The Thorndon Mile (formally WRC George Adams Handicap) is a Group Two (G2) Thoroughbred horse race contested at Trentham Racecourse by the Wellington Racing Club.
The race used to be run on Wellington Cup day, traditionally the last Saturday of January. However it has been moved to earlier in January, on the same day as the Trentham Stakes.
This race was known as the WRC George Adams Handicap until 1983. It was also known as the Jarden Mile or Jarden Morgan Mile while sponsored by that organisation over the 1984-1991 period. Other sponsors have included Hutt Valley Cartage and Harcourts real estate.
Notable winners
The Thorndon Mile has been won by many of the best horses in New Zealand, such as:
Alamosa, winner of the 2007 ARC Diamond Stakes and the 2008 Otaki-Maori Weight for Age and Toorak Handicap. Also sire of Kirramosa, winner of the 2013 VRC Oaks. Grey Way Kawi, winner of seven Group One races McGinty Melody Belle Sir Slick Wall Street, winner of the 2010 Windsor Park Plate, Spring Classic and Emirates Stakes
History
The Thorndon Mile was downgraded from Group 1 (G1) to Group 2 (G2) status for the 2026 racing season, following a review by the Asian Pattern Committee.
Race results
Year Winner Jockey Trainer(s) Owner(s) Time Second place Third2026Doctor Askar 53 Joe DoyleJoanne MossJoanne & Mrs R Jill Moss1:36.50 (soft)Marotiri Molly 53.5Belles Beau 532025Provence 53 Samantha SprattStephen Marsh T V Rider & Social Racing Ellerslie Winners Circle Syndicate 1:35.67 (good)Qali Al Farrasha 53Town Cryer 55.52024 Puntura 57Craig GryllsRobbie Patterson, New Plymouth Carole & John Lynskey1:36.05 (soft)El Vencedor 56Lady Telena 532023 He's A Doozy 57Kozzi AsanoLisa LattaM Schirnack, N & A Thompson, S Platt, J & S Dunnett, M McNeill, S Dais, P Shearer, L Purvis, K McHugh, D Masters, S Edgerton, E Tomlins & W Dixon 1.39.73 (heavy) Sharp 'N' Smart 53.5Lightning Jack 552022 The Chosen One 55Matthew CameronMurray Baker & Andrew ForsmanR L Bonnington, A G, C P, G, K J, Mrs P A & P R Dennis, Miss J L Dunlop, D G Forde, P M Jeffares, P Johnstone, G R Miller, G J Popham, Ravelston Stud Ltd, G R Redington, T V Rider & Mrs N C Robertson 1:36.05 (good)Coventina Bay 55Mali Ston 572021 Melody Belle 57Opie Bosson Jamie Richards, Matamata Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate1:38.05 (good)Sinarahma 53.5Deerfield 552020 The Mitigator 56Shaun McKayPeter McKay, MatamataRP Davis, TE Luke, N Butterfield, PT Fenwick, JP Hopkins1:35.47 (good)Wyndspelle 58Yearn 552019 Shadows Cast 58Jason WaddellMark Oulaghan, AwapuniRon Cunningham1:35.17Wyndspelle 55Watch This Space 552018 Stolen Dance 53Samantha SprattMurray Baker & Andrew Forsman, CambridgeGA Shand1:36.48Watch This Space 55Hiflyer 572017 Thee Auld Floozie 53.5Rosie MyersStephen Marsh, CambridgeP D Craighead, L G Ford, S B Marsh, M C Roughead, Two Fat Cows Syndicate, J G & Mrs S K Young1:35.03Prince Of Passion 55Abidewithme 552016 Kawi 59Leith InnesAllan Sharrock, New PlymouthAA Baeyertz, JP Goodin, GA MacDonald, GH Phillips & Est late RW Sharrock1:35.16Stolen Dance 55Sports Illustrated 552015 Puccini 57Danielle Johnson Peter & Jacob McKay, MatamataMonovale Holdings1:34.11Soriano 56Mighty Solomon 552014A Touch Of Ruby 52Craig GryllsStephen Autridge, MatamataThe Whitby Bloodstock Trust1:34.53Costume 52Sacred Star 532013Historian 53Rosie MyersGary Alton, CambridgeNgai Chun-Hung1:34.51Lady Kipling 58.5Miss Pelear 53.52012Say No More 