The 2026 Aotearoa Classic ran for the third time on Saturday January 24 at Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland, and was won in an impressive upset by Tuxedo!
| 2. Tuxedo (9) J: Opie Bosson57.5kg 17625T: Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray | ||
| 9. Hinekaha (4) J: Craig Grylls55.5kg X5111T: Andrew Forsman | ||
| 15. Knobelas (10) J: Craig Williams55.5kg 2X125T: Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr | ||
| 11. She's A Dealer (6) J: George Rooke55.5kg 5X114T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood | ||
| 3. Checkmate (5) J: Damian Lane57.5kg X9X03T: Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott | ||
| 13. Moxie (16) J: Logan Bates55.5kg 38114T: Ken Harrison | ||
| 12. Smart Love (1) J: Joe Doyle55.5kg 11148T: Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott | ||
| 14. Silver Wedding (14) J: Angela Jones55.5kg 56112T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 6. Yaldi (2) J: Matt Cartwright57.5kg X2464T: Andrew Forsman | ||
| 4. Dealt With (13) J: Rory Hutchings57.5kg 2X362T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood | ||
| 16. Sneak Peek (12) J: Ben Thompson55.5kg X2123T: Stephen Marsh | ||
| 5. Super Photon (15) J: Sam Weatherley57.5kg X9051T: Stephen Marsh | ||
| 1. Midnight Edition (8) J: Matthew Cameron57.5kg 22316T: Bruce Wallbank | ||
| 8. Inside Out (3) J: Kelly Myers57.5kg 5X220T: Darryn & Briar Weatherley | ||
| 10. Vegas Queen (7) J: Masa Hashizume55.5kg 51X11T: Kenny Rae | ||
| 7. Golden Wings (11) J: Bruno Queiroz57.5kg 21412T: Hanna Orting and Sophia Nolan |
Aotearoa Classic Info
- 2026 Aotearoa Classic Date: Saturday the 24th of January 2026
- Edition: 3rd (2026)
- Track Location: Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland, New Zealand
- Distance: 1,600m
- Conditions: Set Weights - 4YOs
- Status: Restricted Listed
- Prize Money (NZ): $1,000,000
- First Run: 2024
- Reigning Aotearoa Classic Winner: Tuxedo (2026)
Looking for the latest Aotearoa Classic betting odds, insider racing tips and form for the million-dollar Ellerslie race this January? The TAB NZ have all the best betting guides and statistics to make informed bets on the Aotearoa Classic this summer!
The Restricted Listed Aotearoa Classic is a crucial mile test for New Zealand’s top four-year-old racehorses. It is one of the newest races held each summer and takes place at Auckland’s Ellerslie Racecourse on the last Saturday of January as part of the famous Karaka Millions Night conducted by the Auckland Racing Club.
It is the only New Zealand feature race solely for four-year-old horses, and it is the Kiwi equivalent to Australia’s famous Group 1 AU$10 million The Golden Eagle run in November at Rosehill in Sydney.
To improve your chances of predicting the next Aotearoa Classic winner, access the latest Aotearoa Classic odds and tips online at the TAB NZ.
TAB NZ provides in-depth analysis, form guides, and betting insights to help you navigate the competitive field of summer contenders.
Whether you’re a seasoned punter or new to betting on the horse races in New Zealand, our comprehensive Aotearoa Classic coverage has everything you need.
Get behind your Aotearoa Classic tips and best bets at the right price this summer with the TAB NZ!
Aotearoa Classic Fast Facts
- Inaugural Aotearoa Classic Winner: Desert Lightning (2024)
- Latest Aotearoa Classic Winning Mare: Orchestral (2025)
- Reigning Aotearoa Classic Winner: Tuxedo (2026)
- Notable Fact: Legarto ran second as the beaten odds-on favourite at $1.30 in the opening edition of the event!
Bet on the next Aotearoa Classic now!
Aotearoa Classic Betting Info
Aotearoa Classic betting is open months ahead of the Restricted Listed Ellerslie, summer mile race for four-year-olds at the TAB NZ.
We offer pre-nomination Aotearoa Classic betting odds throughout the year that are known as futures Aotearoa Classic odds online.
All-In Aotearoa Classic betting markets are then available following the official Aotearoa Classic nominations.
Betting on the Aotearoa Classic field is available following final acceptances.
Betting on the Aotearoa Classic race favours the locally trained champions from the best New Zealand horse racing stables.
