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Levin Classic

{{Use New Zealand English|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox horseraces

| surface = Turf

| class = Group 1, Group 2 (2025-)

| horse race = Levin Classic

| image =

| caption =

| location = Trentham Racecourse, Wellington, (2014-)
Otaki Racecourse (1991-2012)
Levin Racecourse (1981-1990)

| inaugurated = 1981

| race type = Thoroughbred - Flat racing

| website = [http://www.levinracingclub.co.nz Levin Racing Club]

| distance = 1600m (1 mile), 1400m (2025-)

| track = Left-handed

| qualification = Three-year-olds

| weight = Set-Weights

| purse = NZ$400,000 (2025)

| bonuses =

}}

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 that facility was closed as a racing venue in 1990 and the race was transferred to nearby Ōtaki.

For more than a decade the race was sponsored by Bayer, and known as the Bayer Classic.

For much of its history, the race was run at Levin and then Ōtaki on the last Friday in November.

Concern began to grow in the 2000s about the race's close proximity to the New Zealand 2000 Guineas and New Zealand 1000 Guineas, both run in the second week in November. The three Group 1 3-year-old races over a mile in the New Zealand racing season were all run within the space of three weeks, leading to an inevitable dilution of quality of fields. From 2014 the Levin Classic was moved to Trentham Racecourse in Wellington and initially run as part of the Wellington Cup Carnival in January conducted by the Wellington Racing Club. In 2022 and 2023 the race was held in March but it was returned to January in 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/horowhenua-chronicle/news/levin-classic-gets-date-change-and-stake-hike-to-500000/J6I5E7PQQBDANE56F4X3HSNKJA/|title=Levin Classic gets date change and stake hike to $500,000|date=January 13, 2024|website=The New Zealand Herald }}

Notable winners

Among the most famous winners are:

Race results

class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"
style="width:38px" | Year

! style="width:140px" | Winner

! style="width:135px" | Jockey

! style="width:190px" | Trainer(s)

! style="width:80px" | Time

! style="width:120px" | Second place

! style="width:120px" | Third

2025{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/53294/7/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 7 TOP KAT ROOFING LEVIN CLASSIC at WELLINGTON RC on 11 JAN 2025 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}Savaglee 57Samantha SprattPam Gerard1:23.22 (good, 1400m)Kitty Flash 55Tardelli 57
2024{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/52466/6/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 6 CAMBRIDGE STUD LEVIN CLASSIC at WELLINGTON RC on 13 JAN 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}Quintessa 55Opie BossonMark Walker & Sam Bergerson1:35.76 (good)Zabmanzor 57Impendabelle 55
2023{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/51430/6/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 6 GEE & HICKTON FUNERAL DIRECTORS LEVIN CLASSIC at WELLINGTON RC on 18 MAR 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}Romancing The Moon 55Kozzi AsanoMark Walker1:37.13 (soft)Skew Wiff 55Luella Cristina 55
2022{{cite web | url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/50643/6/Race-Detail.aspx | title=Race 6 WELLINGTON SEAMARKET LEVIN CLASSIC at WELLINGTON RC on 19 MAR 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ }}Imperatriz 54.5Michael McNabJamie Richards1:36.43 (dead)On The Bubbles 56.5I Wish I Win 56.5
2021{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/49652/6/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 6 DEVAN PLASTICS LEVIN CLASSIC at WELLINGTON RC on 16 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}

|Bonham 54.5

|Lisa Allpress

|Johno Benner & Hollie Wynyard, Otaki

|1:37.67 (good)

|Brando 56.5

|Wild Moose 56.5

2020{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/48699/7/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 7 WOODRIDGE HOMES LEVIN CLASSIC at WELLINGTON RC on 11 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}

| Travelling Light 54.5

| Samantha Collett

|Ben Foote, Cambridge

|1:36.71 (good)

Harlech 56.5Riodini 56.5
2019{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/47604/7/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 7 FUSION ELECTRICAL LEVIN CLASSIC at WELLINGTON RC on 12 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}

|Madison County 56.5

|Matthew Cameron

|Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman, Cambridge

|1:35.89 (good)

Hypnos 56.5Vernanme 56.5
2018{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/46497/7/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 7 GRANT PLUMBING LEVIN CLASSIC at WELLINGTON RC on 13 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2018 (47th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand

|Age Of Fire 56.5

|Opie Bosson

|Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, Matamata

|1:36.63 (soft)

