Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile
| Group I race | |
| Location | Alexandra Park Auckland, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1986 |
| Race type | Standardbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1609m |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | Right-handed oval |
| Qualification | four-year-old horses |
| Purse | NZ $110,000 (2024) |
The Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile is a Group One race for pacing horses raced at Alexandra Park, Auckland in New Zealand.
It is currently held over the distance of 1609 metres (one mile). From 2007 to 2018 it was raced over 1700m.
Traditionally the race was only for 4 year old pacers. However, from 2013 to 2015 the race was also open to five-year-olds. For the 2022 event it was opened up to all pacers.
As well as being a major event in its own right, it is also the key lead-up to the New Zealand Messenger run the following week.
The 2024 event was won by the "free legged" nine-year-old Mach Shard, driven by a junior driver Crystal Hackett at odds of $151.
Race results[edit]
| Year |
Month |
Winner |
Owner(s) |
Driver |
Time (distance) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Apr | Mach Shard[1] | Mrs K J Purdon, Mrs C Nausbaum, Mrs T L Whittaker | Crystal Hackett (J)[2] | 1:53.9 (1609m) |
| 2023 | Apr | Akuta | Cullen Breeding Limited, Mark Purdon | Mark Purdon | 1:53.80 (1609m) |
| 2022 | Apr | Spankem | Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, Breckon Racing Syndicate, J A Gibbs MNZM, Mrs A Gibbs, G A Woodham, Mrs K J Woodham | Natalie Rasmussen | 1:52.22 (1609m) |
| 2021 | Apr | Copy That | M W & Mrs M T Butterworth | Maurice McKendry | 1:54.57 (1609m) |
| 2019 | Apr | Spankem | Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, Breckon Racing Syndicate, J A Gibbs MNZM, Mrs A Gibbs, G A Woodham, Mrs K J Woodham | Natalie Rasmussen | 1:53.4 (1609m) |
| 2018 | Apr | A G's White Socks | G P Hope, P G Laboyrie, P I Baken, Mrs V M Robertson, W R Stewart, Mrs C L Stewart, A R Pullar, Mrs B E Pullar | Ricky May | 2:00.3 (1700m) |
| 2017 | Apr | Lazarus | Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, T G Casey, K J Riseley | Mark Purdon | 2:00.0 (1700m) |
| 2016 | Apr | Field Marshall | Mrs SA Brown, S B Brown | Dexter Dunn | 1:59.5 (1700m) |
| 2015 | Apr | Mossdale Conner | A G Affleck | Maurice McKendry | 1:58.1 (1700m) |
| 2014 | May | Besotted | Lincoln Farms | Simon Lawson | 2:00.0 (1700m) |
| 2013 | Apr | Christen Me | C J Roberts, V L Purdon | Dexter Dunn | 2:01.5 (1700m) |
| 2012 | Apr | Terror to Love | T McDonald | Anthony Butt | 2:03.3 (1700m) |
| 2011 | Apr | Gomeo Romeo | L T Henwood | David Butcher | 2:04.0 (1700m) |
| 2010 | Apr | Second Wind | G M Adlam | Gavin Smith | 2:02.9 (1700m) |
| 2009 | Apr | Auckland Reactor | Auckland Reactor Ltd | Blair Orange | 2:01.8 (1700m) |
| 2008 | Apr | Changeover | A.T.C. Trot 2006 Syndicate | David Butcher | 2:03.7 (1700m) |
| 2007 | Apr | Divisive | C E Rixon | Peter Rixon | 2:00.9 (1700m) |
| 2006 | Apr | Mainland Banner | I D Dobson, S J Dobson, Lynne Umar | Ricky May | 1:55.1 (1609m) |
| 2005 | Apr | V For S | L Taylor, M G Berger | Philip Butcher | 1:55.7 (1609m) |
| 2004 | Apr | Elsu | Mrs J Walters/Double Up Synd/Est D Hudson/Mrs P Small | David Butcher | 1:55.0 (1609m) |
| 2003 | Apr | Just An Excuse | O Haines, Mrs I K Haines | Todd Mitchell | 1:55.6 (1609m) |
| 2002 | Apr | Alert Motoring | Robert Reid Syndicate | Brent Mangos | 1:54.1 (1609m) |
| 2001 | Mar | Cool Hand Luke | R S Croon/M Purdon/T R Vince/J H Seaton | Tony Herlihy | 1:55.6 (1609m) |
| 2000 | Mar | Mac De Stroyer | N F MacFarlane, Mrs L M MacFarlane | Todd Macfarlane | 1:54.6 (1609m) |
| 1999 | Apr | Ho Wong | Mrs S E McKendry | Maurice McKendry | 1:55.7 (1609m) |
| 1998 | Apr | Scuse Me | J S Dalgety, Mrs V L Purdon | Frank Cooney | 1:53.5 (1609m) |
| 1997 | Apr | Agua Caliente | D S & Mrs D E J Short/Mrs D E Woods/Miss S M Short | Glen Wolfenden | 1:56.4 (1609m) |
| 1996 | Feb | Surprise Package | Mrs K J Purdon | Tony Herlihy | 1:55.6 (1609m) |
| 1995 | Feb | The Suleiman | J P Green, T G Garelja | Michael Langdon | 1:57.0 (1609m) |
| 1994 | Feb | Hitchcock | L Christensen/W Pengelly/J Richardson/N Taylor | Maurice McKendry | 1:57.6 (1609m) |
| 1993 | Feb | Tigerish | L A Turner, Mrs P L Turner | James Stormont | 1:58.7 (1609m) |
| 1992 | Feb | Abdias | J Butcher, Mrs C M Butcher | Philip Butcher | 1:55.0 (1609m) |
| 1991 | Feb | Christopher Vance | R R Reid, Lorna Reid Syndicate, Mrs J C Reid | Tony Herlihy | 1:55.4 (1609m) |
| 1990 | Feb | Defoe | Club Classic Lucky 7 Syndicate | Robert Mitchell | 1:56.9 (1609m) |
| 1989 | Feb | Kiwi Supreme | J M Cunningham | Stephen Dove | 1:57.4 (1609m) |
| 1988 | Mar | Elmer Gantry | T Milina, R Evans | Tony Milina | 1:56.7 (1609m) |
| 1987 | Apr | Jay Bee's Fella | P R Smythe | Peter Wolfenden | 1:56.8 (1609m) |
| 1986 | Mar | Master Mood | K L Williams, Mrs B A Williams, S F Wong, F B Wong | Kevin Williams | 1:57.5 (1609m) |
Other major races[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Reid, Brad (April 26, 2024). "$151 upset in sensational Taylor Mile - Harnesslink".
- ^ "From last to first: Junior driver's shock win at Alexandra Park". NZ Herald. May 5, 2024.