# Easter Handicap

The Easter Handicap or Easter Stakes is a major horse race held at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand. It is raced over a distance of 1,600 metres (approximately 1 mile) by three-year-old and upwards thoroughbreds.

## Race history

Although previously a Group 1 race, from 2017 it was reclassified to Group 2 and from 2022 to Group 3 level.
In 2016, the conditions of the race changed from a handicap to set weight and penalties, but reverted back to handicap conditions in 2018.
The race has been won by many of New Zealand's greatest milers, including Kindergarten (twice), Sleepy Fox (four times) and Grey Way.
The Easter Handicap is now raced in late April on the same date as the Championship Stakes.

## Winners Since 1965

| Year | Winner | Sire | Dam | Jockey | Trainer | Time | Second | Third |
| 2024 (Te Rapa) | Snazzytavi 53 | Tavistock | Ritzy Lady | Warren Kennedy | Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall | 1.36.89 (soft) | Chattahoochie 53 | Channel Surfer 53 |
| 2023 (Pukekohe) | White Noise | El Roca | White Nymph | Michael NcNab | Andrew Forsman | 1:42.54 (heavy) | Habana 57 | Tavattack 58 |
| 2022 (Pukekohe) | Carolina Reaper 53 | Vespa | Bonney Pepper | Ashvin Goindasamy (a) | Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall, Matamata | 1:37.73 (Good) | Brando 57.5 | True Enough 59 |
| 2021 | Demonetization 55 | All Too Hard | Midnight Special | Samantha Collett | Nigel Tiley, Pukekohe | 1:38.72 (Slow) | Hasabro 52 | Marroni 52 |
| 2020 | Race not held | | | | | | | |
| 2019 | Endless Drama 59 | Lope De Vega (Ire) | Desert Drama (Ire) | Leith Innes | Tony Pike, Cambridge | 1:33.45 | Watch This Space 55 | Yearn 52 |
| 2018 (Pukekohe) | Megablast 57.5 | Shinko King (Ire) | Thirst | Michael Coleman | Nigel Tiley, Pukekohe | 1:42.32 | Brighton 52 | Romancer 52.5 |
| 2017 | Seventh Up 55 | Shinko King (Ire) | Regelle | Grant Cooksley | Shelley Hale | 1:36.04 | Hiflyer 55 | Let Me Roar 53 |
| 2016 | Sound Proposition 55 | Savabeel | Ebony Babe | Michael Coleman | Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott, Matamata | 1:33.29 | Trojan Warrior 55 | Rasa Lila 54 |
| 2015 | Pondarosa Miss 52 | High Chaparral (Ire) | Bak Da Princess | Daniel Hain | Peter Hollinshead | 1:38.50 | Vespa 52 | Kawi 55.5 |
| 2014 | Albany Reunion 52.5 | Fastnet Rock (Aus) | Secret Silence (Aus) | Mark Du Plessis | Nigel Tiley, Pukekohe | 1:35.28 | Chintz 55 | Rollout The Carpet (Aus) 52 |
| 2013 | Viadana 57.5 | Towkay (Aus) | Yeah Nah | Mark Du Plessis | Lance Noble, Matamata | 1:34.62 | Postmans Daughter 56.5 | Our Famous Eve 53.5 |
| 2012 | Veyron 59 | Thorn Park (Aus) | Over The Limit | Rogan Norvall | Linda Laing, Cambridge | 1:35.40 | Postmans Daughter 54 | Fleur De Lune 54.5 |
| 2011 | Veyron 57 | Thorn Park (Aus) | Over The Limit | Rogan Norvall | Linda Laing, Cambridge | 1:38.79 | Fears Nothing 55 | Sir Slick 59 |
| 2010 | Time Keeper 51 | Stravinsky (USA) | Organdy (USA) | Mark Sweeney | Graeme Nicholson & Paul Allbon, Pukekohe | 1:34.20 | November Rain 51 | Sir Slick 59 |