Aotearoa Classic race betting traditionally focuses on the proven Group winning horses who have an outstanding record in the event and those with previous form in the top New Zealand mile horse races.
Aotearoa Classic race tips centre on thoroughbred stars that have good lead-up form in similar grade spring/summer events, horses with previous experience at the Ellerslie track and past Group 1 champs who have dominated recent Aotearoa Classic race results.
The Aotearoa Classic is a set weights event open to horses aged four-years-old.
Expert Tips on the 2026 Aotearoa Classic
Stay tuned for our expert tips and Aotearoa Classic betting predictions ahead of this year’s $1 million feature in Auckland.
Aotearoa Classic Tips
Aotearoa Classic tips on which horse will win the next edition of the event flood in as the countdown to the important Ellerslie 1600m race heats up.
Aotearoa Classic race tips on what horse will win the event this year are highly sought after by smart punters and racing fans every season.
When looking at Aotearoa Classic race tips it is important to consider factors including:
- What horses in the Aotearoa Classic field are proven over the distance?
- Who the key Aotearoa Classic trainers and jockeys are and what horses they have in the Aotearoa Classic field this year?
- Aotearoa Classic barrier statistics and where your Aotearoa Classic betting selections are drawn.
- Aotearoa Classic horses that have a good past record at the track.
How long does it take to know if you placed a winning Aotearoa Classic race tip? The event itself takes around 1 minute and a half minutes for the competing horses to run the 1,600m trip depending on track conditions.
Desert Lightning won the first edition of the race in 2024 in a time of 1 minute 32.53 seconds.
The official Aotearoa Classic winner and winning Aotearoa Classic trifecta are known shortly after unless there is a protest or a photo-finish Aotearoa Classic result.
What are the best Aotearoa Classic lead-up races to look at when placing an Aotearoa Classic bet?
There are a number of earlier summer races in New Zealand that serve as a good guide to the Aotearoa Classic including the Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m), formerly the Captain Cook Classic, run at Wellington in December.
Desert Lightning (2024) became the first horse to complete the TAB Classic – Aotearoa Classic double.
New Zealand-Bred Horses in the Aotearoa Classic
Betting on the New Zealand-bred horses in the field is popular with the race results showing the locally foaled runners winning the first edition in 2024.
Aotearoa Classic Tips for a Trifecta
Aotearoa Classic tips for a trifecta cover the first three horses to officially go past the finishing post in the Aotearoa Classic results.
The horse to finish on top of the Aotearoa Classic trifecta is your Aotearoa Classic winner, the runner who outlasted all their rivals and finished in the fastest time.
Placing an Aotearoa Classic trifecta exotic bet on the race is a great way to add to the thrill and potentially be rewarded with a generous pay-out.
An Aotearoa Classic trifecta is only successful if the three horses in your bet finish in the exact order you predict. Punters may choose instead to box their trifecta bets on the Aotearoa Classic to cover more finishing options and increase the chances of winning.
Adding the favourite into your Aotearoa Classic trifecta bet is a top tip as the favourites have a strong recent strike-rate running in the money.
Key Aotearoa Classic Statistics and Insights
Place an informed bet on this year’s Aotearoa Classic by considering the following key statistics and insights:
- Win Rates: Horses with high win rates in similar races are strong contenders for the Aotearoa Classic. Our Aotearoa Classic betting tips available at the TAB NZ Punters Lounge provide detailed win rate statistics.
- Place Percentages: Evaluate horses with consistent place percentages, indicating reliability and competitiveness. Aotearoa Classic race tips offer comprehensive data on place percentages.
Aotearoa Classic betting takes place on the popular Aotearoa Classic race which is held at Auckland’s Ellerslie Racecourse on a Saturday in late January annually since 2024.
Aotearoa Classic odds are offered on the lucrative event, and the field attracts a host of quality four-year-old thoroughbreds, many of which have already won or will go on to win a Group 1 race during their careers.
The Aotearoa Classic is expected to grow into one of New Zealand’s most popular horse races and has been run and won since 2024 when Desert Lightning became the inaugural champion of the event.
The race conditions are set weights.
It is now a key event in New Zealand’s racing calendar and attracts some of the best horses, jockeys and trainers from across the country and Australia.
Winning the Aotearoa Classic is a significant achievement in the racing community, and the event attracts lots of attention from punters both locally and internationally in Australia.
Taking place at Auckland’s iconic Ellerslie Racecourse, the Aotearoa Classic is a 1600m or mile and a half event.
