Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile
{{Infobox horseraces
| class = Group I
| horse race = Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile
| image =
| caption =
| location = Alexandra Park
Auckland, New Zealand
| inaugurated = 1986
| race type = Standardbred - Flat racing
| website = {{URL|http://www.alexandrapark.co.nz}}
| distance = 1609m
| surface = Dirt
| track = Right-handed oval
| qualification = four-year-old horses
| purse = NZ $110,000 (2024)
}}
The Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile, often referred to as the "Noel Taylor Mile" or "Taylor Mile", is a Group One race for pacing horses raced at Alexandra Park, Auckland in New Zealand.
The Noel Taylor Mile is currently held over the distance of 1609 metres (one mile). From 2007 to 2018 it was raced over 1700m.
Traditionally the race was only for 4 year old pacers. However, from 2013 to 2015 the race was also open to five-year-olds. For the 2022 event it was opened up to all pacers.
As well as being a major event in its own right, it is also the key lead-up to the New Zealand Messenger run the following week.
The 2024 Noel Taylor Mile was won by the "free legged" nine-year-old Mach Shard, driven by a junior driver Crystal Hackett at odds of $151.
Race results
Previous winers and placegetters of the Noel Taylor Mile include:{{Cite web|url=https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs/major_races/major_race39.htm|title=HRNZ website - Taylor Mile (Group 1)|website=www.hrnz.co.nz|accessdate=Apr 8, 2025}}
class="wikitable sortable" | |||||||
style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:40px" | Year ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:45px"| Month ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:120px"| Winner ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:300px"| Owner(s) ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:140px"| Driver ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:90px"| Time (distance) ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:120px"| 2nd ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:120px"| 3rd | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | Apr | We Walk By Faith | Dennis and Mark Dunford | Matthew White | 1:51.6 (1609m) | Republican Party | Rakero Rocket |
2024 | Apr | Mach Shard{{Cite web|url=https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/151-to-1-upset-in-sensational-taylor-mile/|title=$151 upset in sensational Taylor Mile - Harnesslink|first=Brad|last=Reid|date=April 26, 2024}} | Mrs K J Purdon, Mrs C Nausbaum, Mrs T L Whittaker | Crystal Hackett (J){{Cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/crystal-hacketts-stunning-win-in-110k-taylor-mile-shocks-nz-racing/QLC3HFQ4M5AEVDV6VW23DK2QJU/|title=From last to first: Junior driver's shock win at Alexandra Park|date=May 5, 2024|website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/hacketts-fairytale-win-with-mach-shard/|title=Hackett's fairytale win with Mach Shard|website=www.hrnz.co.nz|accessdate=Apr 8, 2025}} | 1:53.9 (1609m) | Don't Stop Dreaming | Merlin{{Cite web|url=https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/opening-200m-is-key-to-merlins-taylor-mile-chances/|title=Opening 200m is key to Merlin's Taylor Mile chances - Harnesslink|first=Michael|last=Guerin|date=Apr 26, 2024|accessdate=Apr 8, 2025}} |
