Railway Stakes (New Zealand)

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

Railway Stakes

Group I race
Location	Ellerslie Racecourse Auckland, New Zealand
Inaugurated	1890
Race type	Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Website	www.ellerslie.co.nz
Race information
Distance	1200m (6 furlongs)
Surface	Turf
Track	Right-handed
Qualification	Three-year-olds and up
Weight	Set Weights & Penalties
Purse	NZ$450,000 (2024)

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.

Winners Since 1970

The following are brief details of the previous winners^[1] of the Railway Stakes.^[2]

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer	Time	Second	Third
2024[3]	Waitak 55	Warren Kennedy	Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott	1:09.76 (Pukekohe)	Bonny Lass 54	Mercurial 55
2023[4]	Imperatriz 56	Opie Bosson	Mark Walker	1:08.90 (Te Rapa)	Babylon Berlin 54	Levante 57
2022[5]	Entriviere 55	Opie Bosson	Jamie Richards, Matamata	1:09.36	Levante 55	Babylon Berlin 53.5
2021[6]	Avantage 57	Opie Bosson	Jamie Richards, Matamata	1:08.91	Julius 58	Levante 53.5
2020[7]	Julius[8] 56	Jason Waddell[9]	John Bell, Cambridge	1:09.70	Winter Bride	Evalina
2019[10]	Santa Monica 53 [11]	Trudy Thornton	Stephen Ralph, Te Awamutu	1:09.47	Princess Kereru	Melody Belle
2018[12]	Volpe Veloce 54 [13]	Jake Bayliss	Graham Richardson, Matamata	1:10.65	Packing Eagle	Volks Lightning
2017[14]	Start Wondering 55.5	Johnathan Parkes	J J & Evan Rayner, Whanganui	1:08.84	Perfect Fit	Reilly Lincoln
2016[15]	Ryan Mark 56 [16]	Opie Bosson	John Morell, Te Rapa	1:11.04	Allez Eagle	Natuzzi
2015[17]	In Style 54	Leith Innes	Danica Guy, Matamata	1:10.34	Whosyourmaster	Durham Town
2014[18]	Bounding [19] 52	Mark Du Plessis	Ken & Bev Kelso, Matamata	1:10.25	Waterford	Little Wonder
2013[20]	Fleur de Lune 54	Jason Jago	Lee Somerville, Cambridge	1:09.21	Jetset Lad	Durham Town
2012[21]	Atomic Force 58	Nash Rawiller	Gai Waterhouse, Randwick (AUS)	1:11.57	The Hombre	Twilight Savings
2011[22]	Miss Raggedy Ann 53	Natasha Collett	Andrew Scott, Matamata	1:09.87	Atapi	Tip The Wink
2010[23]	A Gold Trail 57	Michael Rodd	Gary Portelli, Warwick Farm Racecourse (AUS)	1:09.34	Atapi	Richard Beymer
2009[24]	Jacowils 55.5	Mark Hills	Kristin Stead, Te Rapa	1:09.60	Dashing Donna	Pinsoir
2008[25]	Imananabaa 54	Andrew Calder	Don Sellwood, Cambridge	1:09.04	Needuask	Brianna
2007[26]	Donna Rosita 51	Lisa Cropp	Piri Ranui, Tauranga	1:09.74	Gee I Jane	Imananabaa
2006[27]	Baldessarini 53.5	Lisa Cropp	Anne Herbert	1:08.85	Gee I Jane 55	Pin Up Boy 52.5
2005	Recurring 56	Hayden Tinsley	Gerald Ryan, Rosehill (AUS)	1:10.12	Gee I Jane 51.5	Sedecrem 56
2004	Vinaka	Opie Bosson	Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata	1:08.66	Pay My Bail	Tully Dane
2003	Egyptian Raine 52	Lance O'Sullivan	Kenny Rae, Ruakaka	1:08.66	Gwen’s Rules 52	Marcurous 52
2002	Sound The Alarm	Gary Grylls	Richard Otto, Te Aroha	1:09.97	Super Impressive	Vinaka
2001	Fritz 58	Noel Harris	Neil Coulbeck, Leithfield	1:10.45	O’Malleys Boy 58	Travellin’ Man 56
2000	Cannsea 53.5	Michael Coleman	Michael Moroney & Andrew Scott, Matamata	1:09.63	Cullen 51.5	Star Of Gold 53.5
1999	Bawalaksana 50.5	Chris Munce	Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata	1:09.69	Dantelah 50	Vain Ana 54
1998	Coogee Walk 51	Shane Dye	Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata	1:08.55	Rebel 51	Paint 50
1997	Kailey 50.5	Lisa Cropp	Graham Richardson, Matamata	1:08.50	Krispin Klear 55.5	Coberger 55
1996	Loader 52.5	Chris Johnson	Peter & Dawn Williams	1:08.83	Red Cent 52	So Keen 51
1995	Coberger 48.5	Matthew Williamson	Chris & Jim Gibbs, Matamata	1:09.74	Lord Tridan 57	Ensign Ewart 51.5
1994	Ensign Ewart 50.5	Lance O'Sullivan	Dave & Paul O’Sullivan, Matamata	1:08.70	Lord Tridan 53.5	Delanira 49
1993	Hypervain 54	David Peake	Charlie Faulkner, Takanini	1:08.42	Lord Tridan 54	Hulastrike 51
1992	Vain Sovereign 55	Brian Hibberd	Maurice Campbell, Wanganui	1:10.68	Rua Rukuna 55	Morar 48
1991	Mr Tiz 58.5	Lance O'Sullivan	Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata	1:10.28	Anne Of Stratford 52.75	Foreign Influence 47.75
1990	Mr Tiz 52.5	Lance O'Sullivan	Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata	1:09.83	Este’s Park 50.5	Vain Sovereign 51
1989 (Dead Heat)	Mr Tiz 48.5	Lisa Cropp	Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata	1:10.57	-	Her Royal Highness 48
1989 (Dead Heat)	Westminster 54.5	Maurice Campbell	Ngaire Fraser	1:10.57	-	Her Royal Highness 48
1988	Alynda 48.5	Cathrine Treymane	Alan Jones, Cambridge	1:08.47	Courier Bay 57.5	Spring Easy 49.5
1987	Diamond Lover 51.75	Grant Cooksley	Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill, Takanini	1:07.73	Courier Bay 53.5	High Regards 53.5
1986	Silver Tip 48	Lance O'Sullivan	Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata	1:08.37	Wrens Trophy 47.5	Princess Dram 52
1985	Ardee One 47	Roy McKay	Bill Weal, Te Awamutu	1:08.63	War Like 47.5	Romantic Bay 47.5
1984	Pinson 53	Gary Phillips	Don Couchman, Hawera	1:09.69	Flying Dream 47.5	Ebony Belle 47.5
1983	So Dandy 53.5	David Walsh	Keith Opie, Te Aroha	1:09.69	Our Shah 57	Pia Roona 53
1982	Valencia 51.5	Greg Childs	Jim Gibbs, Matamata	1:11.34	Our Shah 53.5 / Kerryman 51 (dead heat)	-
1981	Gold Hope 49	David Peake	Ray Verner, Takanini	1:10.87	Valencia 51	Royal Fencer 52.5
1980 [28]	Arbre Chene 55.5	Alvin Tweedie	Clive Bennett, Pukekoe	1:13.2	Babbling Brooke 53.5	Luck Roona 52.5
1979[29]	Al Donte 49.5	Rodney Heaslip	Don Sellwood, Hastings	1:11.31	Babbling Brooke 53.5	Lady Belle 56.5
1978 [30]	Silver Liner 52.5	Brent Thomson	Eric Ropiha, Woodville	1:10.58	Silver Wraith 48	Sly Wink 50
1977	Tudor Light 55.5	Warwick Robinson	John Malcolm, Te Rapa	1:11.5	Blue Blood	Chrisarda
1976 [31]	Marinoto 49.5	Danny Southworth	F M Walsh, Inglewood	1:10.9	Blue Blood 57.5	Glengarick 50
1975	Shifnal Chief 59	Bob Skelton	I M & J R Cameron, Taupiri	1:11	Soliloquy	Blanco Sol
1974	Blue Blood 50	David Peake	Ray Verner, Takanini	1:10	Sharif 54.5	Ernader 52.5
1973	Lilt 8.13	Bob Skelton	Ray Bain, Hastings	1:10
1972	Ajasco 8.8	Bruce Marsh	Eric Ropiha, Woodville	1:12.6	New Moon	Tauporae
1971	Sharivari 8.12	Grenville Hughes	Colin Jillings, Takanini	1:10		Tauporae
1970	Mayo Gold[32] 8.12	Brian Andrews	Ray Wallace, Takanini[33]	1:09.8