Belle Du Nord 54.5Savvy Coup 54.5
2017{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/45394/7/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 7 RANDWICK MEATS LEVIN CLASSIC at WELLINGTON RC on 14 JAN 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2017 (46th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand

|Hall Of Fame 56.5

|Opie Bosson

|Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, Matamata

|1:35.54 (good)

Saville Row 56.5Jon Snow 56.5
2016{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/44562/6/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 6 WOODRIDGE HOMES LEVIN CLASSIC at WELLINGTON RC on 16 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}

|Dukedom 56.5

|Lisa Allpress

|Steven Cole

|1:36.96 (good)

Son Of Maher 56.5Rangipo 56.5
2015{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/43485/7/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 7 AIB GROUP INSURANCE LEVIN CLASSIC at WELLINGTON RC on 17 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}

|Gaultier 56.5

|Michael Coleman

|Danica Guy, Matamata

|1:36.62 (good)

Sardaaj 54.5Huka Eagle 56.5
2014{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/42234/7/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 7 OCEAN PARK LEVIN CLASSIC (GROUP I) at WELLINGTON RC on 18 JAN 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}

|Recite 54.5

|Mark Du Plessis

|John Bary, Hastings

|1:36.10 (firm)

Franzac 56.5Aspen 56.5
2013No race held
2012{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/40787/8/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 8 LEVIN RACING CLUB LEVIN CLASSIC at LEVIN RC on 30 NOV 2012 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}

|Southern Lord 56.5

|Kelly Myers

|Alan Tait, Matamata

|1:34.63 (good)

Le Choix 56.5Soriano 55
2011{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/39690/9/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 9 LEVIN RACING CLUB LEVIN CLASSIC at LEVIN RC on 25 NOV 2011 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}

|Distill 56.5

|Robert Hannam

|Roydon Bergerson, Awapuni

|1:35.97 (good)

Randall 56.5Antonio Lombardo 56.5
2010{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/38256/9/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 9 LEVIN CLASSIC at LEVIN RC on 26 NOV 2010 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}

|We Can Say It Now 54.5

|Leith Innes

| Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge

|1:34.27 (good)

Blinding 54.5Lady Kipling 54.5
2009{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/37327/9/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 9 LEVIN CLASSIC at LEVIN RC on 27 NOV 2009 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}

|Eileen Dubh 55

|Jonathan Riddell

|Francis Finnegan, Woodville

|1:35.43 (good)

St Germaine 54.5Green Supreme 56
2008{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/36162/9/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 9 FIRST SOVEREIGN TRUST LEVIN CLASSIC at LEVIN RC on 28 NOV 2008 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}

|Altered Image 56

|Michael Coleman

|Michael & Paul Moroney, Matamata

|1:32.50 (good)

Spontaneous 56Izonit 56
2007{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/35182/9/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 9 FIRST SOVEREIGN TRUST LEVIN CLASSIC at LEVIN RC on 29 NOV 2007 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2008 (37th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand

|Keepa Cruisin 54.5

|Leith Innes

|Stephen McKee, Ardmore

|1:34.85 (good)

Run Like Al 56Satinka 54.5
2006{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/34075/9/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 9 AUTOMOTIVEPRYDE LEVIN CLASSIC at LEVIN RC on 30 NOV 2006 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}

|Porotene Gem 54.5

|David Walker

|Kevin Gray, Copper Belt Lodge

|1:40.10 (soft)

Jokers Wild 56Figueres 56
2005{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/33010/9/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 9 COURTESY FORD LEVIN CLASSIC at LEVIN RC on 24 NOV 2005 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}

|Wahid 56

|Hayden Tinsley

|Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth

|1:36.18 (dead)

Shikoba 53.5Izzat 56
2004 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2005 (34th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand

|Ambitious Owner 55.5

|Leith Innes

|Murray Baker, Cambridge

|1:34.77 (Good)

Fiscal Madness 55.5Magnetism 55.5
2003New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2004 (33rd edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand

|Russian Pearl 56

|Hayden Tinsley

|Bruce & Stephen Marsh, Woodville

|1:34.96 (soft)

Taatletail 53.5King’s Chapel 56
2002

|Bunker 56

|Opie Bosson

|Trevor & Stephen McKee, Takanini

|1:37.14 (soft)