There is scope for the Aotearoa Classic to be elevated to Group 1 status in the future.
The race’s first champion, Desert Lightning, went on to contest a number of big races down under including the All-Star Mile in Melbourne and the Toorak Handicap when fourth to Antino in 2024.
TAB Karaka Millions Night
The TAB Karaka Millions meeting is one of New Zealand’s leading horse racing events, held annually at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland.
The race meeting features not just one, but three races with stakes over NZ$1 million each! The Karaka Million 2YO race itself offers a prize of NZ$1 million.
Key Karaka Millions Race Night Events:
- Restricted Listed $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) – The main event of the night, featuring New Zealand’s top two-year-old horses competing for a prize of NZ$1 million.
- Restricted Listed $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) – Another major race and the evening’s richest race with an incredible prize of NZ$1.5 million, showcasing the best three-year-old horses.
- Restricted Listed $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) – a new addition to the Karaka Million Race Night, this million-dollar mile race is only for four-year-olds.
- Group 1 $700,000 Sistema Railway (1200m) – One of the two most popular New Zealand thoroughbred sprint races along with the prestigious Telegraph Handicap.
- Group 2 $600,000 Westbury Classic (1400m) – Group 2 event offering over half-a-million open only to fillies and mares.
- Group 3 $250,000 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) – Sprint race support act for three-year-olds.
The event takes place in the evening, adding a unique atmosphere with twilight racing under the lights. It’s not just about the racing; the event is known for its fashion and social scene. There’s a “Birdcage Bash” afterparty with live music and a DJ, making it a full evening of entertainment.
The event attracts international industry figures and racing enthusiasts, adding to its prestige and excitement.
Overall, the Karaka Millions Night is a must-attend event for racing fans and those looking to experience a night of thrilling racing and entertainment.
Get the best Karaka Millions Carnival odds, racing stats, previews, form and insider tips on races like the Aotearoa Classic now at the TAB NZ!
Where can you bet on the Aotearoa Classic?
The best place to bet on this year’s Aotearoa Classic race is through the TAB NZ online.
Aotearoa Classic Odds
Aotearoa Classic odds and online betting tips on the Aotearoa Classic horse race in New Zealand are dominated by proven Group horses, the locally trained runners in the race and horses proven at the Ellerslie track.
Where can I find the latest Aotearoa Classic odds?
For the latest odds and updates on the Aotearoa Classic, TAB NZ is your go-to source. They provide real-time odds fluctuations, ensuring you have the most current information to make informed betting decisions. It’s crucial to monitor these odds closely, as they reflect the market’s perception of each horse’s chances, influenced by factors like form, barrier draw, and track conditions.
How to Place a Bet on the Aotearoa Classic Race
Want to know how to make a bet on the Aotearoa Classic? Visit the TAB NZ racing page to access the latest Aotearoa Classic betting odds and options.
It is simple to learn how to place a bet on the Aotearoa Classic online.
You can place an Aotearoa Classic bet online anytime markets are live.
There are more ways than ever to get involved in betting on the Aotearoa Classic.
From seasoned punters analysing form guides to casual racing fans drawn to the excitement, the Aotearoa Classic is a race for everyone.
Whether you’re diving deep into the latest Aotearoa Classic race field, joining a sweepstake with friends, or simply enjoying the atmosphere of the summer Auckland racing, the Aotearoa Classic has it all!
This important summer race showcases New Zealand’s finest four-year-old thoroughbreds and attracts attention from all over the country as one of the biggest races of the year!
How to Bet on the Aotearoa Classic this year?
1. Log in or sign-up with TAB NZ.
2. Make a secure online deposit using one of the TAB NZ safe deposit methods.
3. Check out the Aotearoa Classic betting guide, Aotearoa Classic form guide and our expert Aotearoa Classic tips.
4. Choose an Aotearoa Classic bet to place such as Win, Place, Each-Way or the Aotearoa Classic Trifecta. There are many more Aotearoa Classic betting options available so make sure to check out our Aotearoa Classic betting markets.
5. Select the Aotearoa Classic horse you want to bet on from the early markets, Aotearoa Classic nominations or Aotearoa Classic field.
What makes betting on the Aotearoa Classic so popular?
The fact that the Aotearoa Classic is set to become one of the leading summer races run during the Auckland Summer Racing Carnival and one of the richest January horse races in Australasia make it a must watch and must bet on racing event.