See also

• Recent winners of major NZ sprint races
• Telegraph Handicap
• Waikato Sprint
• Auckland Cup
• Zabeel Classic

References

1. "NZ Railway Stakes | Past Winners | Results | New Zealand". January 2024.
2. "Feature Races".
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4. "Race 7 SISTEMA RAILWAY at WAIKATO RC on 1 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ".
5. "Race 8 SISTEMA RAILWAY at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 1 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
6. "Race 9 SISTEMA RAILWAY at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
7. "Race 9 SISTEMA RAILWAY at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
8. "Fairytale comes true at Ellerslie". 31 December 2019.
9. "Jockey Comments: Sistema Railway". January 2020.
10. "Race 9 SISTEMA RAILWAY at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
11. "Outsider wins Railway Stakes".
12. "Race 9 SISTEMA RAILWAY at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
13. Irvine, Greg (January 2018). "Volpe Veloce a Great Result for Magic Millions". Magic Millions.
14. "Race 9 SISTEMA RAILWAY at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
15. "Race 9 SISTEMA RAILWAY STAKES at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
16. "John Morell and Ryan Mark break Ellerslie hoodoo in Railway Stakes". January 2016.
17. "Race 8 SISTEMA RAILWAY STAKES at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
18. "Race 8 SISTEMA RAILWAY STAKES at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
19. "Racing: Du Plessis on right track for Bounding". 31 December 2013.
20. "Race 8 SISTEMA RAILWAY STAKES at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
21. "Race 8 BLANDFORD LODGE RAILWAY STAKES at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2012 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
22. "Race 8 BLANDFORD LODGE RAILWAY STAKES at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2011 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
23. "Race 8 BLANDFORD LODGE RAILWAY STAKES at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2010 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
24. "Race 8 WAIWERA RAILWAY STAKES at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2009 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
25. "Race 8 WAIWERA MINERAL WATER RAILWAY HANDICAP at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2008 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
26. "Race 8 WAIWERA INFINITY RAILWAY HANDICAP at AUCKLAND RC on 1 JAN 2007 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
27. "Baldessarini (NZ) 2000 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
28. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1980 (Ninth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
29. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1979 (Eighth edition).Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
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31. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1976. Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland.
32. "Win for 90-year-old Auckland breeder - White Robe Lodge". whiterobelodge.co.nz.
33. https://www.racingnews.co.nz/link-to-takanini-lost-with-death-of-ray-wallace/ ^{[bare URL]}

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