| 2009 | Prince Kaapstad 53 | Kaapstad | Brilliant Princess | Samantha Spratt | Richard Yuill | 1:35.10 | Irish Opera 52.5 | My Astron 56 |
| 2008 | Pasta Post 54 | Postponed (USA) | Blue Heaven | Craig Grylls | Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu | 1:33.02 | Sterling Prince 53 | Culminate 53 |
| 2007 | Floydeboy 55 | Mallifont (USA) | Fleche D’or | Mark Hills | Bernard Dyke, Cambridge | 1:37.80 | Dezigna 56.5 | Polish Princess (GB) 51 |
| 2006 | Rags To Riches 53.5 | Entrepreneur (GB) | Candescent | Michael Coleman | Ralph Manning, Cambridge | 1:35.41 | Korau Road 52.5 | La Sizeranne 54 |
| 2005 | Calveen 54 | Canny Lad (Aus) | Calvinia (Aus) | Cameron Lammas | Lance O'Sullivan, Matamata | 1:35.16 | Kristov 56 | British Ensign 54 |
| 2004 | Pomp and Glory 54 | Pompeii Court (USA) | Aptitude | Opie Bosson | Alan & Brett Mcdonald, Cambridge | 1:32.29 | Rodrigo Rose 52.5 | Jet Ski 54 |
| 2003 | Sedecrem 54.5 | Faltaat (USA) | Real Trier (Aus) | Grant Cooksley | Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill, Takanini | 1:33.95 | Jet Ski 54 | Millennium 53 |
| 2002 | Honor Bound 55 | Honor Grades (USA) | America | Lance O'Sullivan | Terry Wenn, Te Aroha | 1:34.74 | Jet Ski 55 | St Therese (Aus) 52 |
| 2001 | Magic Winner 54 | Mighty Grey (Aus) | Hagen's Pride | Mark Sweeney | Graeme & Debbie Sanders, Te Awamutu | 1:37.85 | O’Malley's Boy 54 | Conference 57 |
| 2000 | Zayyad 53.5 | Mohamed Abdu (Ire) | Pompeii Girl | Matthew Williamson | Robbie Sims, Pukekohe | 1:36.37 | Cinder Bella 54 | Resonare 56 |
| 1999 | Oregon Power 54.5 | Oregon (USA) | Gypsy Invader | Michelle Wenn (Brooks) | Jim Gibbs & Eric Betty, Matamata | 1:33.18 | Intergrate (AUS) 54 | The Mighty Finn 56 |
| 1998 | Aimee Jay 52 | Famous Star (Ire) | Mini Mandy | Kelly Davidson | Aiden Schumacher, Stratford | 1:32.3 | Fatal 52 | Oregon Power 53 |
| 1997 | Moss Downs 50.5 | Toms Shu (USA) | La Moss | Lance O'Sullivan | Chris McNab | 1:32.34 | Jazzac 50 | Secret Hero 54 |
| 1996 | Cactus Jack 49.5 | Foxbay | Barbara Jan | Toby Brett | David Cole | 1:36.3 | Magnet Bay 50 | Roys Boy 52.5 |
| 1995 | Pakaraka Star 49.5 | Starjo | Royal Vain | Trudy Thornton | Sidney Gulliver, Waverley | 1:41.26 | Matsqui (Aus) | Roys Boy 52 |
| 1994 | Ball Park 53 | Ahonoora (GB) | Tears For Fears (Aus) | Tony Allan | Michael Moroney & Graham Richardson, Matamata | 1:34.16 | Lord Tridan 58 | Cuidado 57 |
| 1993 | Moire 51 | Crested Wave (USA) | Little Tern (Ire) | Lisa Cropp | Carl Peterson, Te Awamutu | 1:34.38 | Kiwi Golfer 51 | Mahoenui Lass 49.8 |
| 1992 | Carson's Cash 51.5 | Lord Ballina (Aus) | Cashelmara | Vincent Colgan | Roger James, Cambridge | 1:33.94 | Balmacara 52 | Mr Impose 51 |
| 1991 | Rays Hope 51.3 | Star Way (GB) | Belltello | Lisa Cropp | Kerry Verner, Takanini | 1:35.2 | Javelin 51.8 | Seamist 53.3 |
| 1990 | Status 52 | Truly Vain (Aus) | Georgie | Grant Cooksley | Jack Georgetti | 1:33.66 | Echo Lass 50.5 | Pikorrie 50 |
| 1989 | Regal City 56 | Licorice Stick | Gay City | Debbie Healey | Jim Gibbs, Matamata | 1:32.67 | Trissaring 50.5 | Squire Gray 53 |
