Thorndon Mile

The Thorndon Mile (formally WRC George Adams Handicap) is a Group One (G1) Thoroughbred horse race contested at Trentham Racecourse by the Wellington Racing Club.

The race is run on Wellington Cup day, traditionally the last Saturday of January.

Thorndon Mile
Group I race
LocationTrentham
Wellington, New Zealand
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
Websitewww.trentham.co.nz
Race information
Distance1,600 metres
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationOpen
Purse$400,000 (2022)

This race was known as the WRC George Adams Handicap until 1983. It was also known as the Jarden Mile or Jarden Morgan Mile while sponsored by that organisation over the 1984-1991 period. Other sponsors have included Hutt Valley Cartage and Harcourts real estate.

Notable winners

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The Thorndon Mile has been won by many of the best horses in New Zealand, such as:

Race results

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Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer(s)
Owner(s)
Time
Second place
Third
2024 [2] Puntura 57 Craig Grylls Robbie Patterson, New Plymouth Carole & John Lynskey 1:36.05 (soft) El Vencedor 56 Lady Telena 53
2023 [3] He's A Doozy 57 Kozzi Asano Lisa Latta M Schirnack, N & A Thompson, S Platt, J & S Dunnett, M McNeill, S Dais, P Shearer, L Purvis, K McHugh, D Masters, S Edgerton, E Tomlins & W Dixon 1.39.73 (heavy) Sharp "N" Start 53.5 Lightning Jack 55
2022 [4] The Chosen One 55 Matthew Cameron Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman R L Bonnington, A G, C P, G, K J, Mrs P A & P R Dennis, Miss J L Dunlop, D G Forde, P M Jeffares, P Johnstone, G R Miller, G J Popham, Ravelston Stud Ltd, G R Redington, T V Rider & Mrs N C Robertson 1:36.05 (good) Coventina Bay 55 Mali Ston 57
2021 [5] Melody Belle 57 Opie Bosson Jamie Richards, Matamata Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate 1:38.05 (good) Sinarahma 53.5 Deerfield 55
2020 [6] The Mitigator 56 Shaun McKay[7] Peter McKay,[8] Matamata RP Davis, TE Luke, N Butterfield, PT Fenwick, JP Hopkins 1:35.47 (good) Wyndspelle 58 Yearn 55
2019 [9] Shadows Cast[10] 58 Jason Waddell Mark Oulaghan, Awapuni Ron Cunningham 1:35.17 Wyndspelle 55 Watch This Space 55
2018 [11] Stolen Dance[12] 53 Samantha Spratt Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman, Cambridge GA Shand 1:36.48 Watch This Space 55 Hiflyer 57
2017 [13] Thee Auld Floozie[14] 53.5 Rosie Myers Stephen Marsh, Cambridge P D Craighead, L G Ford, S B Marsh, M C Roughead, Two Fat Cows Syndicate, J G & Mrs S K Young 1:35.03 Prince Of Passion 55 Abidewithme 55
2016 [15] Kawi[16] 59 Leith Innes Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth AA Baeyertz, JP Goodin, GA MacDonald, GH Phillips & Est late RW Sharrock 1:35.16 Stolen Dance 55 Sports Illustrated 55
2015 [17] Puccini 57 Danielle Johnson [18] Peter & Jacob McKay, Matamata Monovale Holdings 1:34.11 Soriano 56 Mighty Solomon 55
2014 A Touch Of Ruby[19] 52 Craig Grylls Stephen Autridge, Matamata The Whitby Bloodstock Trust 1:34.53 Costume 52 Sacred Star 53
2013 Historian[20] 53 Rosie Myers Gary Alton, Cambridge Ngai Chun-Hung 1:34.51 Lady Kipling 58.5 Miss Pelear 53.5
2012 Say No More[21] 52 Rosie Myers Paul Duncan, Cambridge T N Boys, D B Capes, P G Harris, B G Hutchinson & R W Mackenzie 1:37.69 Postmans Daughter 56 Jetset Lad 52
2011 Booming[22] 57 Masa Tanaka Jeff Lynds, Awapuni DR Frampton & GKV Holdings Limited 1:34.96 Dasoudi 51 Eileen Dubh 52.5
2010 Wall Street[23] 55 Buddy Lammas Jeff Lynds, Awapuni G G Syndicate, Limited, G K V Holdings Limited & M A Head 1:33.86 Tavistock 56 Mill Duckie 54.5
2009 Sir Slick 58 David Walsh Graeme Nicholson, Te Aroha BN Brown & GA Nicholson 1:34.26 Striker 51.5 Culminate 56
2008 Alamosa 57.5 Paul Taylor Peter McKay, Matamata TE Luke, Mrs K & PN McKay 1:35.18 Dezigna 57.5 Final Reality 54.5
2007 Sir Slick 57 Opie Bosson Graeme Nicholson, Te Aroha BN Brown & GA Nicholson 1:34.20 Pins ‘N’ Needles 53 Bonjour 53
2006 Macavelli Miss 54 Mark Hills Roger James, Cambridge GR, KR & Mrs MJ Downey 1:34.10 O’Borio 53 Penitentiary 54.5
2005 Maroofity 52.5 Lisa Cropp Mark Walker, Matamata Tauranga Racing Syndicate 1:34.73 Zvezda 55.5 Lashed 54.5
2004 Sir Kinloch 53.5 Lee Rutherford Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill, Takanini HS, HS & SS Dyke 1:36.84 Sedecrem 57 Elendil 50
