Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile
| Class | Group I |
|---|---|
| Location | Alexandra Park Auckland, New Zealand |
| Inaugurated | 1986 |
| Race type | Standardbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| 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
[edit]Previous winers and placegetters of the Noel Taylor Mile include:[1]
| Year |
Month |
Winner |
Owner(s) |
Driver |
Time (distance) | 2nd |
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[2] | Mrs K J Purdon, Mrs C Nausbaum, Mrs T L Whittaker | Crystal Hackett (J)[3][4] | 1:53.9 (1609m) | Don't Stop Dreaming | Merlin[5] |
| 2023 | Apr | Akuta[6] | 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[7] | 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[8] | 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[9] | 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,[10][11] 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[12] | 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[13] | 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
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "HRNZ website - Taylor Mile (Group 1)". www.hrnz.co.nz. Retrieved Apr 8, 2025.
- ^ Reid, Brad (April 26, 2024). "$151 upset in sensational Taylor Mile - Harnesslink".
- ^ "From last to first: Junior driver's shock win at Alexandra Park". The New Zealand Herald. May 5, 2024.
- ^ "Hackett's fairytale win with Mach Shard". www.hrnz.co.nz. Retrieved Apr 8, 2025.
- ^ Guerin, Michael (Apr 26, 2024). "Opening 200m is key to Merlin's Taylor Mile chances - Harnesslink". Retrieved Apr 8, 2025.
- ^ Jost, Carole (Apr 23, 2023). "Mark & Nathan Purdon quinella the Group 1 Dawson Harford Limited Taylor Mile". Alexandra Park. Retrieved Apr 8, 2025.
- ^ Turner, Jonny (Apr 26, 2019). "Spankem strong chance in Taylor Mile". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved Apr 8, 2025.
- ^ ""It's all too easy for Lazarus as he takes out the Taylor Mile"". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved Apr 8, 2025.
- ^ ""Field marshal shows high speed in mile win"". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved Apr 8, 2025.
- ^ "Vale Ian Dobson - Harnesslink". Oct 16, 2023. Retrieved Apr 10, 2025.
- ^ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved Apr 10, 2025.
- ^ "Maurie Mac talks Methven and the Taylor Mile". www.hrnz.co.nz. Retrieved Apr 9, 2025.
- ^ "Vale Agua Caliente". www.hrnz.co.nz. Retrieved Apr 10, 2025.