2023 | Apr | Akuta{{Cite web|url=https://www.alexandrapark.co.nz/blog/mark-nathan-purdon-quinella-group-1-dawson-harford-limited-taylor-mile/|title=Mark & Nathan Purdon quinella the Group 1 Dawson Harford Limited Taylor Mile|first=Carole|last=Jost|date=Apr 23, 2023|website=Alexandra Park|accessdate=Apr 8, 2025}} | Cullen Breeding Limited, Mark Purdon | Mark Purdon | 1:53.80 (1609m) | Self Assured | Better Eclipse |
2022 | Apr | Spankem | Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, Breckon Racing Syndicate, J A Gibbs MNZM, Mrs A Gibbs, G A Woodham, Mrs K J Woodham | Natalie Rasmussen | 1:52.22 (1609m) | Hot And Treacherous | Self Assured |
2021 | Apr | Copy That | M W & Mrs M T Butterworth | Maurice McKendry | 1:54.57 (1609m) | Bad To The Bone | Steel The Show |
2019 | Apr | Spankem{{Cite web|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/racing/spankem-strong-chance-taylor-mile|title=Spankem strong chance in Taylor Mile|first=Jonny|last=Turner|date=Apr 26, 2019|website=Otago Daily Times Online News|accessdate=Apr 8, 2025}} | Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, Breckon Racing Syndicate, J A Gibbs MNZM, Mrs A Gibbs, G A Woodham, Mrs K J Woodham | Natalie Rasmussen | 1:53.4 (1609m) | Turn It Up | Mach Shard |
2018 | Apr | A G's White Socks | G P Hope, P G Laboyrie, P I Baken, Mrs V M Robertson, W R Stewart, Mrs C L Stewart, A R Pullar, Mrs B E Pullar | Ricky May | 2:00.3 (1700m) | Eamon Maguire | Star Galleria |
2017 | Apr | Lazarus{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/91817208/its-all-too-easy-for-lazarus-as-he-takes-out-the-taylor-mile|title="It's all too easy for Lazarus as he takes out the Taylor Mile"|website=www.stuff.co.nz|accessdate=Apr 8, 2025}} | Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, T G Casey, K J Riseley | Mark Purdon | 2:00.0 (1700m) | Waikiki Beach | Golden Goddess |
2016 | Apr | Field Marshal{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/79250131/field-marshal-shows-high-speed-in-mile-win?videoId=6330142826112|title="Field marshal shows high speed in mile win"|website=www.stuff.co.nz|accessdate=Apr 8, 2025}} | Mrs SA Brown, S B Brown | Dexter Dunn | 1:59.5 (1700m) | Tas Man Bromac | Robbie Burns |
2015 | Apr | Mossdale Conner | A G Affleck | Maurice McKendry | 1:58.1 (1700m) | Border Control | Ohoka Punter |
2014 | May | Besotted | Lincoln Farms | Simon Lawson | 2:00.0 (1700m) | Elios | Adore Me |
2013 | Apr | Christen Me | C J Roberts, V L Purdon | Dexter Dunn | 2:01.5 (1700m) | Gold Ace | Bettor Cover Lover |
2012 | Apr | Terror to Love | T McDonald | Anthony Butt | 2:03.3 (1700m) | Bettor Cover Lover | Gold Ace |
2011 | Apr | Gomeo Romeo | L T Henwood | David Butcher | 2:04.0 (1700m) | Smiling Shard | Mach Banner |
2010 | Apr | Second Wind | G M Adlam | Gavin Smith | 2:02.9 (1700m) | Sleepy Tripp | Bonavista Bay |
2009 | Apr | Auckland Reactor | Auckland Reactor Ltd | Blair Orange | 2:01.8 (1700m) | Georgetown | Pembrook Benny |
2008 | Apr | Changeover | A.T.C. Trot 2006 Syndicate | David Butcher | 2:03.7 (1700m) | Gotta Go Cullen | Mr Molly |
2007 | Apr | Divisive | C E Rixon | Peter Rixon | 2:00.9 (1700m) | Power Of Tara | Monkey King |
2006 | Apr | Mainland Banner | Ian Dobson,{{Cite web|url=https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/vale-ian-dobson-2/|title=Vale Ian Dobson - Harnesslink|date=Oct 16, 2023|accessdate=Apr 10, 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/300990819/harness-racing-icon-ian-dobson-finds-finishing-line-on-the-morning-of-his-90th-birthday|title=Stuff|website=www.stuff.co.nz|accessdate=Apr 10, 2025}} S J Dobson, Lynne Umar | Ricky May | 1:55.1 (1609m) | Baileys Dream | Hippity Hop |
