The 2019 New Zealand Derby was a

horse race Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic p ...

which took place at

Ellerslie Racecourse Ellerslie Racecourse is the main racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand, for thoroughbred racehorses. It is an undulating, grass circuit in the suburb of Ellerslie, with a circumference of just under 1,900 metres. Racing is conducted in a clockwi ...

on Saturday 2 March 2019. It was the 144th running of the

New Zealand Derby The New Zealand Derby is a set-weights Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds, run over a distance of 2,400 metres (12 furlongs) at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand. It is held on the first Saturday in March, as the opening day o ...

, and it was won by Crown Prosecutor. With a dividend of $105.40 for a $1 win bet, it is considered the biggest upset in Derby history. Crown Prosecutor was bred by Hesket Bloodstock in

Victoria, Australia Victoria is a state in southeastern Australia. It is the second-smallest state with a land area of , the second most populated state (after New South Wales) with a population of over 6.5 million, and the most densely populated state in Au ...

and was bought for A$50,000 at the Inglis

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

Premier Yearling Sale. He is owned by Huntingdale Lodge 2012 Ltd (managed by Harvey Green) and JML Bloodstock Ltd (Lib Petagna) and is trained by Stephen Marsh in

Cambridge Cambridge ( ) is a university city and the county town in Cambridgeshire, England. It is located on the River Cam approximately north of London. As of the 2021 United Kingdom census, the population of Cambridge was 145,700. Cambridge bec ...

. Although he had won the Wellington Stakes at Group Three level in November, Crown Prosecutor had been disappointing in two subsequent starts and had the highest odds in the 18-horse Derby field. Ridden by Craig Grylls, Crown Prosecutor raced fiercely in the early stages of the race but settled into a good position trailing the leaders. He was travelling smoothly approaching the home turn and quickened to take the lead in the straight. In A Twinkling, who had a wide run throughout the race, nevertheless provided a stern challenge in the last 200 metres. But Crown Prosecutor refused to let him pass and held him out by a head. It was a first New Zealand Derby victory for Marsh and Grylls. Marsh had two runners in the race, with ninth-placed Vernanme considered the better chance as third favourite. It was another near-miss for In A Twinkling's trainer Jamie Richards and owners Te Akau Racing. Since winning the race in

2017 File:2017 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The War Against ISIS at the Battle of Mosul (2016-2017); aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing; The Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 ("Great American Eclipse"); North Korea tests a ser ...

with Gingernuts), they have finished second two years in a row. Mongolianconqueror was beaten by a nose by Vin De Dance in

2018 File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...

Race details

* ''Sponsor:''

Vodafone New Zealand Vodafone New Zealand Limited is a New Zealand telecommunications company. It was a subsidiary of the London-listed company Vodafone Plc until 31 July 2019, when its sale to a consortium comprising Infratil Limited and Brookfield Asset Manageme ...

* ''Prize money:'' NZ$1,000,000 * ''Track:'' Good * ''Number of runners:'' 18 * ''Winner's time:'' 2:28.17

Full result

Winner's details

Further details of the winner, Crown Prosecutor: * ''Foaled:'' 19 September 2015 * ''Sire:''

Medaglia d'Oro The Gold Medal of Military Valour ( it, Medaglia d'oro al valor militare) is an Italian medal established on 21 May 1793 by King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia for deeds of outstanding gallantry in war by junior officers and soldiers. The fac ...

; * ''Dam:'' Riptide (

Exceed And Excel Exceed And Excel (foaled 5 September 2000) is a retired multiple Group 1 winning Australian thoroughbred racehorse. After his racing career ended he has been successful as a breeding stallion, having sired over 150 Stakes winners. Background T ...

) * ''Owner:'' Huntingdale Lodge 2012 Ltd (Mgr: Harvey Green) & JML Bloodstock Ltd (Mgr: L Petagna) * ''Trainer:'' Stephen Marsh * ''Breeder:'' Hesket Bloodstock * ''Starts:'' 7 * ''Wins:'' 2 * ''Seconds:'' 0 * ''Thirds:'' 2 * ''Earnings:'' $644,625

The road to the Derby

Early-season appearances in 2018-19 prior to running in the Derby. * Crown Prosecutor – ''3rd Wellington Stakes, 8th

Levin Classic The Group One Levin Classic - formerly the Bayer Classic - is one of the premier races for three-year-old thoroughbreds in New Zealand. History The race, first run under the name Levin Turf Classic, was originally run at Levin Racecourse until t ...

, 9th Waikato Guineas'' * In A Twinkling – ''4th

New Zealand 2000 Guineas The 2000 Guineas is a Group One set-weight Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses run over a distance of 1600 metres at Riccarton Park in Christchurch, New Zealand. Christchurch New Zealand cup week The New Zealand 2000 Guineas is hel ...

, 7th Uncle Remus Stakes, 13th Karaka Million 3YO Classic, 2nd Avondale Guineas'' * Platinum Invador – ''9th Avondale Guineas'' * Arrogant – ''9th Sarten Memorial, 7th Auckland Guineas, 6th

, 2nd Waikato Guineas'' * Surely Sacred – ''2nd Bonecrusher Stakes, 1st Auckland Guineas, 5th

Karaka Million The Karaka Million refers to two major New Zealand horse races for young horses - the original Karaka Million for two-year-old (2YO) horses and the Karaka Million 3YO Classic that started in 2018. Held at Ellerslie Racecourse, they are New Zeala ...

3YO Classic, 1st Avondale Guineas'' * Bobby Dee – ''10th Trevor Eagle Memorial, 6th Auckland Salver, 4th Avondale Guineas'' * Tolemac – ''4th Geelong Classic, 14th

Victoria Derby The Victoria Derby, also known as the Penfolds Victoria Derby, is a Victoria Racing Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held under Set Weights conditions over a distance of 2,500 metres at Flemington Racecourse, in Melbour ...