The Aotearoa Classic is a new event set to produce a host of subsequent Group 1 winning horses both locally and across the Tasman.
The Aotearoa Classic is the most lucrative thoroughbred horse race in New Zealand for four-year-old horses.
For the best online betting on the Aotearoa Classic, consider tipping a horse to win both the Aotearoa Classic and a Group 1 race over the carnival in a summer race double!
What makes the Aotearoa Classic so special?
The Aotearoa Classic is set to serve as a great guide to upcoming New Zealand Group 1 races so using the Aotearoa Classic winners’ list for future Group events is popular with punters.
It is a highly competitive race that grows in popularity each summer.
New Zealand and international racing fans, including those in Australia, tune into the thrilling 1600m summer event every season to see if their bets on the Aotearoa Classic race won!
The Aotearoa Classic currently offers NZD$1,000,000 in prize money plus bragging rights with jockeys, trainers and owners from across the country and further abroad keen to add their names to the list of Aotearoa Classic champions.
Aotearoa Classic Field
The Aotearoa Classic Stakes field attracts a line-up of top-line four-year-old horses each season.
Nominations: 20 Jan 2026 12:00PM
Withdrawals: 21 Jan 2026 10:00AM
Riders: 21 Jan 2026 1:00PM
What are the popular betting markets for the Aotearoa Classic?
When it comes to betting on the Aotearoa Classic, there are a number of more popular betting options with punters including:
- Win & Place: Bet on a horse to win or finish in the top places. This is one of the most straightforward and popular betting options.
- Each-Way: A combination of win and place bets, providing a safety net if your chosen horse doesn’t win but finishes in the top positions.
- Exotics: These include Quinella, Trifecta, and First Four, where you predict the specific order of finishers, offering potentially higher payouts but requiring more precise predictions.
What races will runners out of the Aotearoa Classic target next?
Following a run in the Aotearoa Classic many horses will target upcoming summer features. Some of the key races they might aim for include the:
- Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa in early February,
- Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) which is a longer weight-for-age race held on the same Te Rapa meeting, and the
- Group 1 Otaki Maori WFA Classic (1600m) back at Ellerslie at the end of February, or the
- Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie in early March.
Some of the top graduates out of the Aotearoa Classic in New Zealand may head down under for the lucrative Group 1 races in Sydney and Melbourne including the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in late March.
Aotearoa Classic Barriers
The Aotearoa Classic barrier draw and allocated Aotearoa Classic starting gates play a key role for many punters when deciding on what horses to bet on in the big race.
What is the most successful recent Aotearoa Classic barrier draw?
Barrier 10 produced the inaugural Aotearoa Classic winner Desert Lightning in 2024.
Barrier 3 produced the second Aotearoa Classic winner Orchestral in 2025.
Barrier 9 produced the third champion in 2026 with Tuxedo.
Breakdown of winning Aotearoa Classic barriers from 2024 onwards:
Barrier 3 – 1 (latest Orchestral in 2025)
Barrier 9 – 1 (latest Tuxedo in 2026)
Barrier 10 – 1 (latest Desert Lightning in 2024)
Aotearoa Classic Form
We offer a complete Aotearoa Classic form guide and expert analysis on every horse in the Aotearoa Classic field in addition to insider Aotearoa Classic racing tips and betting odds.
Our Aotearoa Classic form guides include:
- Aotearoa Classic race preview and predictions
- Racing analysis on the event and runners
- Previous runs, barrier trials and lead-up statistics
- Key information on all horses in the race like trainer and jockey form
- Runner commentary
Whether you are just starting out tipping horses in the Aotearoa Classic or you are an expert Aotearoa Classic tipster, our form guide gives you all the statistics and information you need to make a smart bet on the Aotearoa Classic.
How to Read the Aotearoa Classic Form Guide
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how to interpret a horse’s form and performance indicators when looking at this year’s Aotearoa Classic form guide:
- Recent Performances: Review the horse’s last few races, focusing on finish positions and the quality of competition faced.
- Track and Distance Records: Check the horse’s performance on similar track conditions and distances to gauge suitability.
- Jockey and Trainer Stats: Consider the success rates of the jockey and trainer combination, particularly in the Aotearoa Classic race.
- Weight Carried: Analyse how the weight carried in previous races compares to the Aotearoa Classic, as this can impact performance.
- Barrier Position: Evaluate the horse’s barrier draw and its historical performance from similar starting positions.
Aotearoa Classic Results
The Aotearoa Classic results are known when the event takes place in January annually.