2005 | Apr | V For | L Taylor, Mike Berger | Philip Butcher | 1:55.7 (1609m) | Romeos Legend | Likmesiah |
2004 | Apr | Elsu | Mrs J Walters/Double Up Synd/Est D Hudson/Mrs P Small | David Butcher | 1:55.0 (1609m) | London Legend | Miracle Man |
2003 | Apr | Just An Excuse | O Haines, Mrs I K Haines | Todd Mitchell | 1:55.6 (1609m) | All Hart | Jagged Account |
2002 | Apr | Alert Motoring | Robert Reid Syndicate | Brent Mangos | 1:54.1 (1609m) | Eagles Together | Franco Heir |
2001 | Mar | Cool Hand Luke | R S Croon/M Purdon/T R Vince/J H Seaton | Tony Herlihy | 1:55.6 (1609m) | Tupelo Rose | Dancingonmoonlight |
2000 | Mar | Mac De Stroyer | N F MacFarlane, Mrs L M MacFarlane | Todd Macfarlane | 1:54.6 (1609m) | Pocket Me | Classic Turbo |
1999 | Apr | Ho Wong | Mrs Susan McKendry | Maurice McKendry{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/maurie-mac-talks-methven-and-the-taylor-mile/|title=Maurie Mac talks Methven and the Taylor Mile|website=www.hrnz.co.nz|accessdate=Apr 9, 2025}} | 1:55.7 (1609m) | New York Fella | Homin Hosed |
1998 | Apr | Scuse Me | J S Dalgety, Mrs V L Purdon | Frank Cooney | 1:53.5 (1609m) | OK Royal | Kate's First |
1997 | Apr | Agua Caliente{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/vale-agua-caliente/|title=Vale Agua Caliente|website=www.hrnz.co.nz|accessdate=Apr 10, 2025}} | D S & Mrs D E J Short, Mrs D E Woods, Miss S M Short | Glen Wolfenden | 1:56.4 (1609m) | Captain Rufus | Acknowledge |
1996 | Feb | Surprise Package | Mrs K J Purdon | Tony Herlihy | 1:55.6 (1609m) | Il Vicolo | Grinaldi |
1995 | Feb | The Suleiman | J P Green, T G Garelja | Michael Langdon | 1:57.0 (1609m) | Rare Touch | Ermis |
1994 | Feb | Hitchcock | L Christensen, W Pengelly, J Richardson, N Taylor | Maurice McKendry | 1:57.6 (1609m) | Montana Vance | Camberley Octane |
1993 | Feb | Tigerish | L A Turner, Mrs P L Turner | James Stormont | 1:58.7 (1609m) | Kurahaupo Lord | San Sabriel |
1992 | Feb | Abdias | J Butcher, Mrs C M Butcher | Philip Butcher | 1:55.0 (1609m) | Tartan Clansman | Air Supply |
1991 | Feb | Christopher Vance | R R Reid, Lorna Reid Syndicate, Mrs J C Reid | Tony Herlihy | 1:55.4 (1609m) | Mark Hanover | Franco Ice |
1990 | Feb | Defoe | Club Classic Lucky 7 Syndicate | Robert Mitchell | 1:56.9 (1609m) | National Glory | Franco Gold |
1989 | Feb | Kiwi Supreme | J M Cunningham | Stephen Dove | 1:57.4 (1609m) | National Image | Speed King |
1988 | Mar | Elmer Gantry | T Milina, R Evans | Tony Milina | 1:56.7 (1609m) | Tax Credit | Bold Sharvid |
1987 | Apr | Jay Bee's Fella | P R Smythe | Peter Wolfenden | 1:56.8 (1609m) | Lord Lenny | Sharlene's Pride |
1986 | Mar | Master Mood | K L Williams, Mrs B A Williams, S F Wong, F B Wong | Kevin Williams | 1:57.5 (1609m) | Quiet Touch | Kurahaupo Eden |
Other major races
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- Auckland Trotting Cup
- Dominion Handicap
- Great Northern Derby
- New Zealand Messenger
- New Zealand Trotting Cup
- New Zealand Trotting Derby
- New Zealand Free For All
- Rowe Cup
- The Race by betcha
- Inter Dominion Pacing Championship
- Inter Dominion Trotting Championship
- Miracle Mile Pace
{{div col end}}