The New Zealand Sires Stakes 3yo Final is an event for 3-year-old pacing horses in New Zealand.[1] The race is one of the major harness races in New Zealand and is contested by the top three-year-old horses, who have to qualify in heats run throughout New Zealand in the preceding six weeks.
| Group I race | |
| Location | Addington, New Zealand Christchurch, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1984 |
| Race type | Standardbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1950m |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | Left-handed oval |
| Qualification | Three-year-old horses |
| Purse | NZ$138,000 (2023) |
Until 2021 it was run on the same day as the New Zealand Trotting Cup. After no race in 2022, the 2023 event was moved to May.
Records
Most wins by a driver:
- 6 - Mark Purdon (1994, 2001, 2007, 2015, 2020, 2021)
- 5 - Natalie Rasmussen (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023)
- 3 - Anthony Butt (1995, 2004, 2008)
- 3 - Tony Herlihy (1991, 2002, 2006)
- 3 - Maurice McKendry (1987, 1993, 2009)
Winners list
| Year | Horse | Owner | Driver | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Don’t Stop Dreaming | I D Dobson, D M Dunford, M D Dunford | Natalie Rasmussen | 2:19.8 (1980m) |
| 2022 | No race | |||
| 2021 | Franco Indie | Alabar (NZ) Ltd, Nevele R Stud Ltd et al | Mark Purdon | 2:20.2 (1980m) |
| 2020 | It's All About Faith | D M Dunford, M D Dunford | Mark Purdon | 2:21.9 (1980m) |
| 2019 | One Change | All Stars Racing Stables Limited, M R Woodlock, T G Casey | Natalie Rasmussen | 2:21.9 (1980m) |
| 2018 | Ultimate Sniper | Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, G R Douglas, P J Creighton, Mrs M C Creighton, K J Riseley | Natalie Rasmussen | 2:19.0 (1980m) |
| 2017 | Chase Auckland | Alabar Racing Syndicate | Natalie Rasmussen | 2:16.1 (1950m) |
| 2016 | Ultimate Machete | Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, G R Douglas, K J Riseley, P J Creighton, Mrs M C Creighton | Natalie Rasmussen | 2:16.5 (1950m) |
| 2015 | Lazarus | Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, T G Casey, K J Riseley | Mark Purdon | 2:19.2 (1950m) |
| 2014 | Have Faith in Me | D M Dunford, M D Dunford | Tim Willams | 2:17.3 |
| 2013 | Tiger Tara | R L and Mrs J A Sandford, J S Gould, G R Dunn | Gerard O'Relly | 2:19.7 |
| 2012 | Franco Nelson | Spreydon Lodge Ltd, Ms Sharon McKay, Rona McKay, Clive McKay | Craig Thornley | 2:20.7 |
| 2011 | Texican | A J Wakefield, Dr S M Wakefield | Dexter Dunn | 2:20.6 |
| 2010 | Gold Ace | Ms W A Reid, D G Moore, M Ng, D D Syndicate | Peter Ferguson | 2:22.0 |
| 2009 | Sir Lincoln | Lincoln Farms Ltd | Maurice McKendry | 2:19.7 |
| 2008 | Stunin Cullen | T McDonald, E C Griffin | Anthony Butt | 2:18.3 |
| 2007 | Auckland Reactor | A J Parker, Mrs P R A Parker | Mark Purdon | 2:21.9 |
| 2006 | Fergiemack | The Royalmarie Breeding Syndicate | Tony Herlihy | 2:20.4 |
| 2005 | Pay Me Christian | M C Paget, others | David Butt | 2:21.9 |
| 2004 | Tribute | Joan and Peter Cocks [2] | Anthony Butt | 2:20.6 |
| 2003 | Roman Gladiator | Mrs A D Swain, Mrs M Neil | Colin De Filippi | 2:20.4 |
| 2002 | Maheer Lord | R M Baker, J A MacKinnon | Tony Herlihy | 2:23.8 |
| 2001 | Jack Cade | J H Seaton, M Purdon | Mark Purdon | 2:24.0 |
| 2000 | Franco Heir | Dalcom Corporation Pty Ltd | John Hay | 2:22.4 |
| 1999 | Stars And Stripes | C N Radford, Mrs J Z Radford | Ken Barron | 2:22.8 |
| 1998 | Courage Under Fire | G W Brodie | Colin De Filippi | 2:22.9 |
| 1997 | Christian Cullen | I D Dobson, Mrs D A Dobson, B A O'Meara | Ricky May | 2:27.5 |
| 1996 | Franco Enforce | W J Francis | John Hay | 2:26.1 |
| 1995 | Spirit of Zeus | M R & B G Marlow/B A O'Meara/I D Dobson | Anthony Butt | 2:26.5 |
| 1994 | Il Vicolo | J H Seaton, M Purdon | Mark Purdon | 2:27.9 |
| 1993 | Motoring Magic | C Hadley, G Haworth, Mrs D Hadley | Maurice McKendry | 2:27.5 |
| 1992 | Laud | G G Helleur, A A Helleur | Peter Jones | 2:30.1 |
| 1991 | Chokin | Pacers Australia Synd | Tony Herlihy | 2:27.3 |
| 1990 | Talk About Swift | C W McLachlan | Robert Cameron | 1:59.5 |
| 1989 | Honkin Vision | V L Devery, Mrs D L Devery | Henry Skinner | 1:57.4 |
| 1988 | National Glory | K & Mrs J McDonald, R & Mrs R Dunn | Robert Dunn | 1:57.7 |
| 1987 | Dillon Dean | K Burley, D Dwyer | Maurice McKendry | 1:58.6 |
| 1986 | Megatrend | E N Crawford, A A Kennett | Jack Carmichael | 1:58.9 |
| 1985 | Sir Alba | R D Teahen, D P Teahen | Richard Brosnan | 1:57.4 |
| 1984 | Arveeae | V L, R J & A T Devery | H W Skinner | 1:59.1 |