, 8th Auckland Guineas, 14th Avondale Guineas'' * Prise De Fer – ''6th

3YO Classic, 5th Avondale Guineas'' * Vernanme – ''5th Uncle Remus Stakes, 2nd

, 3rd Avondale Guineas'' * Cutadeel – ''1st Auckland Salver, 13th Avondale Guineas'' * The Chosen One – ''1st Zacinto Stakes, 11th

, 4th Waikato Guineas, 7th Avondale Guineas'' * Swords Drawn – ''2nd Wellington Stakes, 3rd Auckland Salver, 14th Karaka Million 3YO Classic, 11th Avondale Guineas'' * Sir Nate – ''7th

Hawke's Bay Guineas The Hawke's Bay Guineas is a major Thoroughbred horse race in New Zealand for three-year-old horses. In 2003 the stake was boosted to $100,000 and the race was moved to the first Saturday in October, meaning that it is run on the same day as the S ...

, 3rd

, 10th

3YO Classic, 6th Avondale Guineas'' * Botti – ''4th Wanganui Guineas, 11th

Moonee Valley Vase The Moonee Valley Vase is a registered Moonee Valley Racing Club Group races, Group 2 Thoroughbred horse race held under Set Weights conditions, for horses aged three-years-old, over a distance of 2040 metres. It is held at Moonee Valley Racecourse ...

, 12th Avondale Guineas'' * SpongeBob – ''1st Waikato Guineas'' * More Wonder – ''5th

, 4th Auckland Guineas, 4th

, 5th

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. ...

, 4th Haunui Farm WFA Classic'' * Lincoln Falls – ''4th Uncle Remus Stakes, 5th

, 5th Waikato Guineas''

Subsequent performances

Crown Prosecutor was only 9th in the

Rosehill Guineas The Rosehill Guineas is an Australian Turf Club Group One Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds at set weights run over a distance of 2000 metres at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney, Australia annually in March. Total prize money for t ...

and its best subsequent performance was 3rd behind Melody Belle in the Group 1 2019 Livamol Classic (2040m) Runner up in the New Zealand Derby, In A Twinkling who followed up with 5th in both the

Tulloch Stakes The Tulloch Stakes is an Australian Turf Club Group 2 Thoroughbred horse race, for three-year-old colts and geldings, at set weights, over a distance of 2000 metres, held annually at Rosehill Racecourse in Sydney Australia. Total prize money for th ...

and

Australian Derby Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Au ...

behind Angel of Truth won the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) in 2019 and 2020 and was 3rd in the 2020

Zabeel Classic The Zabeel Classic is a Group One Thoroughbred horse race run at weight-for-age over a distance of 2000 metres at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand. It is held on Boxing Day, a raceday steeped in tradition that frequently attracts in e ...

. 3rd placed Platinum Invader was behind In A Twinking in the same Australian starts but was later to achieve: * 1st in the Group 3 2020 City of Auckland Cup (2400m). * 2nd in the 2019 Manawatu Cup, Group 2 2020 Avondale Cup (2400m) and 2021 City of Auckland Cup. * 3rd in the 2019 Wanganui Cup, Group 1 2020

Auckland Cup The Auckland Cup is an annual race held by the Auckland Racing Club (ARC). It is an Open Handicap for thoroughbred racehorses competed on the flat turf over 3200 metres (two miles) at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand. The race was ...

and Group 2 2020

Herbert Power Stakes The Herbert Power Stakes is a Melbourne Racing Club Group 2 Thoroughbred horse race held under quality handicap conditions, for horses aged three years old and older, over a distance of 2400 metres. It is held at Caulfield Racecourse in Melb ...

(2400m). 4th placed Arrogant was 2nd in the

behind The Autumn Sun but could only manage 9th in the

. 5th placed Surely Sacred put on two worthy performances to be 4th in the Rosehill Guineas and 3rd in the Australian Derby. 8th placed Prise De Fer did not go to Australia but after a spell had 5 consecutive wins including the Group 2 2020 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) and Group 3 2020 Taranaki Cup (1800m) before a 2nd in the

Otaki-Maori Weight for Age The Otaki-Maori Weight For Age Stakes is a group 1 flat horse race held at Otaki racecourse in New Zealand, racing under the name El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic. History The race is held annually in February and is run under weight for age (WFA) ...

. It continued to be competitive in Group company. Although only 11th in the New Zealand Derby, The Chosen One went on to compete with distinction at the very highest level including: * 1st in the Group 1 2022

, Group 2 2019

, Group 3 2019

Frank Packer Plate The Frank Packer Plate is an Australian Turf Club Group One, Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds at set weights run over a distance of 2000 metres at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, Australia during the Autumn Carnival. Total prizemon ...

at Randwick, and Group 3 Manawatu Classic at Awapuni. * 2nd in the 2021 Herbie Dyke Stakes and 2020

Sydney Cup The Sydney Cup is an Australian Turf Club Group 1 Thoroughbred handicap horse race, for horses three years old and older, run over 3200 metres at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia in the autumn during the ATC Championships series and it is ...

. * 3rd in the 2020

Caulfield Cup The Caulfield Cup is a Melbourne Racing Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race held under handicap conditions, although the Melbourne Racing Club is in the process of turning the race into weight for age (WFA) conditions. This is for all horses ...

and 2020

. * 4th in the 2020

Melbourne Cup The Melbourne Cup is a Thoroughbred horse race held in Melbourne, Australia. It is a 3200-metre race for three-year-olds and over, conducted by the Victoria Racing Club on the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria as part of the Melbou ...

and 2019

References

{{Reflist