The Mufhasa Classic is a Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race run at weight-for-age over a distance of 1,600 metres (1 mile) at Trentham Racecourse in Wellington, New Zealand. Known for many years as the Captain Cook Stakes, in 2023 it became known as the TAB Classic before being renamed the Mufhasa Classic.
Over the years the race has been won by great New Zealand racehorses such as Rough Habit (1992), Solveig (1986) and Copper Belt (1977).
History
Name
Marlboro Mile (1977-1979) Penfolds-Chardon Mile (1980-1981) DB Mile (1982-1983) Double Brown 1600 (1984-1985) Double Brown Mile (1986-1988) DB Draught 1600 (1989) Captain Cook Stakes (1990-2000) Fayette Park Prized Stakes (2001) Captain Cook Stakes (2002–2022) TAB Classic (2023) TAB Mufhasa Classic (2024)
Race Date
Run In March (1977-1997) Run In October (1997-2008) Run In December (2009–Present)
In 2009 the Wellington Racing Club changed the race date from the end of October to the beginning of December, to move it away from the Hawke's Bay Spring Carnival races such as the Spring Classic. Instead the Captain Cook Stakes was fitted in to be three to four weeks after the Coupland's Bakeries Mile [Churchill Stakes] at Riccarton in November and three weeks before the Zabeel Classic [Galaxy Stakes] at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
Results Year Stake Winner Sire Dam Jockey Trainer(s) Owner(s) Time Second Third2025$400,00 Provence 57 Savabeel Sombreuil (Aus) George Rooke Stephen MarshT V Rider & Social Racing Winners Circle Syndicate 1:36.09WaitakLa Crique2024$400,000Ladies ManZedJust PoliteOpie BossonAllan Sharrock FJ, HT, LL & MJ O'Leary, SA Sharrock, Mrs KM, NH, RT & Mrs SL Stanley 1:35.04La CriquePerfect Scenario2023 $400,000Desert Lightning Pride of Dubai Isstoora Vincent ColganPeter & Dawn Williams Barneswood Farm Ltd for S C Green & G C Beemsterboer 1:35.05 FaraglioniMalt Time2022$300,000 Prise De Fer Savabeel Foiled Michael McNab Mark Walker Te Akau En Garde Syndicate 1:38.14AegonChase2021 (Te Rapa)$220,000 Two Illicit Jimmy ChouxGemini Danielle Johnson Roger James & Robert Wellwood, Cambridge Brent & Cherry Taylor, Faith Taylor, Jane Taylor & Scott Malcolm 1:34.39 Prise De Fer Tiptronic2020 $200,000 Rock On WoodRedwoodRock On Rye Ryan Elliot Leanne Elliot, Levin L E Elliot, J Ker & Y J Ker 1:39.66Concert HallDeerfield2019$200,000WyndspelleIffraaj Western StarJason WaddellJohno Benner & Hollie Wynyard, OtakiJ Frew, S Hanna, Jen Campin Bloodstock Ltd & NP Randles1:34.66Shadows CastTrue Enough2018$200,000DanzdanzdanceMastercraftsman Night DanzaOpie BossonChris Gibbs & Michelle Bradley, Ruakaka BAX Bloodstock Achieving Xcellence Ltd, S Barnao, M Hawes, J Loose, R J Stern, R Tierney & L Wotton1:36.58Authentic PaddyOur Abbadean2017New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2018 (47th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. $200,000Kawi Savabeel Magic TimeJason WaddellAllan Sharrock, New PlymouthAA Baeyertz, JP Goodin, T Kemp, GA Macdonald, GH Phillips, BR & SA Sharrock1:36.28 (dead) Consensus Sofia Rosa 2016New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2017 (46th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. $200,000Aide Memoire Remind ExplainRobert HannamFraser Auret, MartonMJ Askew, MI Deans, D Garraway, CJ Gerbs, A Groves & DE Tuffery1:35.87 (dead)Authentic Paddy Ringo 2015$200,000Julinsky PrinceDarci Brahma Julinsky PrincessJohnathan ParkesFraser Auret, MartonBromley Bloodstock Ltd1:38.73Authentic PaddySoriano2014$200,000ShukaBachelor Duke Alabama RoseDanielle JohnsonPeter & Dawn Williams, Byerley ParkParr Bloodstock Ltd1:37.53Nashville / Puccini (dead heat) -2013$200,000ShukaBachelor Duke Alabama RoseDanielle JohnsonPeter & Dawn Williams, Byerley ParkParr Bloodstock Ltd1:35.42ViadanaBrave Centaur2012$200,000Final TouchKashani My Lydia Chris JohnsonJohn & Karen