52Rosie MyersPaul Duncan, CambridgeT N Boys, D B Capes, P G Harris, B G Hutchinson & R W Mackenzie1:37.69Postmans Daughter 56Jetset Lad 522011Booming 57Masa TanakaJeff Lynds, AwapuniDR Frampton & GKV Holdings Limited1:34.96Dasoudi 51 Eileen Dubh 52.52010Wall Street 55Buddy LammasJeff Lynds, AwapuniG G Syndicate, Limited, G K V Holdings Limited & M A Head1:33.86Tavistock 56Mill Duckie 54.52009Sir Slick 58David WalshGraeme Nicholson, Te ArohaBN Brown & GA Nicholson1:34.26Striker 51.5Culminate 562008Alamosa 57.5Paul TaylorPeter McKay, Matamata TE Luke, Mrs K & PN McKay1:35.18Dezigna 57.5Final Reality 54.52007Sir Slick 57Opie BossonGraeme Nicholson, Te ArohaBN Brown & GA Nicholson1:34.20Pins ‘N’ Needles 53Bonjour 532006Macavelli Miss 54Mark HillsRoger James, CambridgeGR, KR & Mrs MJ Downey1:34.10O’Borio 53Penitentiary 54.52005Maroofity 52.5Lisa CroppMark Walker, MatamataTauranga Racing Syndicate1:34.73Zvezda 55.5Lashed 54.52004Sir Kinloch 53.5Lee RutherfordColin Jillings & Richard Yuill, TakaniniHS, HS & SS Dyke1:36.84Sedecrem 57Elendil 502003Zvezda 55Lance O'SullivanKay Lane, RuakakaKDH Lane1:35.69Rosina Lad 55Travellin’ Man 522002Giovana 56.5Peter JohnsonCarol Marshall, CambridgeCA Marshall1:33.92Cent Home 56Hail 582001Tall Poppy 54David WalshNoel Eales, AwapuniGB & RS Fell1:35.20Giovana 54Volkaire 552000Pace Invader 51.5Paul TaylorAlvin Clark, TakaniniPR Dickinson, AR & EJ Johnson & CT Wintle1:34.34Skoozi 52Surface 56.51999Surface 52Noel HarrisNoel Eales, AwapuniND Eales & JD & Mrs PM Willis1:34.88Bluebird The Word 52Fatal 521998Fayreform 49.5Opie BossonStephen Autridge, MatamataHaunui Farm Limited & GH Madill1:35.63Des's Dream 50Rough Legend 531997Winning Wave 48Lee RutherfordFrank & Craig Richie, TakaniniCR Edkins, RB Fickling, BW Freeman & RH Jensen1:34.29Jazzac 53Vialli 58.51996Happiness 51.5Bruce ComptonNoel Eales, AwapuniChantilly Lodge Syndicate1:34.77Avedon 52Chase A Fortune 52.51995Silver Chalice 49Stewart CampbellRichard Bothwell, StratfordJE & RJ Bothwell, Mrs JA & WJ Stewart1:35.19Endless Joy 48.5Frenetic 53.51994Z'Oro 49Jo WalshFrank & Shaune Richie, TakaniniTW Archer & JH Zolezzi1:33.41Mahoenui Lass 52.5Merry Maiden 511993Calm Harbour 52Lance O'SullivanNoel Eales, AwapuniPeter Thorburn1:35.39Romanee Conti 53.5Moire 50.51992Just Tommy 52Chris JohnsonMichael Pitman, RiccartonWA Thomas1:36.36More Money 50.5Seamist 54.51991Fire Commander 49Lance O'SullivanDave & Paul O'Sullivan, MatamataAA Blackwell, BJ Lindsay & DA Smith1:35.22Seamist 50.5Greenback 48.51990Fun On The Run 52David WalshNoel Eales, AwapuniA Dennison, Mrs J Lee, Miss M Short & T Taylor1:33.94Our High Noon 49Tricavaboy 50.51989Tricavaboy 51Kim ClappertonDavid Eagar, StratfordDW & Mrs EJ & RJ Eagar1:35.84Sirstaci 49.5Bonecrusher 581988Golden King 51Phillip MercerGarth Ivil, AwapuniWG Ivil, BB O’Donnell & IAH Symes 1:33.79Star Pride 49.5Infinite Secret 531987Jonny Alone 49Paul TaylorBT Jones Mr and Mrs JT Aspinall1:37.88Knight Invader 49Crimesta 521986Pinson 54.5Jim CollettDon Couchman, HaweraJR Drought, JW Fraser, FA Long & JR Todd1:38.45Noble Note 54Tanalyse 1985Atrapar 54.5Maurice CampbellWJ Calder, LevinWJ Calder1:36.46Greatness 53Kingdom Bay 52.51984Shifnal Prince 50.5David PeakeJack Winder, CambridgeCR O’Grady & CW Reynolds1:35.08Manchu 49.5Camille 50.51983McGinty 51.5Jim CassidyColin Jillings, TakaniniKeith Haub & B J McCahill1:32.99Ringtrue 53Jon 541982Powley 52.5JD PankhurstHec Anderton, WingatuiHA