2019 New Zealand Derby

The 2019 New Zealand Derby was a horse race which took place at Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday 2 March 2019. It was the 144th running of the New Zealand Derby, and it was won by Crown Prosecutor. With a dividend of $105.40 for a $1 win bet, it is considered the biggest upset in Derby history.[1]

Crown Prosecutor was bred by Hesket Bloodstock in Victoria, Australia and was bought for A$50,000 at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. He is owned by Huntingdale Lodge 2012 Ltd (managed by Harvey Green) and JML Bloodstock Ltd (Lib Petagna) and is trained by Stephen Marsh in Cambridge.

Although he had won the Wellington Stakes at Group Three level in November, Crown Prosecutor had been disappointing in two subsequent starts and had the highest odds in the 18-horse Derby field.[2]

Ridden by Craig Grylls, Crown Prosecutor raced fiercely in the early stages of the race but settled into a good position trailing the leaders. He was travelling smoothly approaching the home turn and quickened to take the lead in the straight. In A Twinkling, who had a wide run throughout the race, nevertheless provided a stern challenge in the last 200 metres. But Crown Prosecutor refused to let him pass and held him out by a head. It was a first New Zealand Derby victory for Marsh and Grylls. Marsh had two runners in the race, with ninth-placed Vernanme considered the better chance as third favourite.

It was another near-miss for In A Twinkling's trainer Jamie Richards and owners Te Akau Racing. Since winning the race in 2017 with Gingernuts), they have finished second two years in a row. Mongolianconqueror was beaten by a nose by Vin De Dance in 2018.