Championship Stakes
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| Group II race | |
|---|---|
| Championship Stakes | |
| Location | Ellerslie Racecourse Auckland, New Zealand |
| Inaugurated | 2006 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | Ellerslie |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2100m (10.5 furlongs) |
| Track | Turf, right-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | Set-Weights |
| Purse | $100,000 |
 |
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The Championship Stakes, run at Ellerslie Racecourse is the main lead-in race to the New Zealand Derby on the same track.
When the Derby was moved from December to March in the 2005-06 season, the race was set up to be run on the second Saturday in February, two weeks before the Derby. Before this the race had been restricted to fillies only.
Both the first two winners of the race went on to win the Derby. Red Ruler, the 2008 winner, finished 8th in the Derby after failing to handle the wet track.
[edit] Winners of the Champtionship Stakes
| Year |
Winner |
| 2008 | Red Ruler |
| 2007 | Redoute's Dancer |
| 2006 | Wahid |
