Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile

The Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile is a Group One race for pacing horses raced at Alexandra Park, Auckland in New Zealand.

Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile
Group I race
LocationAlexandra Park
Auckland, New Zealand
Inaugurated1986
Race typeStandardbred - Flat racing
Websitewww.alexandrapark.co.nz
Race information
Distance1609m
SurfaceDirt
TrackRight-handed oval
Qualificationfour-year-old horses
PurseNZ $110,000 (2024)

It 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 event was won by the "free legged" nine-year-old Mach Shard, driven by a junior driver Crystal Hackett at odds of $151.

Race results

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Year
Month
Winner
Owner(s)
Driver
Time (distance)
2024 Apr Mach Shard[1] Mrs K J Purdon, Mrs C Nausbaum, Mrs T L Whittaker Crystal Hackett (J)[2] 1:53.9 (1609m)
2023 Apr Akuta Cullen Breeding Limited, Mark Purdon Mark Purdon 1:53.80 (1609m)
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)
2021 Apr Copy That M W & Mrs M T Butterworth Maurice McKendry 1:54.57 (1609m)
2019 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 1:53.4 (1609m)
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)
2017 Apr Lazarus Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, T G Casey, K J Riseley Mark Purdon 2:00.0 (1700m)
2016 Apr Field Marshall Mrs SA Brown, S B Brown Dexter Dunn 1:59.5 (1700m)
2015 Apr Mossdale Conner A G Affleck Maurice McKendry 1:58.1 (1700m)
2014 May Besotted Lincoln Farms Simon Lawson 2:00.0 (1700m)
2013 Apr Christen Me C J Roberts, V L Purdon Dexter Dunn 2:01.5 (1700m)
2012 Apr Terror to Love T McDonald Anthony Butt 2:03.3 (1700m)
2011 Apr Gomeo Romeo L T Henwood David Butcher 2:04.0 (1700m)
2010 Apr Second Wind G M Adlam Gavin Smith 2:02.9 (1700m)
2009 Apr Auckland Reactor Auckland Reactor Ltd Blair Orange 2:01.8 (1700m)
2008 Apr Changeover A.T.C. Trot 2006 Syndicate David Butcher 2:03.7 (1700m)
2007 Apr Divisive C E Rixon Peter Rixon 2:00.9 (1700m)
2006 Apr Mainland Banner I D Dobson, S J Dobson, Lynne Umar Ricky May 1:55.1 (1609m)
2005 Apr V For S L Taylor, M G Berger Philip Butcher 1:55.7 (1609m)
2004 Apr Elsu Mrs J Walters/Double Up Synd/Est D Hudson/Mrs P Small David Butcher 1:55.0 (1609m)
2003 Apr Just An Excuse O Haines, Mrs I K Haines Todd Mitchell 1:55.6 (1609m)
2002 Apr Alert Motoring Robert Reid Syndicate Brent Mangos 1:54.1 (1609m)
2001 Mar Cool Hand Luke R S Croon/M Purdon/T R Vince/J H Seaton Tony Herlihy 1:55.6 (1609m)
2000 Mar Mac De Stroyer N F MacFarlane, Mrs L M MacFarlane Todd Macfarlane 1:54.6 (1609m)
1999 Apr Ho Wong Mrs S E McKendry Maurice McKendry 1:55.7 (1609m)
1998 Apr Scuse Me J S Dalgety, Mrs V L Purdon Frank Cooney 1:53.5 (1609m)
1997 Apr Agua Caliente D S & Mrs D E J Short/Mrs D E Woods/Miss S M Short Glen Wolfenden 1:56.4 (1609m)
1996 Feb Surprise Package Mrs K J Purdon Tony Herlihy 1:55.6 (1609m)
1995 Feb The Suleiman J P Green, T G Garelja Michael Langdon 1:57.0 (1609m)
1994 Feb Hitchcock L Christensen/W Pengelly/J Richardson/N Taylor Maurice McKendry 1:57.6 (1609m)
1993 Feb Tigerish L A Turner, Mrs P L Turner James Stormont 1:58.7 (1609m)
1992 Feb Abdias J Butcher, Mrs C M Butcher Philip Butcher 1:55.0 (1609m)
1991 Feb Christopher Vance R R Reid, Lorna Reid Syndicate, Mrs J C Reid Tony Herlihy 1:55.4 (1609m)
1990 Feb Defoe Club Classic Lucky 7 Syndicate Robert Mitchell 1:56.9 (1609m)
1989 Feb Kiwi Supreme J M Cunningham Stephen Dove 1:57.4 (1609m)
1988 Mar Elmer Gantry T Milina, R Evans Tony Milina 1:56.7 (1609m)
1987 Apr Jay Bee's Fella P R Smythe Peter Wolfenden 1:56.8 (1609m)
1986 Mar Master Mood K L Williams, Mrs B A Williams, S F Wong, F B Wong Kevin Williams 1:57.5 (1609m)

Other major races

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Reid, Brad (April 26, 2024). "$151 upset in sensational Taylor Mile - Harnesslink".
  2. ^ "From last to first: Junior driver's shock win at Alexandra Park". NZ Herald. May 5, 2024.