2003 Zvezda 55 Lance O'Sullivan Kay Lane, Ruakaka KDH Lane 1:35.69 Rosina Lad 55 Travellin’ Man 52
2002 Giovana 56.5 Peter Johnson Carol Marshall, Cambridge CA Marshall 1:33.92 Cent Home 56 Hail 58
2001 Tall Poppy 54 David Walsh Noel Eales, Awapuni GB & RS Fell 1:35.20 Giovana 54 Volkaire 55
2000 Pace Invader 51.5 Paul Taylor Alvin Clark, Takanini PR Dickinson, AR & EJ Johnson & CT Wintle 1:34.34 Skoozi 52 Surface 56.5
1999 Surface 52 Noel Harris Noel Eales, Awapuni ND Eales & JD & Mrs PM Willis 1:34.88 Bluebird The Word 52 Fatal 52
1998 Fayreform 49.5 Opie Bosson Stephen Autridge, Matamata Haunui Farm Limited & GH Madill 1:35.63 Des's Dream 50 Rough Legend 53
1997 Winning Wave 48 Lee Rutherford Frank & Craig Richie, Takanini CR Edkins, RB Fickling, BW Freeman & RH Jensen 1:34.29 Jazzac 53 Vialli 58.5
1996 Happiness 51.5 Bruce Compton Noel Eales, Awapuni Chantilly Lodge Syndicate 1:34.77 Avedon 52 Chase A Fortune 52.5
1995 Silver Chalice 49 Stewart Campbell Richard Bothwell, Stratford JE & RJ Bothwell, Mrs JA & WJ Stewart 1:35.19 Endless Joy 48.5 Frenetic 53.5
1994 Z'Oro 49 Jo Walsh Frank & Shaune Richie, Takanini TW Archer & JH Zolezzi 1:33.41 Mahoenui Lass 52.5 Merry Maiden 51
1993 Calm Harbour 52 Lance O'Sullivan Noel Eales, Awapuni Peter Thorburn 1:35.39 Romanee Conti 53.5 Moire 50.5
1992 Just Tommy 52 Chris Johnson Michael Pitman, Riccarton WA Thomas 1:36.36 More Money 50.5 Seamist 54.5
1991 Fire Commander 49 Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata AA Blackwell, BJ Lindsay & DA Smith 1:35.22 Seamist 50.5 Greenback 48.5
1990 Fun On The Run 52 David Walsh Noel Eales, Awapuni A Dennison, Mrs J Lee, Miss M Short & T Taylor 1:33.94 Our High Noon 49 Tricavaboy 50.5
1989 Tricavaboy 51 Kim Clapperton David Eagar, Stratford DW & Mrs EJ & RJ Eagar 1:35.84 Sirstaci 49.5 Bonecrusher 58
1988 Golden King 51 Phillip Mercer Garth Ivil, Awapuni WG Ivil, BB O’Donnell & IAH Symes 1:33.79 Star Pride 49.5 Infinite Secret 53
1987 Jonny Alone 49 Paul Taylor BT Jones Mr and Mrs JT Aspinall 1:37.88 Knight Invader 49 Crimesta 52
1986 Pinson 54.5 Jim Collett Don Couchman, Hawera JR Drought, JW Fraser, FA Long & JR Todd 1:38.45 Noble Note 54 Tanalyse
1985 Atrapar 54.5 Maurice Campbell WJ Calder, Levin WJ Calder 1:36.46 Greatness 53 Kingdom Bay 52.5
1984 Shifnal Prince 50.5 David Peake Jack Winder, Cambridge CR O’Grady & CW Reynolds 1:35.08 Manchu 49.5 Camille 50.5
1983 McGinty 51.5 Jim Cassidy Colin Jillings, Takanini Keith Haub & B J McCahill 1:32.99 Ringtrue 53 Jon 54
1982 Powley 52.5 JD Pankhurst Hec Anderton, Wingatui HA Anderton 1:34.75 Hikotere 49 Summer Haze 55
1981 Speculation 54.5 Maurice Campbell Maurice Campbell, Awapuni AW Fogden & J Willis 1:35.25 Daybreak 53 Anderill 56
1980 Raywood Lass 51.5 Paul Belsham Eddie Rayner, Marton CJB Norwood & EW Rayner 1:37.00 Bra Hest 50 Arbre Chene 57
1979 Polly Porter 52.5 RB Weaver P Wright, Winton Mrs P Wright 1:34.50 Heidelberg 50 Grey Way 60
1978 Copper Belt 59 Jim Walker Brian Deacon, Hawera Kevin and Mrs Kathleen Gray [24] 1:35.00 Grey Way 59 Orchidra 50.5
1977 Grey Way 56.5 Bob Skelton EP Corby, Washdyke PG South 1:35.50 Fraxy 54.5 Caruba 51
1976 Tiptoe 51 Chris McNab Eric Ropiha, Woodville AS Fell 1:36.50 Gold Ducat 51 No Show 50
1975 King's Romance 57 Bill Skelton Malcolm Smith, New Plymouth J McKendrick 1:33.00
1974 An Illusion 50.5 Brent Thomson Kevin Thomson, Wanganui JP Norman 1:35.50 Kaukapakapa 50.5 Sir Gallivant 51
1973 Kaukapakapa Bob Skelton George Cameron, Takanini GD Cameron 1:35.00
1972 Egmont Park Noel Harris Brian Deacon, Hawera IF McGuire 1:39.00 Dark Knowledge Nausori
1971 Panzer Chief GN McLiesh John Revell, Te Aroha PD Moran 1:35.00
1970 Honey Belle David Peake George Cameron, Takinani J Sarten 1:34.00
1969 Carlsberg Herb Ruahihi Bill Aitken, Bulls WL Aitken & WW Tatham 1:34.50
1968 Bywon David Peake George Cameron, Takanini GP Broun 1:35.50
Nausori Brian Andrews Bill Hillis, Takanini Mrs UE Matthews & EB Reid 1:35.50
1967 Tara's Pride John Grylls Archie Tudor, Stratford CW Ansford 1:34.25
1966 Chantal Gary Willetts Jack Hayes, Te Awamutu Miss LE Jamieson 1:36.00
1965 Empyreus Ron Taylor Bob Quinlivan, Hastings HN Phelan 1:36.25
1964 Gymkhana Ron Taylor B J Nicol ED Martin 1:36.25
1963 Rapido Jack Mudford Bruce Priscott, Te Awamutu WB Priscott 1:35.50
1962 Starborough GP Hulme Noel Eales, Awapuni H Cleland 1:36.50

