# 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. 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 |
| 2024 | Snazzytavi 57 | Warren Kennedy | Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall | 2:04.04 (soft) | La Crique 57 | El Vencedor 59 |
| 2023 (Pukekohe) | Campionessa 57 | Opie Bosson | Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson | 2:07.90 (soft, 2050m) | No Compromise 59 | Aquacade 57 |
| 2022(Pukekohe) | Defibrillate 59 | Warren Kennedy | Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall | 2:05.37 (good, 2050m) | Prise De Fer 59 | Polly Grey 57 |
| 2021 | Tiptronic 59 | Ashvin Goindasamy | Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall | 2:05.15 (dead) | Vernanme 59 | Two Illicit 57 |
| 2020 | Concert Hall 57 | Vincent Colgan | Roger James & Robert Wellwood | 2:01.93 (dead) | Supera 57 | In A Twinkling 59 |
| 2019 | True Enough 59 | James McDonald | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | 2:01.24 (good) | Fiscal Fantasy 57 | Beauden 59 |
| 2018 | Danzdanzdance 56.5 | Opie Bosson | Chris Gibbs & Michelle Bradley | 2.08.18 (heavy) | Lizzie L’Amour 57 | Jon Snow 59 |
| 2017 | Authentic Paddy 59 | Trudy Thornton | Lisa Latta, Awapuni | 2.06.31 (dead) | Lizzie L’Amour 57 | Volkstok’n’barrell 59 |
| 2016 | Consensus 57 | Alysha Collett | Stephen McKee | 2.01.25 (good) | Volkstok’n’barrell 59 | Authentic Paddy 59 |
| 2015 | Kawi 59 | Leith Innes | Allan Sharrock | 2.04.30 (good) | Stolen Dance 56.5 | Authentic Paddy 59 |
| 2014 | Soriano 57 | Rory Hutchings | Graeme & Debbie Rogerson | 2.02.30 (good) | Weregoingtogetcha 58.5 | Ponderosa Miss 56.5 |
| 2013 | Historian 59 | Matthew Cameron | Gary Alton | 2:05.99 (dead) | O’Fille 57 | Soriano 56.5 |
| 2012 | Veyron 59 | Rogan Norvall | Linda Laing | 2:08.19 (dead) | Shez Sinsational 57 | Shootoff 59 |
| 2011 | Shez Sinsational 56.5 | James McDonald | Allan Sharrock | 2:02.34 (good) | Veyron 59 | Doctor Freemantle 59 |
| 2010 | Booming 59 | Vincent Colgan | Jeff Lynds | 2:04.02 (good) | Red Ruler 59 | Ginga Dude 59 |
| 2009 | Vosne Romanee 59 | Matthew Cameron | Jeff Lynds | 2:00.60 (good) Record | Red Ruler 59 | Tell A Tale 58.5 |
| 2008 | Gallions Reach 59 | Sam Spratt | Richard Yuill | 2:05.69 (dead) | Willy Smith 59 | Overkaast |
| 2007 | Sir Slick 59 | Bruce Herd | Graeme Nicholson | 2:03.81 (dead) | Xcellent 59 | Dezigna 59 |
| 2006 | Mikki Street | Bruce Herd | Lisa Latta | 2:02.84 (good) | Sharvasti | Fiscal Madness |
| 2005 (Dec) | Bazelle 56 | Jason Waddell | Paul Jenkins | 2:03.72 (dead) | Kind Return 56 | Focal Point 56 |
| 2005 (Jan) | St Reims 58.5 | Leith Innes | Chris McNab | 2:03.33 (good) | Distinctly Secret 58.5 | Lashed 57 |
| 2004 | Lashed 55.5 | Opie Bosson | Graeme Rogerson & Stephen Autridge | 2:02.62 (good) | Penny Gem 55.5 | El Duce 58.5 |
| 2003 | Hail 58.5 | Greg Childs | Bruce & Stephen Marsh | 2:04.52 (good) | Miss Potential 58 | Doyle 56 |
| 2002 | Giovana 57 | Peter Johnson | Carol Marshall | 2:02.88 (good) | La Bella Dama 55.5 | Hill Of Grace 57 |
| 2001 | Zonda 58.5 | Damien Oliver | Roger James | 2:05.81 (dead) | Giovana 58 | Cronus 55 |
| 2000 | Rebel 58.5 | Linda Ballantyne | Val Langsford | 2:04.11 (good) | Aerosmith 58 | Integrate 58 |
| 1999 | Del Coronado 58.5 | Paul Taylor | Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill | 2:01.24 (good) | All In Fun 58 | Greenstone Charm 58 |
| 1998 | Vialli 58.5 | Shane Dye | Dave & Paul O'Sullivan | 2:04.49 (good) | Bubble 58 | Gypsy 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 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.