Parsons, BalciarnMrs K G Parsons1:35.91Lady Kipling / Mufhasan/a2011$200,000Mufhasa Pentire Sheila Cheval Samantha SprattStephen McKee, ArdmoreD L, Ms N N & S C Archer & Mrs D J Wright1:36.40 (good)Vonusti Dating 2010$200,000We Can Say It NowStarcraft We Can't Say ThatLisa AllpressMurray & Bjorn Baker, CambridgePaulyn Investments Pty Ltd1:34.04MandelaObsession2009 (December)$200,000EkstremeEkraar Cashcade Opie BossonBryce Revell, New PlymouthWaimea Racing Syndicate1:36.32VelozFritzy Boy2008$200,000Dezigna Volksraad Label Basher Troy HarrisVanessa & Wayne Hillis, MatamataMrs M.E.A. Evans1:44.65 (heavy 11)O'Ceirins Angel Bulginbaah 2007New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2008 (37th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand. $200,000DorabellaPostponed CaserioHayden TinsleyHowie & Lorraine Matthews, OtakiD Ha1:34.50SeachangePorotene Gem2006$150,000Jurys OutFaltaat (USA) TarantiaMichael ColemanDavid & Sarah Haworth, FoxtonD Mck & KM Duncan & DR Haworth1:35.42 Rosina LadSir Slick2005$100,000HurrahBahhare (USA) Shock Attack Hayden TinsleyShane Kennedy & Ricky Carston, Riccarton GF Kirkpatrick, PB McLaughlin, TJ O'Shannessey, KJ Smith, MR Spinks, PW Timbs & BJ Vieceli1:35.81MilleniumJurys Out2004 (Otaki)New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2005 (34th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand.$100,000 RodinMasterpiece Fine DecisionDarryl BradleyKaren Zimmerman, OtakiVictory Park Syndicate & Ywurree Syndicate1:36.95 KeeninskyRapid Kay2003New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2004 (33rd edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand. $100,000Penny GemPentire Gemscap (by Maizcay)Michael ColemanMichael Moroney & Andrew Scott, MatamataAF & Mrs CI Abel, AK Bell, CW Cherrie, PA Moroney & BA Schroder1:34.57Marie ClareHustler2002 Dead heat$100,000ElevensesStar Way Celtic JoyLeith InnesDebbie & Graeme Sanders, Te AwamutuElevenses Syndicate1:38.33n/aHello Dolly2002 Dead heat$100,000Tit For TaatFaltaat Miss KiwiteaMichael WalkerW Herbert, Riwa ParkRI & Est Late WD Scott1:38.33n/aHello Dolly2001$100,000Hello DollyMi Perferido DrambuieBruce HerdBill Wills, CambridgeW G Wills1:42.3 (Heavy)Cinder BellaFritz2000$100,000Cinder Bella Victory Dance (Ire) Lucky Jewell Lance O'SullivanKaren Zimmerman, OtakiMessrs BM Hancock & CJG McFarlane1:25.47 (1400m)IntegrateSir Howard1999New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2000 (29th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. $100,000Cent Home 57Lord Ballina (AUS) CenturialLance O'SullivanJim Wallace, OpakiJim Wallace1:34.75HeroBatavian1998 (Hastings) (October)$100,000FoxwoodCentaine (AUS) Delia's ChoiceVincent ColganRoger James, CambridgeMrs HA & JM Hannan1:33.75DanskeJust Anything 1997 (October)$100,000Super CrestSuper ImposingTop SprayNoel HarrisJohn SargentMarconeeBatavian1997 (March)$80,000Ballroom Babe 55.5Citidancer Taimian Gary Grylls Graeme Sanders, Te Awamutu BD Old, KW Pennell & GK Sanders1:36.81 Kingston Bay Ed1996New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1997 (26th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand.$80,000 MarquiseGold and Ivory (USA) Eight Carat (GB) Jim Collett Laurie Laxon, Cambridge Messrs MK Glenn & MH Oram1:35.31 CorndaleDiablo Girl1995$80,000Allegrohttps://www.100years.nzb.co.nz/blog/100-years-of-racetrack-legends-1987-1996 Red Tempo Gallant Heights Gary Grylls Chris & Colleen Wood, CambridgeHenry & Pamela Ward1:33.60 AvedonLord Tridan1994New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1995 (24th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand.$80,000Lord Tridan Lord Ballina (AUS) Salaprime Gary GryllsMichael Moroney & Graeme Richardson, MatamataMrs DM, JF & Mrs MM Connelly1:34.93 Ball ParkCuidado1993New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1994 (23rd edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Meadowset Publishing, Auckland, New Zealand.