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kawi, one of New Zealand's best horses, has been retired". Stuff. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Race 8 HARCOURTS TEAM GROUP THORNDON MILE at WELLINGTON RC on 20 JAN 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  3. ^ "Race 7 HARCOURTS THORNDON MILE at WELLINGTON RC on 28 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  4. ^ "Race 7 HARCOURTS THORNDON MILE at WELLINGTON RC on 29 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  5. ^ "Race 7 HARCOURTS THORNDON MILE at WELLINGTON RC on 30 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Race 8 HARCOURTS THORNDON MILE at WELLINGTON RC on 18 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Racing: McKay hungry for more success".
  8. ^ Desk - @nzracingnews, NZ Racing. "Family success in Thorndon Mile". RACING.COM. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Race 5 HARCOURTS THORNDON MILE at WELLINGTON RC on 19 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Shadows Cast triumphs in Thorndon Mile - Racenet".
  11. ^ "Race 5 HARCOURTS THORNDON MILE at WELLINGTON RC on 20 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  12. ^ "Mare finally steals the big dance".
  13. ^ "Race 8 HARCOURTS THORNDON MILE at WELLINGTON RC on 28 JAN 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Thorndon Mile crowning glory for Thee Auld Floozie and Stephen Marsh". 28 January 2017.
  15. ^ "Race 7 HARCOURTS THORNDON MILE at WELLINGTON RC on 23 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Kawi shows his class with brave Thorndon Mile win". 24 January 2016.
  17. ^ "Race 7 HARCOURTS THORNDON MILE at WELLINGTON RC on 24 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Another Group I success for Danielle Johnson as Puccini takes out Thorndon Mile at Trentham". 24 January 2015.
  19. ^ "In-foal Touch of Ruby ends career in grand style". 25 January 2014.
  20. ^ "Historian Springs Thorndon Mile Surprise". Blood Horse. 26 January 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  21. ^ "Racing: Say No More wins big mile".
  22. ^ "Also-rans leave punters reeling". 29 January 2011.
  23. ^ "Wall Street's Thorndon Mile victory another chapter in NZTBA member Jo Wilding's list of successes". Wall Street's Thorndon Mile victory another chapter in NZTBA member Jo Wilding's list of successes | New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Association. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  24. ^ "Lifetime of successful racehorse training". 2 February 2016.
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