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 mid/late April on the same date as the Championship Stakes.

Winners Since 1965

Year Winner Sire Dam Jockey Trainer Time Second Third2026 Lupo Solitario 53 Satono AladdinShe's Aloof Wiremu Pinn Danica Guy, Matamata 1:36.98 (soft)Top Shelf 53Cannon Hill 562025 Doctor Askar 53 Derryn (Aus)Petipas Delight Joe Doyle Joanne Moss, Waverley 1:36.51 (soft) Tardelli 53 Electron 532024 (Te Rapa) Snazzytavi 53TavistockRitzy LadyWarren KennedyGraham Richardson & Rogan Norvall1.36.89 (soft)Chattahoochie 53Channel Surfer 532023 (Pukekohe) White Noise El RocaWhite Nymph Michael NcNab Andrew Forsman 1:42.54 (heavy)Habana 57Tavattack 582022 (Pukekohe) Carolina Reaper 53 Vespa Bonney PepperAshvin Goindasamy (a) Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall, Matamata 1:37.73 (Good)Brando 57.5 True Enough 592021Demonetization 55 All Too HardMidnight SpecialSamantha CollettNigel Tiley, Pukekohe1:38.72 (Slow)Hasabro 52Marroni 522020 Race not held2019 Endless Drama 59 Lope De Vega (Ire)Desert Drama (Ire) Leith InnesTony Pike, Cambridge1:33.45Watch This Space 55 Yearn 522018 (Pukekohe) Megablast 57.5Shinko King (Ire) Thirst Michael Coleman Nigel Tiley, Pukekohe 1:42.32Brighton 52 Romancer 52.52017 Seventh Up 55Shinko King (Ire)Regelle Grant Cooksley Shelley Hale1:36.04 Hiflyer 55Let Me Roar 532016 Sound Proposition 55Savabeel Ebony Babe Michael ColemanLance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott, Matamata1:33.29 Trojan Warrior 55 Rasa Lila 542015 Pondarosa Miss 52High Chaparral (Ire) Bak Da Princess Daniel Hain Peter Hollinshead 1:38.50 Vespa 52 Kawi 55.52014 Albany Reunion 52.5Fastnet Rock (Aus) Secret Silence (Aus) Mark Du Plessis Nigel Tiley, Pukekohe1:35.28 Chintz 55 Rollout The Carpet (Aus) 522013 Viadana 57.5Towkay (Aus) Yeah Nah Mark Du Plessis Lance Noble, Matamata1:34.62 Postmans Daughter 56.5Our Famous Eve 53.52012 Veyron 59Thorn Park (Aus) Over The Limit Rogan Norvall Linda Laing, Cambridge1:35.40 Postmans Daughter 54Fleur De Lune 54.52011 Veyron 57Thorn Park (Aus) Over The Limit Rogan Norvall Linda Laing, Cambridge 1:38.79 Fears Nothing 55 Sir Slick 592010 Time Keeper 51Stravinsky (USA) Organdy (USA) Mark Sweeney Graeme Nicholson & Paul Allbon, Pukekohe1:34.20 November Rain 51Sir Slick 592009 Prince Kaapstad 53Kaapstad Brilliant Princess Samantha Spratt Richard Yuill 1:35.10 Irish Opera 52.5 My Astron 56 2008 Pasta Post 54Postponed (USA) Blue HeavenCraig Grylls Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu 1:33.02 Sterling Prince 53 Culminate 53 2007 Floydeboy 55Mallifont (USA) Fleche D’or Mark Hills Bernard Dyke, Cambridge 1:37.80 Dezigna 56.5 Polish Princess (GB) 512006 Rags To Riches 53.5Entrepreneur (GB) Candescent Michael Coleman Ralph Manning, Cambridge 1:35.41 Korau Road 52.5 La Sizeranne 542005 Calveen 54 Canny Lad (Aus)Calvinia (Aus) Cameron Lammas Lance O'Sullivan, Matamata 1:35.16 Kristov 56British Ensign 542004 Pomp and Glory 54 Pompeii Court (USA)AptitudeOpie Bosson Alan & Brett Mcdonald, Cambridge 1:32.29 Rodrigo Rose 52.5 Jet Ski 542003 Sedecrem 54.5Faltaat (USA) Real Trier (Aus)Grant Cooksley Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill, Takanini1:33.95 Jet Ski 54Millennium 532002 Honor Bound 55Honor Grades (USA)Amrica Lance O'Sullivan Terry Wenn, Te Aroha1:34.74 Jet Ski 55 St Therese (Aus) 522001 Magic Winner 54Mighty Grey (Aus)Hagen's Pride Mark Sweeney Graeme & Debbie Sanders, Te Awamutu1:37.85 O’Malley's Boy 54 Conference 572000 Zayyad 53.5Mohamed Abdu (Ire)Pompeii Girl Matthew Williamson Robbie Sims, Pukekohe1:36.37 Cinder Bella 54 Resonare 561999 Oregon Power 54.5Oregon (USA) Gypsy Invader Michelle Wenn (Brooks) Jim Gibbs & Eric Betty, Matamata 1:33.18Intergrate (AUS) 54The Mighty Finn 561998 Aimee Jay 