Anderton 1:34.75Hikotere 49Summer Haze 551981Speculation 54.5Maurice CampbellMaurice Campbell, AwapuniAW Fogden & J Willis1:35.25Daybreak 53Anderill 561980Raywood Lass 51.5Paul BelshamEddie Rayner, MartonCJB Norwood & EW Rayner1:37.00Bra Hest 50Arbre Chene 571979Polly Porter 52.5RB WeaverP Wright, WintonMrs P Wright1:34.50Heidelberg 50Grey Way 601978Copper Belt 59Jim WalkerBrian Deacon, HaweraKevin and Mrs Kathleen Gray 1:35.00Grey Way 59Orchidra 50.51977Grey Way 56.5Bob SkeltonEP Corby, WashdykePG South1:35.50Fraxy 54.5Caruba 511976Tiptoe 51Chris McNabEric Ropiha, WoodvilleAS Fell 1:36.50Gold Ducat 51No Show 501975King's Romance 57Bill SkeltonMalcolm Smith, New Plymouth J McKendrick1:33.001974An Illusion 50.5Brent ThomsonKevin Thomson, WanganuiJP Norman 1:35.50Kaukapakapa 50.5Sir Gallivant 511973KaukapakapaBob SkeltonGeorge Cameron, TakaniniGD Cameron 1:35.001972Egmont ParkNoel HarrisBrian Deacon, HaweraIF McGuire1:39.00Dark Knowledge Nausori1971Panzer ChiefGN McLieshJohn Revell, Te ArohaPD Moran1:35.001970Honey BelleDavid PeakeGeorge Cameron, TakinaniJ Sarten 1:34.001969CarlsbergHerb RuahihiBill Aitken, BullsWL Aitken & WW Tatham 1:34.501968Bywon David Peake George Cameron, TakaniniGP Broun1:35.50NausoriBrian AndrewsBill Hillis, TakaniniMrs UE Matthews & EB Reid1:35.501967Tara's PrideJohn GryllsArchie Tudor, StratfordCW Ansford 1:34.251966ChantalGary WillettsJack Hayes, Te AwamutuMiss LE Jamieson 1:36.001965EmpyreusRon TaylorBob Quinlivan, HastingsHN Phelan 1:36.251964GymkhanaRon TaylorB J NicolED Martin1:36.251963RapidoJack MudfordBruce Priscott, Te AwamutuWB Priscott 1:35.501962StarboroughGP HulmeNoel Eales, AwapuniH Cleland1:36.50
See also
Recent winners of major Wellington and other New Zealand races Desert Gold Stakes (raced on same day) Telegraph Handicap Captain Cook Stakes Aotearoa Classic
References
N.Z. Thoroughbred Racing Inc. Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips LOVERACING.NZ - New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing 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. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2018 (47th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2017 (46th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2008 (37th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2005 (34th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2004 (33rd edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2000 (29th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1997 (26th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1995 (24th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1994 (23rd edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Meadowset Publishing, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1991 (20th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1987 (16th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1985 (Fourteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1984 (Thirteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1982 (Eleventh edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1981 (Tenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1980 (Ninth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1979 (Eighth edition).Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1978 (Seventh edition).Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1976. Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland.