New Zealand 1000 Guineas

The 1000 Guineas is a set-weights Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old fillies run over a distance of 1600 metres (1 mile) at Riccarton Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.

As of 2020, it is on the final Saturday of Christchurch's famous Christchurch "Cup Week" held in the second week of November, which includes the New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway on the Tuesday.

Riccarton's other major thoroughbred races during the week include:

• the Coupland's Bakeries Mile on the Wednesday,
• the New Zealand 2000 Guineas on the first Saturday and
• the thoroughbred New Zealand Cup also on the final Saturday.

History[]

Until 1973, both the New Zealand Oaks and the New Zealand Derby were run at Riccarton. When those races were moved to Trentham and Ellerslie respectively, Riccarton was awarded two new classic races, the 1000 and 2000 Guineas over 1600 metres (1 mile). These races are based on those of the same name in the United Kingdom, run at Newmarket in the first weekend in May.

Both races have quickly established themselves on the New Zealand calendar, and the 1000 Guineas routinely attracts all of the country's leading fillies and, as a crucial race in the Filly Of The Year series, is regularly taken out by the eventual winner of that title.

Among the best recent winners are Katie Lee, Seachange, King's Rose, the brilliant but ill-fated Taatletail and Tycoon Lil.

The 1000 Guineas has been run for a total stake of:

• 1975 - $20,000
• 1986 - $100,000
• 1994 - $100,000
• 2003 - $275,000
• 2007 - $325,000
• 2019 - $300,000.

Recent Winners of the New Zealand 1000 Guineas[]

See also[]

• Recent winners of major races for 3-year-old horses
• Desert Gold Stakes
• Hawke's Bay Guineas
• New Zealand Oaks
• Levin Classic
• New Zealand Derby
• Karaka Million