Records indicate that racing first took place at Ellerslie on 25th May 1874 on a course run by the Auckland Racing Club. Prior to this date racing had already taken at a place in the vicinity of Auckland at Epsom Downs when racing was administered by two different bodies, the Turf Club and the Jockey Club. By the early 1870s these two bodies merged to form the Auckland Racing Club and set about finding a site to develop a top class racecourse. Land was acquired from Robert Graham, a wealthy Scottish born businessman who owned his own zoo. The right handed oval turf course with perimeter 9 furlongs, stages Flat racing and Steeplechases, and is located about 7 kilometres from Auckland City Centre. It hosts two of New Zealands principal races, the New Zealand Derby and the Auckland Cup, both run in March. Ellerslie was the first course to run an automatic tote which it introduced in 1913 when designed by George Julius. Each year the Pakuranga Hunt also hosts 2 meetings at the track. It boasts no less than 7 Group One races including the Railway Stakes over 1200 metres in January and the Diamond Stakes for 2 year olds over the same distance in March. The New Zealand Derby is for 3 year olds and is run in March over 2400 metres. Its inaugural running was in 1875 when won by Toi. Balmerino, later successful in England, won the race in 1975.
One of its main 2 year old races of the year is the Karaka Million, which is contested each January, and is New Zealands richest two year old race. In the 2009 renewal The Heckler was ridden to victory by Michael Rodd on Sunday 25th January. The Auckland Cup is run over 3200 metres and was introduced in 1874 when Templeton won. By 2008 the winner was Prize Lady scoring an unusual, but not unique, double.
Auckland Cup winners since its inception in 1874
1874 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Templeton
1875 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Kingfisher
1876 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Ariel
1877 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Lara
1878 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Ariel
1879 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Ariel
1880 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Foul Play
1881 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by King Quail
1882 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Welcome Jack
1883 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Salvage
1884 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by The Poet
1885 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Nelson
1886 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Nelson
1887 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Nelson
1888 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Lochiel
1889 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Leopold
1890 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Crackshot
1891 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Pinfire
1892 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by St Hippo
1893 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Pegasus
1894 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Lottie
1895 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Anita
1896 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Nestor
1897 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Antares
1898 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Uhlan
1899 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Blue Jacket
1900 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Blue Jacket
1901 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by St Michael
1902 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Siege Gun
1903 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Wairiki
1904 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Mahutonga
1905 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Putty
1906 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Master Delaval
1907 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Zimmerman
1908 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by All Red
1909 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by All Red
1910 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Waimangu
1911 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Santa Rosa
1912 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Bobrikoff
1913 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Sir Solo
1914 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Warstep
1915 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Balboa
1916 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Depredation
1917 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Fiery Cross
1918 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Mascot
1919 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Karo
1920 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Starland
1921 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Malaga
1922 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Scion
1923 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres resulted in a dead heat between Muraahi and Te Kara
1924 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Te Kara
1925 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Rapine
1926 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Tanadees
1927 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Rapier
1928 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Corinax
1929 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Concentrate
1930 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Motere
1931 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Admiral Drake
1932 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Fast Passage
1933 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Minerval
1934 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Gold Trail
1935 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Cuddle
1936 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Cuddle
1937 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by The Buzzer
1938 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Cheval De Volee
1939 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Cheval De Volee
1940 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Beau Vite
1941 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Piastre
1942 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Kindergarten
1943 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Lord Chancellor
1944 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Foxwyn
1945 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Expanse
1946 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Sylis
1947 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Balgowan
1948 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Frances
1949 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Swanee
1950 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Beaumaris
1951 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Classowa
1952 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Rev
1953 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Coaltown
1954 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Arawa
1955 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Tesla
1956 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Yeman
1957 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was not contested
1958 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Red Eagle
1959 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Froth
1960 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Marie Brizard
1961 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Ruato
1962 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Floutulla
1963 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Stipulate
1964 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Senor
1965 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Lucky Son
1966 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Apa
1967 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Royal Sheen
1968 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Bright Chief
1969 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Il Tempo
1970 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Il Tempo
1971 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Artifice
1972 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Sailing Home
1973 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Apollo Eleven
1974 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Rose Mellay
1975 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Kia Maia
1976 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Perhaps
1977 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Royal Cadenza
1978 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Stylemaster
1979 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Tamboura
1980 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Blue Denim
1981 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Drum
1982 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Chimbu
1983 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Fountaincourt
1984 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Stylish Dude
1985 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Secured Deposit
1986 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Kerry Lane
1987 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Kotare Chief
1988 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Sea Swift
1989 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Spyglass
1990 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Miss Stanima
1991 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Star Harvest
1992 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Castletown
1993 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Ligeiro
1994 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Miltak
1995 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Royal Tiara
1996 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Senator
1997 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Yobro
1998 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Jezabeel
1999 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Irish Chance
2000 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Able Master
2001 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Our Unicorn
2002 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Maguire
2003 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Bodie
2004 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Upsetthym
2005 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Bazelle
2006 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Pentaine
2007 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Prize Lady
2008 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Prize Lady
2009 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Spin Around
2010 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Zavite
2011 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Titch
2012 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Shez Sinsational
2013 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Sangster
2014 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Who Shot The Barman
2015 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Rock Diva
2016 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by El Soldado
2017 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Chenille
2018 The Auckland Cup over 3200 metres was won by Ladies First
Karaka Million winners since its inception in 2008
2008 The Karaka Million over 1200 metres was won by Vincent Mangano
2009 The Karaka Million over 1200 metres was won by The Heckler
2010 The Karaka Million over 1200 metres was won by Sister Havana
2011 The Karaka Million over 1200 metres was won by Fort Lincoln
2012 The Karaka Million over 1200 metres was won by Ockhams Razor
2013 The Karaka Million over 1200 metres was won by Ruud Awakening
2014 The Karaka Million over 1200 metres was won by Vespa
2015 The Karaka Million over 1200 metres was won by Hardline
2016 The Karaka Million over 1200 metres was won by Xiong Feng
2017 The Karaka Million over 1200 metres was won by Melody Belle
2018 The Karaka Million over 1200 metres was won by Avantage
