Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes

The Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for middle distance horses usually at Ellerslie race course conducted by the Auckland Racing Club.

The Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes is run over 2000m. It was run at Pukekohe racecourse in 2023 due to the redevelopment of Ellerslie.

The race was previously known as the Auckland Classic or Air New Zealand Stakes.

The Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes is notable for the many winners which have a great history in the Cox Plate.

Some of those include Bonecrusher, Surfers Paradise, Solvit and Ocean Park.

The great Balmerino won the race before eventually heading to Europe where he'd be highly competitive in races like the Coronation Cup, Eclipse Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Melody Belle had a great 2019 Autumn winning the Waikato Sprint and the Otaki Maori before taking the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes. She also won the Tarzino Trophy in the next Spring before heading to success in Melbourne. Then in 2021 she won it again to break the record of Sunline in taking her 14th G1.

Avantage from the same team used the same campaign and won the G1 at Ellerslie in 2020. She has gone onto even bigger things since.

The Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes was worth NZ$450,000 in 2024.

Notable winners of Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes include Prowess (2023), Coventina Bay (2022), Avantage (2020), Melody Belle (2019/2021), Volkstok'n'Barrell (2016), Silent Achiever (2014), Ocean Park (2013), Scarlett Lady (2012), Sir Slick (2008), Xcellent (2005), Lashed (2004), Tall Poppy (2001), Showella (2000), The Message (1999), Roysyn (1996), Solvit (1993/1994), Surfers Paradise (1991), Riverina Charm (1990), Bonecrusher (1986/1988), Tidal Light (1987), The Filbert (1985), McGinty (1983/1984), La Mer (1979) and Balmerino (1977).

The 2024 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes was won by El Vencedor from Legarto and Ladies Man.