You can bet on the Aotearoa Classic race results weeks ahead of race day with our futures Aotearoa Classic markets here at the TAB NZ.
Betting on the Aotearoa Classic results entails picking the Aotearoa Classic winning horse and we can help you place an informed bet on the Aotearoa Classic field with our Aotearoa Classic tips and form guide.
Other Aotearoa Classic race results include the winning jockeys, trainers, successful barrier and finishing time.
The complete Aotearoa Classic finishing order shows what position every horse in the field ran.
Some punters even like to place bets on what horse will finish last in the Aotearoa Classic results!
Aotearoa Classic exotic results show how all the exotic Aotearoa Classic bet types resulted like the Aotearoa Classic Quinella, Aotearoa Classic Exacta, Aotearoa Classic Trifecta, and Aotearoa Classic First Four.
Aotearoa Classic Jockeys
Securing a ride in the Aotearoa Classic field is a highly sought-after achievement for jockeys around New Zealand and Australia. Winning this important summer race is a nice campaign goal for many of Australasia’s top riders looking to secure a trophy during the carnival.
What jockeys are riding in the Aotearoa Classic field is determined by the owners and trainers of the horses, and official Aotearoa Classic jockey announcements are made in the weeks and days leading up to the race.
Opie Bosson is the latest Aotearoa Classic winning jockey having ridden Tuxedo to victory in 2026.
Stay tuned to the TAB NZ racing blog to see what jockeys lock in a confirmed ride on one of the Aotearoa Classic horses this summer.
Aotearoa Classic Trainers
Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray are the latest Aotearoa Classic winning trainers having prepared Tuxedo to victory in 2026.
Aotearoa Classic Winners
Notable Aotearoa Classic winners throughout history include:
Desert Lightning (2024): Desert Lightning won the first running in 2024 by nearly two lengths when famously defeating the beaten odds-on favourite Legarto as a $14 outsider. An elite New Zealand racehorse, Desert Lightning was foaled on August 11, 2019 and is sired by Pride Of Dubai (AUS) and out of Isstoora (NZ). His other key career win came in the Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m). Desert Lightning made a successful transition to Australian racing, capturing the Group 3 Sandown Stakes in 2024 under the training of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman before a fourth in that year’s Toorak Handicap.
Orchestral (2025): Orchestral won the second running in 2025 by 1.5 lengths as the $2.60 favourite. Earlier in her career Orchestral became one of only five fillies to win the New Zealand Derby since 1982, with a dominant performance in 2024 during a hot streak as a gun three-year-old filly. She also claimed victory in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes in Australia. She was bred by Barneswood Farm and is a daughter of the champion Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel. Her career earnings have surpassed NZ$2 million, making her one of the elite racehorses from New Zealand. Orchestral also raced on Karaka Millions Night in 2024 winning the Karaka Millions 3YO as a filly.
Tuxedo (2026): Tuxedo delivered a brilliant performance to claim the 2026 Aotearoa Classic, showcasing the class and maturity that had long hinted at a breakout moment. The Tivaci gelding surged through late under a perfectly timed ride from Opie Bosson, reeling in the high-quality mare Hinekaha to score by a narrow margin and secure the $1 million feature at Ellerslie. The addition of blinkers and a patient ride proved decisive, with Tuxedo travelling sweetly before exploding when the gap appeared. Already a dual stakes winner as a three-year-old, he confirmed his rise to the next level with this victory, rewarding the confidence of the Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray stable and cementing his status as one of New Zealand’s most exciting middle-distance prospects.
Bet on the next Aotearoa Classic winner with our comprehensive Aotearoa Classic form guide and expert Aotearoa Classic tips at the TAB NZ!
Past Aotearoa Classic Results
A full list of past Aotearoa Classic winners, jockeys, trainers, times, weights carried to victory, and placegetters dating back to the event’s inaugural running in 2024 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner | Weight | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer/s | Winning Time | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuxedo (NZ) | 57.5kg | 9 | Opie Bosson | Shaun Ritchie & Colm Murray | 1:36.06 | Hinekaha | Knobelas |
| 2025 | Orchestral (NZ) | 55.5kg | 3 | Craig Grylls | Roger James & Robert Wellwood | 1:35.99 | Mary Shan | Mosinvader |
| 2024 | Desert Lightning (NZ) | 57.5kg | 10 | Vinnie Colgan | Peter & Dawn Williams | 1:32.53 | Legarto | Rudyard |
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