The Northern Derby, which was formerly known as the Great Northern Derby, is a Group 1 harness racing event for 3 year old standardbreds. It is a major event for 3 year old colts and geldings in New Zealand and currently run at Alexandra Park in Auckland, in March.

Records

Most wins by a driver: 6 - Mark Purdon (1995, 1996, 2008, 2016, 2020, 2022| 5 - Barry Purdon (1981, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997) 6 - Tony Herlihy (1988, 1990, 2004, 2013, 2021)

Winners list Winners of the Northern Derby include some of the best horses produced in New Zealand.

Year Horse Owner Driver Time 2025MarketplaceMrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, P I Baken, Small Car World Ltd, R J Magness, R W ToddCraig Ferguson3:14.92024Cold ChiselMontana Park Pty Ltd Zachary Butcher3:20.822023 MerlinMontana Park Pty LtdZachary Butcher3:18.22022 Akuta Cullen Breeding Limited, Mark Purdon Mark Purdon 3:19.92021KrugMrs C M Dalgety, M P Hanning, McKerrow Bloodstock Limited, G P Merlo, P J Creighton, Mrs M C Creighton, G E Dickey, K J Cummings Tony Herlihy 3:18.02020 Amazing Dream Mrs J L Feiss Mark Purdon 3:16.2 2019 Ultimate Sniper Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, G R Douglas, P J Creighton, Mrs M C Creighton, K J Riseley Natalie Rasmussen 3:22.6 2018 Chase Auckland Alabar Racing Syndicate Natalie Rasmussen 3:16.8 2017 Raukapuka Ruler Colt 45 Syndicate Dexter Dunn 3:17.4 2016 Lazarus Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, T G Casey, K J Riseley Mark Purdon 3:17.1 2015 Have Faith In Me D M Dunford, M D Dunford Tim Williams 3:18.72014 Tiger Tara R L Sandford, Mrs J A Sandford, J S Gould, G R Dunn Gerard O'Reilly 3:21.12013 Ohoka Punter K Carville Tony Herlihy 3:19.22012 Ideal Scott Est J F Twomey, J W Devlin, Mrs P G Hughes, Mrs M E Green Todd Macfarlane 3:19.12011 Sushi Sushi P Sequenzia, A Cendron, P D'Alessi, P Sergi Greg Sugars 3:17.02010 Russley Rascal N Pilcher, R W Grice Blair Orange 3:20.52009 Stunin Cullen T McDonald, E C Griffin Anthony Butt 3:23.22008 Fiery Falcon Ms M M Wilson, Est Sir Roy McKenzie, Rona McKay, P I Kennard, Mrs G J Kennard, Clive McKay Mark Purdon 3:20.82007 Changeover A.T.C. Trot 2006 Syndicate David Butcher 3:21.82005 Monkey King Cavalla Bloodstock Limited Todd Mitchell 3:24.82004 Badlands Bute Lincoln Farms Ltd Tony Herlihy 3:23.82003 Winforu Mrs M E Wych, J C McJorrow Maurice McKendry 3:01.62002 Elsu Mrs J Walters, Double Up Syndicate, Est D Hudson, Mrs P Small David Butcher 3:20.72001 All Hart J R Duncalf, W Harvey, R C Mills, L C O'Connor David Butcher 3:20.52000 Matai Mackenzie A.T.C. Trot 2000 Syndicate Brent Mangos 3:25.21999 Stars And Stripes C N Radford, Mrs J Z Radford Ken Barron 3:20.41998 Courage Under Fire G W Brodie Colin De Filippi 3:20.91997 Holmes D G Second Five Syndicate Barry Purdon 3:20.11996 The Court Owl W G Kitcher, G W Hutchison Mark Purdon 3:25.71996 Lavros Star R M Cameron, Kypros Kotzikas Anthony Butt 3:23.41995 Il Vicolo J H Seaton, Mark Purdon Mark Purdon 3:28.11994 Ginger Man G W Brodie Barry Purdon 3:23.31993 Hitchcock L G Christensen, W R Pengelly, J S S Richardson, N J Taylor Barry Purdon 3:23.01992 Rainbow Fella T J Hackett, R J Hall Richard Brosnan 3:28.21991 Sogo Parnell Syndicate Barry Purdon 3:23.51990 Christopher Vance R R Reid, Lorna Reid Syndicate, Mrs J C Reid Tony Herlihy 3:23.31989 Inky Lord G M Saunders Ricky May 3:29.91988 Godfrey R O Baynes, Mrs B M Ludke Tony Herlihy 3:22.51987 Race Ruler A E Wallis, L W Giraud Maurice McKendry 3:25.21986 Laser Lad G Calderwood, B Vickery, W L Crawford, K J English Peter Jones 3:25.61985 