The Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile, often referred to as the "Noel Taylor Mile" or "Taylor Mile", is a Group One race for pacing horses raced at Alexandra Park, Auckland in New Zealand.

The Noel Taylor Mile is currently held over the distance of 1609 metres (one mile). From 2007 to 2018 it was raced over 1700m.

Traditionally the race was only for 4 year old pacers. However, from 2013 to 2015 the race was also open to five-year-olds. For the 2022 event it was opened up to all pacers.

As well as being a major event in its own right, it is also the key lead-up to the New Zealand Messenger run the following week.

The 2024 Noel Taylor Mile was won by the "free legged" nine-year-old Mach Shard, driven by a junior driver Crystal Hackett at odds of $151.

Race results

Previous winners and placegetters of the Noel Taylor Mile include:

Year Month Winner Owner(s) Driver Time (distance) 2nd 3rd 2026AprThe Lazarus EffectAlabar Racing Syndicate 2022Bob Butt1:54.7 (1609m)Got The Chocolates Swayzee2025AprWe Walk By FaithDennis and Mark Dunford Matthew White1:51.6 (1609m)Republican PartyRakero Rocket2024AprMach Shard Mrs K J Purdon, Mrs C Nausbaum, Mrs T L Whittaker Crystal Hackett (J)1:53.9 (1609m) Don't Stop Dreaming Merlin2023AprAkutaCullen Breeding Limited, Mark Purdon Mark Purdon1:53.80 (1609m) Self Assured Better Eclipse2022AprSpankem Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, Breckon Racing Syndicate, J A Gibbs MNZM, Mrs A Gibbs, G A Woodham, Mrs K J WoodhamNatalie Rasmussen 1:52.22 (1609m)Hot And Treacherous Self Assured2021AprCopy ThatM W & Mrs M T Butterworth Maurice McKendry 1:54.57 (1609m) Bad To The Bone Steel The Show2019 Apr Spankem Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, Breckon Racing Syndicate, J A Gibbs MNZM, Mrs A Gibbs, G A Woodham, Mrs K J Woodham Natalie Rasmussen 1:53.4 (1609m) Turn It Up Mach Shard2018 Apr A G's White Socks G P Hope, P G Laboyrie, P I Baken, Mrs V M Robertson, W R Stewart, Mrs C L Stewart, A R Pullar, Mrs B E Pullar Ricky May 2:00.3 (1700m) Eamon Maguire Star Galleria2017 Apr Lazarus Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, Trevor Casey, K J Riseley Mark Purdon 2:00.0 (1700m) Waikiki Beach Golden Goddess2016 Apr Field Marshal Mrs SA Brown, S B Brown Dexter Dunn 1:59.5 (1700m) Tas Man Bromac Robbie Burns2015 Apr Mossdale Conner A G Affleck Maurice McKendry 1:58.1 (1700m) Border Control Ohoka Punter2014 May Besotted Lincoln Farms Simon Lawson 2:00.0 (1700m) Elios Adore Me2013 Apr Christen Me C J Roberts, V L Purdon Dexter Dunn 2:01.5 (1700m) Gold Ace Bettor Cover Lover2012 Apr Terror to Love T McDonald Anthony Butt 2:03.3 (1700m) Bettor Cover Lover Gold Ace2011 Apr Gomeo Romeo L T Henwood David Butcher 2:04.0 (1700m)Smiling Shard Mach Banner2010 Apr Second Wind G M Adlam Gavin Smith 2:02.9 (1700m)Sleepy Tripp Bonavista Bay2009 Apr Auckland Reactor Auckland Reactor Ltd Blair Orange 2:01.8 (1700m)Georgetown Pembrook Benny2008 Apr Changeover A.T.C. Trot 2006 Syndicate David Butcher 2:03.7 (1700m) Gotta Go CullenMr Molly2007 Apr Divisive C E Rixon Peter Rixon 2:00.9 (1700m)Power Of Tara Monkey King2006 Apr Mainland Banner Ian Dobson, S J Dobson, Lynne Umar Ricky May 1:55.1 (1609m) Baileys Dream Hippity Hop2005 Apr V For L Taylor, Mike Berger Philip Butcher 1:55.7 (1609m) Romeos Legend Likmesiah2004 Apr Elsu Mrs J Walters/Double Up Synd/Est D Hudson/Mrs P Small David Butcher 1:55.0 (1609m) London Legend Miracle Man2003 Apr Just An Excuse O Haines, Mrs I K Haines Todd Mitchell 1:55.6 (1609m) All Hart Jagged Account2002 Apr Alert Motoring Robert Reid Syndicate Brent Mangos 1:54.1 (1609m)Eagles Together Franco Heir2001 Mar Cool Hand Luke R S Croon/M Purdon/T R Vince/J H Seaton Tony Herlihy 1:55.6 (1609m) Tupelo Rose Dancingonmoonlight2000 Mar Mac De Stroyer N F MacFarlane, Mrs L M MacFarlane Todd Macfarlane 1:54.6 (1609m) Pocket Me Classic Turbo1999 Apr Ho Wong Mrs Susan McKendry Maurice McKendry 1:55.7 (1609m) New York Fella Homin Hosed1998 Apr Scuse Me J S Dalgety, Mrs V L Purdon Frank Cooney 1:53.5 (1609m)OK Royal Kate's First1997 Apr Agua Caliente D S & Mrs D E J Short, Mrs D E Woods, Miss S M Short Glen Wolfenden 1:56.4 (1609m) Captain Rufus Acknowledge1996 Feb Surprise Package Mrs K J Purdon Tony Herlihy 1:55.6 (1609m) Il VicoloGrinaldi1995 Feb The Suleiman J P Green, T G Garelja Michael Langdon 1:57.0 (1609m) Rare TouchErmis1994 Feb Hitchcock L Christensen, W Pengelly, J Richardson, N Taylor Maurice McKendry 1:57.6 (1609m)Montana Vance Camberley Octane1993 Feb Tigerish L A Turner, Mrs P L Turner James Stormont 1:58.7 (1609m) Kurahaupo Lord San Sabriel1992 Feb Abdias J Butcher, Mrs C M Butcher Philip Butcher 1:55.0 (1609m) Tartan Clansman Air Supply1991 Feb Christopher Vance R R Reid, Lorna Reid Syndicate, Mrs J C Reid Tony Herlihy 1:55.4 (1609m) Mark Hanover Franco Ice 1990 Feb Defoe Club Classic Lucky 7 SyndicateRobert Mitchell 1:56.9 (1609m)National Glory Franco Gold1989 Feb Kiwi Supreme J M Cunningham Stephen Dove 1:57.4 (1609m) National Image Speed King1988 Mar Elmer Gantry T Milina, R EvansTony Milina 1:56.7 (1609m)Tax Credit Bold Sharvid1987 Apr Jay Bee's Fella P R SmythePeter Wolfenden 1:56.8 (1609m) Lord Lenny Sharlene's Pride1986 Mar Master Mood K L Williams, Mrs B A Williams, S F Wong, F B Wong Kevin Williams 1:57.5 (1609m) Quiet Touch Kurahaupo Eden

Other major races

Auckland Trotting Cup Dominion Handicap Great Northern Derby New Zealand Messenger New Zealand Trotting Cup New Zealand Trotting Derby New Zealand Free For All Rowe Cup The Race by betcha Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Miracle Mile Pace

See also Harness racing Harness racing in New Zealand

References