The New Zealand Messenger Championship is a Group One event for standardbred pacing horses in New Zealand, run at Alexandra Park.
History
The New Zealand Messenger Championship had traditionally been restricted to 4 year-old horses and was the most prestigious race for that age group in New Zealand, and a key guide to feature races in the following season like the New Zealand Trotting Cup and Auckland Cup. This is evidenced by many New Zealand Messenger Championship winners or placegetters subsequently becoming Cup victors, such as:
Auckland Reactor Changeover Chokin Christopher Vance Elsu Just An Excuse Lazarus Mainland Banner Monkey King Royden Glen Stanley Rio Yulestar
For the 2013, 2014 and 2015 years five year olds were also eligible to compete in the race. Then from 2016 it reverted to four year olds only. However, in 2022 the New Zealand Messenger and its traditional lead up race, the Noel J Taylor Mile, were both opened up to older horses.
The New Zealand Messenger was previously raced on the same race-night as the Rowe Cup and Northern Trotting Derby for trotters and the New Zealand Sires Stakes Championship. In recent years the race has been held in late April or early May.
Race results Previous winners and placegetters are as follows. There was no race in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Year Month Horse Owner(s) Driver Time 2nd 3rd 2026https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/got-the-chocolates-sensational-in-nz-messenger-win/MayGot The ChocolatesR K Gordon, Mrs A L GordonJohn Dunn 3:13.8The Lazarus EffectSwayzee (horse) 2025AprRepublican PartyMrs C M Dalgety, G E Dickey, Mrs J E Rooney, G A Ayers, First Term Syndicate, D A Schollum, K J Cummings, B A Smith, G P Merlo, A & M SyndicateCarter Dalgety3:18.8Mo'ungaDon't Stop Dreaming2024MayMach ShardMrs K J Purdon, Mrs C Nausbaum, Mrs T L Whittaker Crystal Hackett (J) 3:17.71 Self Assured Better Eclipse2023AprSelf Assured Mrs J L Feiss Natalie Rasmussen 3:18.8Copy That Better Eclipse2022AprMajestic Cruiser D S Glynn & Mrs H R Glynn Cameron Hart 3:13.1 Self Assured A G's White Socks2021AprCopy ThatM W & M T Butterworth Maurice McKendry 3:18.81 Bad To The Bone Amazing Dream2019 May Spankem Mrs GJ Kennard, PI Kennard, Breckon Racing Syndicate, JA Gibbs MNZM, Mrs A Gibbs, GA Woodham, Mrs KJ Woodham Natalie Rasmussen 3:17.6 Turn It Up Mach Shard2018Apr Eamon Maguire BD Sceats, GJ Anderson, R Chalklin, SR Pulley, AD Gow, Mrs PP GillanNatalie Rasmussen 3:15.7 Star GalleriaA G's White Socks2017Apr Lazarus Mrs GJ Kennard, PI Kennard, TG Casey, KJ Riseley Mark Purdon 3:25.2Waikiki Beach Golden Goddess2016 AprField MarshalMrs S A Brown, S B Brown Dexter Dunn 3:15.8 My Kiwi Mate Hug The Wind2015 Apr Sky Major Mrs K J Purdon, T G Casey, Clear View Racing No 4 Syndicate, J Lohman, T F Henderson, The Anzac Racing Syndicate Zac Butcher 3:15.6 Tiger Tara Ohoka Punter2014 May Elios Bennett Bloodstock Ltd, C Eynon, M R McKinnon, G Rutledge, B Destounis John Dunn 3:17.4 Franco Nelson Norvic Nightowl2013 May Christen Me C J Roberts, V L Purdon Dexter Dunn 3:17.7 Jason Rulz Lets Elope2012 May Mustang Mach K Farah, A Kheir, G Braude, M Gordon Dexter Dunn 3:18.0 Gold Ace State Of Affairs2011 May Franco Emirate R E Nieper Jim Curtin 3:18.0Mach Banner Gomeo Romeo2010 May Tintin In America ATC Trot 2008 Syndicate David Butcher 3:15.8 Bonavista Bay Harley Earl2009 May Auckland Reactor Auckland Reactor Ltd Mark Purdon 3:18.8Ohoka Dallas All Tiger2008 May Gotta Go Cullen Ian Dobson Tony Herlihy 3:22.9 Changeover Victory Spirit2007 May Monkey King Cavalla Bloodstock Limited Steven Reid 3:23.9 Divisive All Promises2006 May Mainland Banner Ian Dobson, S J Dobson, Lynne Umar Ricky May 3:23.5 Mr Williams Baileys Dream2005 April Mi Muchacho