52Famous Star (Ire) Mini Mandy Kelly Davidson Aiden Schumacher, Stratford 1:32.3Fatal 52 Oregon Power 531997 Moss Downs 50.5Toms Shu (USA) La Moss Lance O'Sullivan Chris McNab 1:32.34Jazzac 50Secret Hero 541996 Cactus Jack 49.5Foxbay Barbara Jan Toby Brett David Cole 1:36.3Magnet Bay 50Roys Boy 52.51995 Pakaraka Star 49.5Starjo Royal Vain Trudy Thornton Sidney Gulliver, Waverley 1:41.26Matsqui (Aus) Roys Boy 521994 Ball Park 53Ahonoora (GB) Tears For Fears (Aus) Tony Allan Michael Moroney & Graham Richardson, Matamata 1:34.16Lord Tridan 58Cuidado 571993 Moire 51Crested Wave (USA) Little Tern (Ire) Lisa Cropp Carl Peterson, Te Awamutu 1:34.38Kiwi Golfer 51Mahoenui Lass 49.81992 Carson's Cash 51.5Lord Ballina (Aus) Cashelmara Vincent Colgan Roger James, Cambridge 1:33.94Balmacara 52 Mr Impose 511991 Rays Hope 51.3Star Way (GB) Belltello Lisa Cropp Kerry Verner, Takanini 1:35.2Javelin 51.8Seamist 53.31990 Status 52Truly Vain (Aus) Georgie Grant Cooksley Jack Georgetti 1:33.66Echo Lass 50.5Pikorrie 501989 Regal City 56Licorice Stick Gay City Debbie Healey Jim Gibbs, Matamata 1:32.67Trissaring 50.5Squire Gray 531988 Sirstaci 52Silver Dream (GB) Eustaci Tony Allan Peter Simpson, Cambridge 1:34.55Bourbon Boy 55.5 Ticavaboy 51.5 1987 Field Dancer 50Star Way (GB) Field Nymph Michael Coleman Jim Gibbs & Roger James, Matamata 1:38.10Arctic Wolf 51.5Star Pride 481986 Cosmetique 49Barcas (USA) Lizabeth Gary Grylls Bill Ford & Roger Verry, Matamata 1:34.40Waverley Star 51.5Infinite Secret 50 1985 Eastern Joy 50 Three Legs (GB) Diatrelic Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata 1:36.54 Magnitude 52 Atraper 55.51984 Idaho's Gift 56.5Rich Gift (GB) Veruschka Earl Harrison Don Couchman, Hawera1:33.28 Macs Gamble 54Abit Leica 52.51983 Clear Gold 55Bahroona (Ca) Hebrew Gold Grant Cooksley I P Morton, Whakatane 1:33.19 Pride of Rosewood 53Debs Mate 57.51982 Our Shah 56.6Shahram (GB)Our Rene Chris McNab Dave & Paul O'Sullivan & Michael Moroney, Matamata1:37.84 Asheen 50Givenchy 57.51981 Shivaree 58Sharivari Just a Lark Garry PhillipsDave O’Sullivan, Matamata1:41.04 Master Grey 54River Queen 551980 Silver Nymph 51.5Silver Dream (GB)Crestello Warwick Robinson Gary Mudgway, Te Rapa1:37.05 Heidelberg 52.5Stormee 56.51979 Stipulwin 52.5Stipulate Winnie’s Last Paul Hillis C Tatton, Cambridge1:40.57 Aghios Nikalaos 51Heidelberg 521978 Silver Wraith 51.25Silver Dream (GB)Crestello Peter Johnson Laurie Laxon, Te Rapa1:34 Orchida 54.5Shivaree 49.51977 Grey Way 60.5Grey William (GB)Waybrook Bob Skelton Pat Corboy, Washdyke1:34.74 Vice Regal 52 = Tudor light and Kiwi Can1976 Tudor Light 56All A’Light Elabama Warwick Robinson John Malcolm, Te Rapa1:35.7 Shaitan 48 Melody Belle 551975 Kiwi Can 57.5Hasty Cloud (Ire) Naughty Ngarie Roger Lang Fred Beguely, Matamata1:33.2 Bay Sovereign 49 Bay Boss 49.51974 Turfcutter 50.5Oncidium (GB)Entrancing Belle Peter Johnson Ray Verner, Takanini 1:34.8 Pheroz Jewel 51.5 Curly Wave 51.51973 Nordic Star 7.12Copenhagen II (GB)Glamour Fair Gary Willetts Gestro & McEwan, Hawera1:43 1972 Kia Marea 8.1Stunning (GB)Kia U John Grylls Tom Mathieson, Hawera1:37 1971 Evenstead 7.10 Even StevensLady Janice Noel Riordan Fred Phillips, Matangi 1:35.8 1970 Patrida 7.9 Pharamond (Fra) Forever David Raklander Stuart McColl, Woodville1:36 1969 Choucuana Minuit (GB)Cousette Rodney Heaslip Bill Sanders, Te Awamutu 1968 Tara's PridePride of Kildare (Ire) Fox Amber Bill Skelton Jim Didham, Stratford 1967 Valiant RebelResurgent (Ire) Valiant Rose David Peake Pat McIllroy, Takanini 1966 RochdaleAlpheus (GB) Fairy Treasure J Humphries Bill Sanders, Te Awamutu 1965 My Call Summertime (GB)Often David Raklander Bill Sanders, Te Awamutu

Ref:

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

Easter Handicap

Bron en licentie