$80,000Calm Harbour Spectacular Love (USA) Sooth (NZ)Damon SmithNoel Eales, AwapuniPeter Thorburn1:35.17 DeadOn The Beach Status1992$80,000Rough HabitRoughcast (USA) Certain Habit (NZ) Chris JohnsonJohn Wheeler, New PlymouthJA Battiston, Mrs RE Burns, C Rackley & DW Smith 1:35.54 Modena Rough Harbour 1991New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1991 (20th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. $100,000Mickey's TownIcelandic Walnor Michael ColemanJim Gibbs, Matamata BJ McCahill Senior1:35.09 Fun On The RunStanmaric1990Meeting abandoned 1989$62,500Straight Order Straight Strike Nightly Order Greg ChildsPatrick Campbell, AwapuniH A & R P Davey1:33.81 Steeley Dan Compel1988$62,500Steely Dan Standaan (Fra) Miss Jubilee Lance O'Sullivan Tony Gillies, Matamata WT Callaghan, RL Kennedy, JC Parkes & AJJ Parkinson1:38.94 The Filbert Abit Leica1987New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1987 (16th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. $62,500Magnitude Amalgam Beauty Spot Garry Phillips Magaret Bull, Hunterville Miss MJ Bull1:34.89 The Filbert Pell Mell 1986$42,250Solveig Imposing (Aus) Soliloquoy David PeakeColin Curnow and Trevor McKee, Takanini R E & R W E Moore 1:36.48 Canterbury Belle Pinson1985New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1985 (Fourteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. $60,000So Dandy So Vain El Candy Brian YorkKeith Opie, Te Aroha JL & LGN Erickson1:39.98 Abit Leica Super Tai 1984New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1984 (Thirteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. $60,000Idaho's Gift Rich Gift Veruschka Earl Harrison Brian Coleman, New Plymouth BG Coleman1:38.49 Super Tai Dig In1983$45,000Clear Gold Bahroona Hebrew Star Grant Cooksley IP Morton, Whakatane Mr & Mrs IP Morton & Mr & Mrs HB Tapper1:35.7 Super Tai So Dandy1982New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1982 (Eleventh edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. $45,000Hikotere Redolent II Great Haste Gary Grylls TJ Mora, Te Aroha AJ, Mrs DJ, GD & HJ Prout1:37.25 GivenchyPrince Majestic 1981New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1981 (Tenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. $40,000The TwinkleGate Keeper The Pixie ( by Mellay) Ally RobinsonDennis Brothers, Woodlands1:36.25 Mun Lee Golden Rhapsody 1980New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1980 (Ninth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. $40,000Mellseur Riverton Belinda's Flight (by Bellborough) NJ HarnettEllis Winsloe, Gore FC Anscombe & EJ Smart1:40.75 Scotch Miss Mun Lee1979New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1979 (Eighth edition).Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. $26,000BrutusBalios Monde (by Monitor) Chris McNabRay Harris, Tuahiwi RT Harris, GE Pilkington, RM Smith & Mrs LS Weaver1:39.5 Copper Bit Loma Lass1978New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1978 (Seventh edition).Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.$35,000March Legend Idolmeneo Gretel (by Golovine) Alwin TweedieDon Nash, Takanini D R Nash1:35.75 Orchidra Clive Comet1977 (March)$25,000Copper Belt Gold Sovereign Rhodesia (by Blueskin II) Garry Phillips Brian Deacon, Hawera K & Mrs K Gray1:36.6 Grey Way On Show
See also
Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand Wellington Cup Thorndon Mile New Zealand Oaks Trentham Stakes Zabeel Classic New Zealand International/Herbie Dyke Stakes
References
New Zealand Horse Racing Statistics and Information - RaceBase The Great Decade of New Zealand racing 1970-1980. Glengarry, Jack. William Collins Publishers Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1976. Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland.