The Auckland Pacing Cup which is sometimes referred to as the Auckland Trotting Cup or merely the Auckland Cup is a race held at Alexandra Park in Auckland, New Zealand for Standardbred horses. It is one of the two major harness races, along with the New Zealand Cup, held in New Zealand each year for the highest grade (Open class) pacers. It is a Group 1 championship race and has been won by many of the champion pacers in New Zealand.

Cup history

For most of its history the Auckland Cup was raced in December, however at times it has been moved to other calendar dates such as: From 2022 it was moved to late May, on the same race-card as the Rowe Cup for Open Class trotters. The Northern Trotting Derby for 3 year old trotters is on the same night. Distance The Auckland Cup is currently run over 3,200 metres from a mobile start. The race started as a 3-mile event in 1890 to 1894 (inclusive) but it has traditionally been a 3,200m or 2 mile event apart from being a 2,700m journey for the races held from: Stake money The stake money for the Auckland Cup has fluctuated over the years: Famous winners Champion horses which have won the Auckland Cup include Hall of Fame inductees and champions like: The above horses went on to succeed in the United States and/or Canada. It has been uncommon for female horses (mares) to win the Cup, the most recent being: However the “Queen of the Park” Delightful Lady won the race twice, in 1980 and 1981.

Australian participation

As with the New Zealand Trotting Cup Australian trained horses sometimes make the journey to Alexandra Park, such as the following winners:

Records

Most wins by a driver: Most wins by an owner:

Winners list