| 1988 | Sirstaci 52 | Silver Dream (GB) | Eustaci | Tony Allan | Peter Simpson, Cambridge | 1:34.55 | Bourbon Boy 55.5 | Ticavaboy 51.5 |
| 1987 | Field Dancer 50 | Star Way (GB) | Field Nymph | Michael Coleman | Jim Gibbs & Roger James, Matamata | 1:38.10 | Arctic Wolf 51.5 | Star Pride 48 |
| 1986 | Cosmetique 49 | Barcas (USA) | Lizabeth | Gary Grylls | Bill Ford & Roger Verry, Matamata | 1:34.40 | Waverley Star 51.5 | Infinite Secret 50 |
| 1985 | Eastern Joy 50 | Three Legs (GB) | Diatrelic | Lance O'Sullivan | Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata | 1:36.54 | Magnitude 52 | Atraper 55.5 |
| 1984 | Idaho's Gift 56.5 | Rich Gift (GB) | Veruschka | Earl Harrison | Don Couchman, Hawera | 1:33.28 | Macs Gamble 54 | Abit Leica 52.5 |
| 1983 | Clear Gold 55 | Bahroona (Ca) | Hebrew Gold | Grant Cooksley | I P Morton, Whakatane | 1:33.19 | Pride of Rosewood 53 | Debs Mate 57.5 |
| 1982 | Our Shah 56.6 | Shahram (GB) | Our Rene | Chris McNab | Dave & Paul O'Sullivan & Michael Moroney, Matamata | 1:37.84 | Asheen 50 | Givenchy 57.5 |
| 1981 | Shivaree 58 | Sharivari | Just a Lark | Garry Phillips | Dave O’Sullivan, Matamata | 1:41.04 | Master Grey 54 | River Queen 55 |
| 1980 | Silver Nymph 51.5 | Silver Dream (GB) | Crestello | Warwick Robinson | Gary Mudgway, Te Rapa | 1:37.05 | Heidelberg 52.5 | Stormee 56.5 |
| 1979 | Stipulwin 52.5 | Stipulate | Winnie’s Last | Paul Hillis | C Tatton, Cambridge | 1:40.57 | Aghios Nikalaos 51 | Heidelberg 52 |
| 1978 | Silver Wraith 51.25 | Silver Dream (GB) | Crestello | Peter Johnson | Laurie Laxon, Te Rapa | 1:34 | Orchida 54.5 | Shivaree 49.5 |
| 1977 | Grey Way 60.5 | Grey William (GB) | Waybrook | Bob Skelton | Pat Corboy, Washdyke | 1:34.74 | Vice Regal 52 | = Tudor light and Kiwi Can |
| 1976 | Tudor Light 56 | All A’Light | Elabama | Warwick Robinson | John Malcolm, Te Rapa | 1:35.7 | Shaitan 48 | Melody Belle 55 |
| 1975 | Kiwi Can 57.5 | Hasty Cloud (Ire) | Naughty Ngarie | Roger Lang | Fred Beguely, Matamata | 1:33.2 | Bay Sovereign 49 | Bay Boss 49.5 |
| 1974 | Turfcutter 50.5 | Oncidium (GB) | Entrancing Belle | Peter Johnson | Ray Verner, Takanini | 1:34.8 | Pheroz Jewel 51.5 | Curly Wave 51.5 |
| 1973 | Nordic Star 7.12 | Copenhagen II (GB) | Glamour Fair | Gary Willetts | Gestro & McEwan, Hawera | 1:43 | | |
| 1972 | Kia Marea 8.1 | Stunning (GB) | Kia U | John Grylls | Tom Mathieson, Hawera | 1:37 | | |
| 1971 | Evenstead 7.10 | Even Stevens | Lady Janice | Noel Riordan | Fred Phillips, Matangi | 1:35.8 | | |
| 1970 | Patrida 7.9 | Pharamond (Fra) | Forever | David Raklander | Stuart McColl, Woodville | 1:36 | | |
| 1969 | Choucuana | Minuit (GB) | Cousette | Rodney Heaslip | Bill Sanders, Te Awamutu | | | |
| 1968 | Tara's Pride | Pride of Kildare (Ire) | Fox Amber | Bill Skelton | Jim Didham, Stratford | | | |
| 1967 | Valiant Rebel | Resurgent (Ire) | Valiant Rose | David Peake | Pat McIllroy, Takanini | | | |
| 1966 | Rochdale | Alpheus (GB) | Fairy Treasure | J Humphries | Bill Sanders, Te Awamutu | | | |
| 1965 | My Call | Summertime (GB) | Often | David Raklander | Bill Sanders, Te Awamutu | | | |

