge 9.0 | Bill Broughton | V E Bryant, Foxton | | | |
| 1956 | Syntax 8.6 | N B Holland | S Walker, Hamilton | | | |
| 1955 | Redcraze 9.0 | V J Sellars | Syd Brown, Woodville | | | |