R C Anderson, Ms P C Larsen Peter Ferguson 3:23.5Likmesiah Winforu2004 April Elsu Mrs J Walters/Double Up Synd/Est D Hudson/Mrs P Small David Butcher 3:22.2 London Legend Napoleon2003 May Just An Excuse O Haines, Mrs I K Haines Todd Mitchell 3:22.0Sly Flyin All Hart2002 April Young Rufus H Manolitsis, V, T & W Lynch, G J Carey, K R Hyslop Mark Purdon 3:21.4 Eagles Together Parisian Falcon2001 March Tupelo Rose G L Banks, M J Hanover, J D Curtin Peter Jones 3:23.6 Gracious Knight Falcon Rise2000 March Pic Me Pockets H R Bosher Tony Herlihy 3:19.8Classic Turbo Mac De Stroyer1999 April Homin Hosed Mrs M A Macey, B L Macey Todd Mitchell 3:23.1Holmes D G Yulestar1998 May OK Royal Jack Smolenski, M J Ward Jack Smolenski 3:20.6 Kliklite Liminka Lad1997 April Agua Caliente D S Short, Mrs D E J Short, Mrs D E Woods, Miss S M Short Glen Wolfenden 3:24.7 Adio Routine Captain Rufus1996 April Decision Time J M Ward James Stormont 3:22.3 GrinaldiUltra Soky1995 April Rain Again B C Madsen Neil Brady 3:23.0 Just Royce Ginger Man1994 April Montana Vance J B Hart, Mrs K J Purdon, J B Ede, D H Sixton Tony Herlihy 3:23.0 Camberley Octane Nippon Home1993 March Chokin Pacers Australia Synd, M Joyce, J Loughnan, B De Boer Tony Herlihy 3:23.3 Butler's First San Sabriel1992 April Abdias J Butcher, Mrs C M Butcher Philip Butcher 3:27.0 Tartan ClansmanSmooth Gretna1991 April Christopher Vance R R Reid, Lorna Reid Syndicate, Mrs J C Reid Tony Herlihy 3:19.5Franco Ice Mark Hanover1990 March Alert Fulla J Friedhof Maurice McKendry 3:25.8Inky Lord Defoe1989 March Dillon Dean D P Dwyer, Mrs H M C Burley Colin De Filippi 3:22.7Surmo Way Reba Lord1988 February Rostriever Hanover I A Munro, Mrs A H Munro Patrick O'Reilly 3:23.5 Speedy Cheval Elmer Gantry1986 December Trident The Horseplayers Syndicate John Hay 3:25.8 Captain Cavalla Free's Best1985 December Placid Victor Mrs L G Wilson Maurice McKendry 3:23.2 Luxury Liner Quiet Touch1984 December Roydon Glen R A McKenzie Fred Fletcher 3:25.4Comedy Lad King Alba1983 December Nostradamus W J Francis & P I Renwick Peter N Jones 3:32.4Mighty Me Borana1982 December Hilarious Guest M G Vermeulen Peter Wolfenden 3:26.2 Sharvid Skipper Enterprise1981 December Melton Monarch Jim Dalgety Barry Purdon 3:26.5 Te Puke Expects El Regale1980 December John Tudor H T & A P Dodds & B C Newton Thomas H Knowles 3:29.3 Wickliffe Frosty Lopez1979 December Tempest Tiger P K Ryder Jack Smolenski 3:27.9 Genesis Kane1978 December Locarno B J & E J Francis Robin D Butt 3:34.6 Gerry Junior Watbro1978 March Sapling G C Cruickshank & R Given Henry Skinner 3:26.4 Scottish HeathLancia1977 March Stanley Rio W J Francis & G B & J B Noble John B Noble 3:28.4 Trusty Scot Anne's Day1976 March Forto Prontezza Mrs E & A R J McNaught Henry Skinner 3:29.2Sole Command Final Curtain1975 March Josias J & Mrs C M Butcher Robert F Mitchell 3:29.6 Captain Harcourt David Garrison1974 March Speedy Guest W F Woolley Jack Smolenski 3:28.8Scottish Foil Hill Crest1973 March Tonton Macoute N M Allcock & W E Ross A K Holmes 3:10Ava HanoverDouble Cash1972 March Scottish Warrior R A McKenzie Charlie Hunter 3:10.2Morpheus Rossi Gennari1970 December Sam Tryax Mrs & R C Whitford Barry J Anderson 3:11.6 False Dream Celtic Lord1969 December Western Ridge T E Renshaw Reg J Weatherley 3:14.2 Courtnal Via Veneto1968 December Bewitched G B Noble John B Noble 2:55.8 Light Forbes Henry Allan1967 December Governor Frost C Hadley Peter Wolfenden 2:55.4 Cingalese Cheeky
Other major races
Auckland Trotting Cup Dominion Handicap Great Northern Derby New Zealand Trotting Cup Noel J Taylor Mile Rowe Cup The Race by betcha Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Miracle Mile Pace
See also
Harness racing in New Zealand Harness racing
References