The Railway Stakes is a Group One New Zealand horse race. Held at Ellerslie it is raced over 1200 metres, and is one of New Zealand's feature sprint races.

Among its most notable winners are:

Avantage, the winner of the 2021 Railway, the 2020 and 2021 Telegraph Handicap, 2020 Otaki-Maori Weight for Age, Foxbridge Plate and Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes. Bawakalasana the winner of both the Railway and the Telegraph Handicap in 1999. Diamond Lover in 1987 who broke the Ellerslie track record, running 1:07.73. Imperatriz in 2023, who went on to win multiple group 1 races in Australia. Loader, the winner of the Railway and Telegraph Handicap in 1996. Mayo Gold in 1970, the first winner to finish under 1:10. the great Mr Tiz, who won this race three times (1989–1991), the 1991 Waikato Sprint and the 1989 and 1990 Telegraph Handicap. Rizzio, the 1948 and 1949 winner. Tudor Light, in 1977. Yahabeebe, the 1957 and 1958 winner.

Some of the biggest upsets in the history of the race were in 2009 when Jacowils triumphed at odds of 104-1, and in 2011 when Miss Raggedy Ann won the race as the 86-1 outsider.

In 2014, the exceptional filly Bounding became the first 3-year-old to win the Railway in 33 years.

In 2025 the Railway Stakes was moved from on New Year's Day to the Karaka Million meeting in late January.

Winners Since 1970 The following are brief details of the previous winners of the Railway Stakes.