Dane choice 56Cheerine Kid 56
2001

|Final Destination 53.5

|Gary Grylls

|Vannessa Hillis, Matamata

|1:34.9 (good)

Shinnecock 54Armondo 56
2000

|Tit For Taat 56

|Hayden Tinsley

|Wayne Herbert

|1:35.11 (good)

Star Satire 56Sir Clive 54
1999 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2000 (29th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Auckland, New Zealand

|Buzz Lightyear 56

|Opie Bosson

|Robert Priscott, Te Awamutu

|1:35.28

Domero 56Greatthings Happen 56
1998

|Tobruk 56

|Leith Innes

|Graham Richardson, Matamata

|1:37.67 (soft)

With Drawn 56Kaapeon 56
1997

|Love De Tor 53

|Greg Childs

|Michael Moroney, Matamata

|1:33.69 (good)

Foxwood 53Quality Kingdom 53
1996 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1997 (26th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand

|O'Reilly 55.5

|Lance O'Sullivan

|Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata

|1:35.74

High Return 55.5Rebel 55.5
1995

|Prussian Blue 55.5

|Shane Udy

|Davina Waddell, Pukekohe

|1:34.97 (good)

Anemos 56Super Crest 53
1994 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1995 (24th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand

|Avedon 55.5

|Darryl Bradley

|Felix Patrick Campbell, Awapuni

|1:34.81

Starcent 53Allegro 55.5
1993 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1994 (23rd edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Meadowset Publishing, Auckland, New Zealand

|Al Akbar 55.5

|Gary Grylls

|Chris Wood, Cambridge

|1:43.97 (heavy)

Western Red 55.5Facing The Music 53
1992

|Nimue 53

|Lance O'Sullivan

|Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata

|1:33.66

Kaaptive Edition 55.5Hula Strike 55.5
1991

|Veandercross 55.5

|Jim Walker

|Chris Turner, New Plymouth

|1:34.35

Overwhelmed 55.5Captain Cook 55.5
1990 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1991 (20th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand

|Eagle Eye 55.5

|Noel Harris

|Murray Baker, Woodville

|1:39.64

Sir Alberton 55.5Play On 55.5
1989

|Phillipa Rush 53

|Lance O'Sullivan

|Jim Campin, Cambridge

|1:36.20

Pumpernickel 55.5Status 55.5
1988

|Krona 55.5

|Peter Tims

|Roger McGlade, Taupo

|1:35.53 (good)

Straight Order 55.5Kate’s Myth 53
1987

|Young Indian 55.5

|Peter Tims

|Norm Morgan, Ruakaka

|1:35.75 (good)

Sound Belt 55.5Candide 53
1986New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1987 (16th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand

|The Bishop 55.5

|Maree Lyndon

|Don Couchman, Hawera

|1:36.78

Margarella 53Precocious Lad 55.5
1985

| Bonecrusher 55.5

|Jim Cassidy

|Frank Ritchie, Takanini

|1:36.90

French Polish 53Seadreamer 53
1984 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1985 (Fourteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand

|Princess Dram 53

|Maree Lyndon

|Neil Bradley, Hawera

|1:35.90

Avana 53Kingdom Bay 55.5
1983New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1984 (Thirteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand

|Burletta 53

| Jim Cassidy

|Felix Patrick Campbell, Hastings

|1:36.0

Eastern Bay 53Prince Ariba 55.5
1982

|Our Flight 53

|Maurice Campbell

|Errol Skelton, Levin

|1:36.2 (good)

Red Tempo 55.5Clansman 55.5
1981 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1982 (Eleventh edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand

|Altitude 55.5

|Stephen Autridge

|Bill Ford, Matamata

|1:36.00 (good)

Noble Heights 53Volare 55.5

See also

References

{{reflist}}

  • [http://www.racenet.com.au Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips]
  • [http://www.nzracing.co.nz LOVERACING.NZ - New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing]
  • [http://www.tab.co.nz TAB | Sports & Racing Betting Online in New Zealand]
  • [http://www.racebase.co.nz New Zealand Horse Racing Statistics and Information - RaceBase]
  • The Great Decade of New Zealand racing 1970-1980. Glengarry, Jack. William Collins Publishers Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand
  • New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1981 (Tenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand

Category:Horse races in New Zealand

Category:Flat horse races for three-year-olds

Category:Levin, New Zealand