Nardinski B J, B R, D J & Mrs Smolenski Jack Smolenski 3:28.91984 Roydon Glen Roy McKenzie W F (Fred) Fletcher 3:29.61983 Mighty Me C W & Mrs S M McLachlan Robert M Cameron 3:31.21982 Mel's Boy P J & Est B L Robertson Jack Smolenski 3:261981 Melton Monarch Jim Dalgety Barry Purdon 3:30.91980 Armbro Wings S K & J A Somerville & A L Milne Colin De Filippi 3:36.31979 Matai Dreamer A L & Mrs N Milne Robert M Cameron 3:29.81978 Main Star A L & Mrs B Kerslake & F Woolley Robert M Cameron 3:26.81977 Sapling R Given & G C Cruickshank D J McNaught 3:28.71976 Ripper's Delight Ripper Syndicate A K Holmes 3:32.61974 Captain Harcourt E J Bennett Peter Wolfenden 3:27.61973 Speedy Guest W F Woolley Jack W Smolenski 3:13.41971 Roydon Roux Roy McKenzie Doug R Mangos 3:12.81970 Caledonian Garrison H C & J S JStormont J Butcher 3:16.61969 First Batch D Mace R J Weatherley 3:14.21968 Garcon Roux Roy McKenzie J B Noble 3:21.81967 Cardinal Garrison Mrs R C Nelmes & P G Trigg R Young 3:10.41966 Governor Frost C Hadley Peter Wolfenden 2:56.21965 Tutta Tryax H S Barry M F Holmes 2:58.21964 Golden Oriole M A Butt W R Butt 2:55.21963 Scottish Laddie Roy McKenzie Doug Mangos 2:57.81962 Tactile A J & D P Dynes D J Townley 3:11.21961 Waitaki Hanover F Smith Peter Wolfenden 3:15.61960 King Hal C E Dillon D G Jones 3:23.61959 Sun Chief S Easton Doody Townley 3:14.21958 Call Boy C E Blackwell R C Purdon 3:17.21957 Firmament W Hosking F Smith jnr 3:22-31956 Giuseppe H M Allen & L J R Barrett H M Allen 3:25.41955 Canyon R B Levy A B Levy 3:20.21954 Celestial W Hosking J K Hughes 3:181953 Scottish Brigade C C Scott J B Scott 3:161952 Macall K D Fraser D G Jones 3:21.41951 Fabius J S Shaw J S Shaw 3:19.21950 Johnny Globe D G Nyhan D G Nyhan 3:17.21949 Soangetaha Mrs M A Ryland D G Jones 3:20.41948 Chamfer D McFarlane M F Holmes 3:191947 Sir Vivian P V Flexman R Young 3:18.41946 Snowflake L F Berkett L F Berkett 3:191945 Local Gold J H Parsons A B Holmes 3:21.41944 Acropolis T J Atkinson R B Berry 3:29.61944 Josie Dell F A Bridgens G Gray 3:25.21943 Golden Shadow T Rothwell J Bryce jnr 3:231942 Symphony E G Bridgens F J Smith 3:241941 Peter'S Find A W Bailey G T Mitchell 3:241940 Bonniedene Mesdames G Young & G Downes F J Smith 3:32.41939 Contender J T Paul J T Paul 3:281938 Horsepower G Rosenbaum R B Berry 3:381936 Parisienne R Revell R B Berry 3:30.61935 Valdor S W Kelly R B Berry 3:22.61934 Subsidy W J Doyle W J Doyle 3:23.21933 Chancellor E G & F A Bridgens F J Smith 3:27.41932 Indianapolis G J Barton E C McDermott 3:261931 Tempest G J Barton W J Tomkinson 3:301930 Red Shadow Deyell & Neale J Bryce 3:20.41929 Great Parrish J T Paul J T Paul 3:30.61928 Wrackler H F Nicoll M F Holmes 3:35.41927 Daphne de Oro J Washington F Holmes 3:34.61926 Great Peter J W Tims J T Paul 3:301925 Nantwich H F Nicoll A Hendricksen 3:29.61924 Glenelg C M Ollivier A Butterfield 3:33.41923 Taurekareka R M Morten J Bryce 3:291922 Acron J R McKenzie J J Kennerley 3:29.21921 Great Hope R McMillan R A McMillan 3:311920 Nelson Derby G Craw J G Robertson 3:32.21919 Lady Switin H F Nicoll F Holmes 3:35.61918 Locanda Dillon W H Robbins A Pringle 3:31.41917 President Wilson F J Remington A Hendricksen 3:34.61916 Chid W B Masham J Bryce 3:36.6

Other major races Auckland Trotting Cup New Zealand Sires Stakes 3yo Final New Zealand Trotting Cup New Zealand Free For All New Zealand Trotting Derby Noel J Taylor Mile New Zealand Messenger Rowe Cup Dominion Handicap Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Inter Dominion Trotting Championship

See also Harness racing Harness racing in New Zealand

References