Year Winner Jockey Trainer(s) Time Second Third 2026Jigsaw 57Logan Bates (a)Cindy Alderson, Cranbourne, Victoria 1:09.55 (soft)Arkansaw Kid 58Sweynesday 552025Crocetti 56.5 Warren Kennedy Danny Walker & Arron Tata 1:10.22 (soft)Alabama Lass 52 Luberon 552024 Waitak 55Warren Kennedy Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott 1:09.76 (Pukekohe) Bonny Lass 54 Mercurial 552023Imperatriz 56Opie BossonMark Walker1:08.90 (Te Rapa)Babylon Berlin 54Levante 572022Entriviere 55Opie BossonJamie Richards, Matamata1:09.36 Levante 55Babylon Berlin 53.52021Avantage 57Opie Bosson Jamie Richards, Matamata1:08.91Julius 58Levante 53.52020 Julius 56 Jason Waddell John Bell, Cambridge1:09.70 Winter BrideEvalina2019 Santa Monica 53 Trudy Thornton Stephen Ralph, Te Awamutu1:09.47Princess Melody Belle2018New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2018 (47th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. Volpe Veloce 54 Jake Bayliss Graham Richardson, Matamata1:10.65Packing Eagle Volks Lightning2017New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2017 (46th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. Start Wondering 55.5Johnathan Parkes J J & Evan Rayner, Whanganui 1:08.84Perfect Fit Reilly Lincoln2016 Ryan Mark 56 Opie BossonJohn Morell, Te Rapa 1:11.04 Allez EagleNatuzzi2015 In Style 54Leith InnesDanica Guy, Matamata 1:10.34Whosyourmaster Durham Town2014 Bounding 52 Mark Du PlessisKen & Bev Kelso, Matamata 1:10.25Waterford Little Wonder2013 Fleur de Lune 54 Jason JagoLee Somerville, Cambridge 1:09.21 Jetset LadDurham Town2012 Atomic Force 58 Nash RawillerGai Waterhouse, Randwick (AUS)1:11.57The Hombre Twilight Savings2011 Miss Raggedy Ann 53 Natasha CollettAndrew Scott, Matamata 1:09.87Atapi Tip The Wink2010 A Gold Trail 57Michael Rodd Gary Portelli, Warwick Farm Racecourse (AUS) 1:09.34 AtapiRichard Beymer2009 Jacowils 55.5Mark HillsKristin Stead, Te Rapa 1:09.60Dashing Donna Pinsoir2008New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2008 (37th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand. Imananabaa 54Andrew Calder Don Sellwood, Cambridge 1:09.04Needuask Brianna2007 Donna Rosita 51Lisa CroppPiri Ranui, Tauranga 1:09.74Gee I Jane Imananabaa2006 Baldessarini 53.5 Lisa Cropp Anne Herbert 1:08.85 Gee I Jane 55Pin Up Boy 52.52005New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2005 (34th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand. Recurring 56 Hayden TinsleyGerald Ryan, Rosehill (AUS)1:10.12Gee I Jane 51.5 Sedecrem 562004New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2004 (33rd edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand. Vinaka Opie BossonPaul O'Sullivan, Matamata 1:08.66Pay My Bail Tully Dane2003 Egyptian Raine 52 Lance O'Sullivan Kenny Rae, Ruakaka1:08.66Gwen's Rules 52 Marcurous 522002 Sound The Alarm Gary Grylls Richard Otto, Te Aroha 1:09.97Super Impressive Vinaka2001 Fritz 58Noel Harris Neil Coulbeck, Leithfield1:10.45 O’Malleys Boy 58Travellin’ Man 562000New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2000 (29th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. Cannsea 53.5 Michael ColemanMichael Moroney & Andrew Scott, Matamata 1:09.63Cullen 51.5 Star Of Gold 53.51999 Bawalaksana 50.5 Chris Munce Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata 1:09.69Dantelah 50 Vain Ana 541998 Coogee Walk 51 Shane Dye Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata 1:08.55 Rebel 51Paint 501997New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1997 (26th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand. Kailey 50.5 Lisa Cropp Graham Richardson, Matamata 1:08.50Krispin Klear 55.5 Coberger 551996 Loader 52.5 Chris JohnsonPeter & Dawn Williams 1:08.83Red Cent 52 So Keen 511995New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1995 (24th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand. Coberger 48.5 Matthew WilliamsonChris & Jim Gibbs, Matamata 1:09.74Lord Tridan 57Ensign Ewart 51.51994New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1994 (23rd edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Meadowset Publishing, Auckland, New Zealand. Ensign Ewart 50.5 Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O’Sullivan, Matamata1:08.70Lord Tridan 53.5 Delanira 491993 Hypervain 54 David Peake Charlie Faulkner, Takanini 1:08.42 Lord Tridan 54Hulastrike 511992 Vain Sovereign 55 Brian HibberdMaurice Campbell, Wanganui 1:10.68Rua Rukuna 55 Morar 481991New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1991 (20th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. Mr Tiz 58.5 Lance O'SullivanDave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata 1:10.28Anne Of Stratford 52.75 Foreign Influence 47.751990 Mr Tiz 52.5 Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata 1:09.83 Este's Park 50.5Vain Sovereign 511989 (Dead Heat) Mr Tiz 48.5 Lisa Cropp Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata 1:10.57 - Her Royal Highness 481989 (Dead Heat) Westminster 54.5 Maurice Campbell Ngaire Fraser 1:10.57 - Her Royal Highness 481988 Alynda 48.5Cathrine Treymane Alan Jones, Cambridge1:08.47Courier Bay 57.5 Spring Easy 49.51987New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1987 (16th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. Diamond Lover 51.75 Grant Cooksley Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill, Takanini 1:07.73 Courier Bay 53.5 High Regards 53.51986 Silver Tip 48 Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata 1:08.37 Wrens Trophy 47.5Princess Dram 521985New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1985 (Fourteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. Ardee One 47Roy McKay Bill Weal, Te Awamutu1:08.63 War Like 47.5Romantic Bay 47.51984New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1984 (Thirteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. Pinson 53Gary PhillipsDon Couchman, Hawera 1:09.69 Flying Dream 47.5Ebony Belle 47.51983 So Dandy 53.5David Walsh Keith Opie, Te Aroha1:09.69 Our Shah 57 Pia Roona 531982New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1982 (Eleventh edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. Valencia 51.5Greg ChildsJim Gibbs, Matamata 1:11.34 Our Shah 53.5 / Kerryman 51 (dead heat)-1981New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1981 (Tenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. Gold Hope 49David PeakeRay Verner, Takanini 1:10.87 Valencia 51Royal Fencer 52.51980 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1980 (Ninth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. Arbre Chene 55.5 Alvin TweedieClive Bennett, Pukekoe 1:13.2 Babbling Brooke 53.5 Luck Roona 52.51979New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1979 (Eighth edition).Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. Al Donte 49.5 Rodney Heaslip Don Sellwood, Hastings 1:11.31 Babbling Brooke 53.5 Lady Belle 56.51978 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1978 (Seventh edition).Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. Silver Liner 52.5 Brent ThomsonEric Ropiha, Woodville 1:10.58 Silver Wraith 48Sly Wink 501977 Tudor Light 55.5 Warwick RobinsonJohn Malcolm, Te Rapa 1:11.5 Blue BloodChrisarda1976 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1976. Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland. Marinoto 49.5 Danny SouthworthF M Walsh, Inglewood 1:10.9 Blue Blood 57.5 Glengarick 501975 Shifnal Chief 59 Bob SkeltonI M & J R Cameron, Taupiri 1:11 Soliloquy Blanco Sol1974 Blue Blood 50David PeakeRay Verner, Takanini 1:10 Sharif 54.5 Ernader 52.51973 Lilt 8.13Bob SkeltonRay Bain, Hastings1:10 1972 Ajasco 8.8Bruce MarshEric Ropiha, Woodville1:12.6 New Moon Tauporae1971 Sharivari 8.12Grenville HughesColin Jillings, Takanini1:10 Tauporae1970 Mayo Gold 8.12Brian AndrewsRay Wallace, Takanini1:09.8

See also Recent winners of major NZ sprint races Telegraph Handicap Waikato Sprint Auckland Cup Aotearoa Classic Karaka Million Zabeel Classic

References

External links N.Z. Thoroughbred Racing Inc. TAB | Sports & Racing Betting Online in New Zealand 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.