## Previous winners

* 1964 - Tasman Sea
* 1963 - Final Command
* 1962 - Otematata
* 1961 - Waipari
* 1960 - Waipari
* 1959 - Marie Brizard
* 1958 - Japonica
* 1957 - Solepic
* 1956 - Coleridge
* 1955 - Fair Chance
* 1954 - Tesla
* 1953 - Misprint
* 1952 - Peter Boy
* 1951 - Wandering Ways
* 1950 - Lord Revel
* 1949 - Rosslare
* 1948 - Iwo Jima
* 1947 - Sleepy Fox
* 1946 - Sleepy Fox
* 1945 - Sleepy Fox
* 1944 - Sleepy Fox
* 1943 - Landveyor
* 1942 - Kindergarten
* 1941 - Kindergarten
* 1940 - Black Thread
* 1939 - Beaupartir
* 1938 - Francis Drake
* 1937 - Tooley Street
* 1936 - Royal Appellant
* 1935 - Red Manfred
* 1934 - Jonathan
* 1933 - Golden Wings
* 1932 - Great Star
* 1931 - Hunting Cry
* 1930 - Pegaway
* 1929 - Bright Glow
* 1928 - In The Shade
* 1927 - Civility
* 1926 - Reremoana
* 1925 - Reremoana
* 1924 - Hipo
* 1923 - Roseday
* 1922 - Grotesque
* 1921 - Silver Link
* 1920 - Gazique
* 1919 - Uncle Ned
* 1918 - Parisian Diamond
* 1917 - Menelaus
* 1916 - Chortle
* 1915 - Merry Roe
* 1914 - Ventura
* 1913 - Jack Delaval
* 1912 - Kakama
* 1911 - Antoinette
* 1910 - Waiari
* 1909 - Aborigine
* 1908 - Gold Crest
* 1907 - Waipuna
* 1906 - Mobility
* 1905 - Scotty
* 1904 - Regulation
* 1903 - Golden Rose
* 1902 - Nonette
* 1901 - Rosella
* 1900 - Advance
* 1899 - Rex
* 1898 - Rex
* 1897 - Day Star
* 1896 - Acone
* 1895 - Folly
* 1894 - Lottie
* 1893 - Impulse
* 1892 - Cynisca
* 1891 - Impulse
* 1890 - Hilda
* 1889 - Leorina
* 1888 - Friendship
* 1887 - Spade Guinea
* 1886 - Clogs
* 1885 - Turquoise
* 1884 - Radames/The Administrator
* 1883 - Leonora
* 1882 - Louie
* 1881 - King Quail
* 1880 - Yatapa
* 1879 - Yatapa
* 1878 - Elsa
* 1877 - Bide A Wee
* 1876 - Parawhenua
* 1875 - Yatterina
* 1874 - Batter